Rising Oceans: The life of Indigenous Peoples at Stake

On the day the Working group opened its 21st Session, the participants agreed that a new issue demanded immediate attention. Entitled "Human rights situation of indigenous people in states and territories threatened with extinction for environmental reasons," this new issue was added on the agenda (pt 6e).

People expressed concern about the consequences of global warming. For example, many Pacific countries and territories are facing the increasing threat of sinking below sea level. Other territories facing this threat include Cook Island, the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Maldives and Tuvalu. As many as seventy people leave Tuvalu each year due to the effects of global warming. This migration represents the increasing threat of global warming on both a human and ecological level.

Ms. Hampson, one of the Working Group members that initiated this debate, pointed out that even if she does not represent a large number of people, the international community cannot turn its back on her community. One other dimension of the problem is illustrated by the way certain states are dealing with this issue through their policies. On Diego Garcia (Chagos islands), the United States are still using the facilities and denying the Indigenous people the right on their lands.

If the inhabitants of these islands were to be relocated they would "lose their status as indigenous peoples because they will not be indigenous in the country receiving them" stated Ms. Hampson. On the same topic, Mr. Les Malezer from the Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action (FAIRA) added: "If the United Nations were to complete the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, then there would be a guarantee that they can survive as Indigenous Peoples. Why? Because they would have the right of self-determination, and that right would remain with them in the difficult period of relocation."

The capacity to deal and incorporate these new threats- partly independent from the human will-has been one of many significant issues during the Working Group sessions this week. Can the Working Group efficiently deal with the enlarging number of pressures facing indigenous people around the world? Mr. Guissé, another member of the Group, shared his concern about enlarging the scope and competences of the Working Group, which could potentially result in a loss of efficiency.

By: Jérôme Gygax and John Auran-Clapot

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