UN wants to protect the interests of Amerindians in Guyana
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| Published on Saturday, September 6, 2008 |
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By Oscar Ramjeet
Caribbean Net News Special Correspondent
Email: oscar@caribbeannetnews.com
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The United Nations wants to ensure that the rights of Amerindians in Guyana are well protected
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has requested Guyana to provide information on measures taken to ensure that the informed consent of the indigenous communities is being sought for all mining projects on indigenous lands.
The letter signed by the Chairperson of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Fatima Binta Victoire Dah, was sent to Guyana's ambassador to the UN, Samuel Insanally.
The Stabroek News reported that the Committee would like to recall that the full rights of indigenous populations over their lands include the right to subsoil and it was against this background that the request was made
The Guyana government was also requested to provide an update on mining operations currently taking place in the North Pakaraima Mountain Area. The Stabroek News reported that Guyana has been invited to supply examples of jurisprudence, if any, in which indigenous communities have challenged decisions on land entitlement in court, and information on the role of customary law within national jurisdiction in this regard
The letter from the UN seeks extensive information on the implementation of the recommendations contained in its concluding observations adopted by it following consideration at its 68th session, of the initial to the 14th periodic reports of Guyana. | | | | Reads : 52 |
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