International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (August 9): Protecting Indigenous Human Rights Defenders Worldwide

On the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) calls for the effective protection of indigenous environmental and human rights defenders worldwide. Many of them put themselves in great personal danger as they fight for the rights of their communities, the preservation of their territories, and the protection of the environment and climate. In various regions of the world, they are threatened and often attacked for doing so:

“We are currently concerned about Asháninka leaders in the border region between Brazil and Peru. On the Brazilian side, the Asháninka brothers Benki, Moisés, Wewito, and Francisco Piyãko, among others, are under threat. On the Peruvian side, the Asháninka Maria Elena Paredes and Arlindo Ruiz are under pressure. For their commitment to the rights of their communities, the protection of their territories, and the fight against illegal exploitation, they urgently need international attention and support,” explains Dr. Eliane Fernandes, STP’s Advisor on Indigenous Peoples. “After all, they are not just defending their own interests: forests and rivers, the climate, and biodiversity are the foundations of life that matter to all of us. Those who threaten them are thereby attacking our shared future.”

Our long-standing partner Jazmín Romero Epiayú in Colombia has been facing massive threats from armed groups for years. Tita Velásquez, also a Wayúu activist, regularly reports to us about intimidation and threatening phone calls. In Peru, Olivia Bisa Tirko, president of the Chapra Nation, receives death threats almost daily because of her commitment to protecting her territory and opposing oil extraction,” explains Jan Königshausen, STP’s Advisor on Indigenous Peoples. “This is part of a larger, alarming trend: More and more governments in South America want to facilitate access to natural resources and agricultural land. Those who oppose this exploitation are increasingly being targeted. Attacks on Indigenous human rights defenders are therefore not isolated incidents but rather a reflection of a political climate that systematically undermines the protection of Indigenous territories.”

In Russia, members of Indigenous Peoples who advocate for their rights have been systematically criminalized and silenced for years. If they have not already fled abroad, they face imprisonment. This is the case for Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt, whose pretrial detention was extended a few days ago until September 15. They have been unlawfully detained since December 17. Indigenous Crimean Tatars are also being persecuted and oppressed in Crimea, which Russia annexed in violation of international law. Although they make up no more than 12 percent of the population, they account for over half of the 351 political prisoners from Crimea currently held in Russian detention facilities. “We must not forget these people! The German federal government, the governments of European partner countries, and UN mechanisms must consistently and relentlessly advocate for their release,” demands Sarah Reinke, head of human rights work at STP.

The Maasai in Tanzania also face considerable risks in their efforts to defend their rights. “Human rights defenders who are fighting against the displacement of their communities and for the preservation of their land must be extremely cautious. Out of fear of repression or arrest, they keep a low profile, speak only to people they trust, and ask international partners like us not to publicly name them,” explains Laura Mahler, STP’s Advisor for Sub-Saharan Africa. Time and again, they are intimidated by official authorities. Some even feel compelled to leave Tanzania for safety reasons. “Their advocacy for the Maasai’s land rights is, however, vital—because with the loss of their land, they also lose their livelihoods, their culture, and their future,” says Mahler.

The STP therefore calls on the German government to strongly advocate with its partner countries for compliance with binding United Nations human rights conventions as well as ILO Convention No. 169 on Indigenous Peoples. The protection of indigenous communities and their representatives must be an integral part of German foreign, development, and human rights policy.

The full text of the appeal can be found here:

This press release was translated from German to English using AI. If you come across errors or ambiguities, please contact us at 65]G378o6DD6CA.