Indigenous leaders from South America are raising awareness about the threats facing isolated peoples, also known as uncontacted people, at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. This forum, the largest gathering of Indigenous peoples worldwide, is taking place over 10 days at the U.N. headquarters in New York City. Representatives at the forum are shedding light on the encroaching deforestation in the Amazon that is endangering these communities, many of which lack official recognition and records of their existence.
Bushe Matis, the general coordinator of the Union of Indigenous Peoples of the Vale do Javari, emphasized the need for greater respect, protection, and land demarcation for isolated peoples. Despite international legislation such as the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the International Labor Organization’s Convention 169 guaranteeing their rights, these protections are often violated by states, companies, and invaders seeking land. Some countries like Venezuela and Paraguay even fail to recognize the existence of isolated peoples, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.
Isolated Indigenous peoples face threats from activities like illegal logging, mining, drug trafficking, and illegal mining in their territories. Contact with outsiders can be deadly due to their lack of immunity to common illnesses. Additionally, these threats can lead to their displacement and the disappearance of the resources they rely on for survival.
Indigenous leaders at the forum are advocating for the recognition of lands crucial for isolated peoples and the implementation of protective measures through public policies. Jamer López, the president of ORAU, highlighted the importance of securing the ancestral territories of isolated communities. However, in countries like Peru, the government’s policies prioritize economic interests over protecting these communities, hindering the establishment of Indigenous reserves.
In Colombia, despite having a decree to protect isolated peoples, there has been little implementation and no contingency plan in case of contact. Illegal miners and drug traffickers pose a significant threat to isolated communities, leading to violence, displacement, and encroachment on their lands.
It is crucial for South American countries to invest in investigations to identify and combat criminal groups threatening isolated peoples. States must recognize and guarantee the rights of all Indigenous communities, including those in isolation, to prevent further exploitation and displacement. The voices of Indigenous leaders at the U.N. forum are vital in advocating for the protection of these vulnerable populations and their ancestral territories. Venezuela is currently facing a challenge when it comes to recognizing and protecting Indigenous peoples in isolation. The country does not have established protocols in its constitution to acknowledge these communities, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and lack of rights. The Ministry for Indigenous Peoples in Venezuela did not respond to requests for comment on this issue.
The International Working Group for the Protection of Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact recently released a report outlining principles and guidelines to help governments, Indigenous organizations, and NGOs prove the existence of Indigenous peoples in isolation. According to the report, there are 188 records of Indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation in South America, but only 60 are officially recognized by the state. This lack of recognition denies the rights of these communities, as they are not included in official lists.
Delegates at a forum have called for the adoption of a territorial corridors initiative to protect isolated Indigenous peoples and their neighboring communities. They have urged governments to work with Indigenous organizations to implement policy actions with a cross-border approach to ensure the rights and territories of isolated peoples.
In a positive development, Colombia recently created a 2.7-million-acre territory to protect the Yuri-Passé Indigenous peoples living in isolation in the Amazon. This initiative highlights the importance of protecting the territories inhabited by these communities and the surrounding Indigenous peoples.
Julio Cusurichi, a Shipibo-Conibo Indigenous leader in Peru, emphasized the need for a control and surveillance system to protect Indigenous peoples in isolation in Peru. He stressed the importance of involving the participation of communities surrounding these reserves in monitoring and safeguarding these vulnerable populations.
Overall, recognizing and protecting Indigenous peoples in isolation is crucial for preserving their rights, territories, and well-being. It is essential for governments to work closely with Indigenous organizations and neighboring communities to ensure the safety and protection of these unique and vulnerable populations.
