Indigenous Rights Continue to Be Violated Through Land Grabs

Throughout history, the United States has consistently engaged in the desecration of Native American land, culture, and practices. However, a groundbreaking study published this summer has shed light on the devastating impact of modern agricultural and industrial practices on Indigenous communities worldwide. This study conducted by researchers from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and other universities revealed that Indigenous people, who constitute only 6% of the global population, are negatively affected by one-third of all industrial development projects worldwide.

The study, published in the journal Science Advances, analyzed hundreds of Indigenous communities to examine the impact of large-scale land acquisitions by investors for agriculture and other industries. The findings revealed that mining, fossil fuels, agriculture, and livestock were the primary culprits in negatively impacting Indigenous communities through land loss and livelihood disruption.

The study’s multi-author statement highlighted the immense environmental burdens faced by Indigenous Peoples worldwide and emphasized the violation of Indigenous rights associated with these burdens. It called for governments to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against violations of Indigenous rights and urged the inclusion of compliance with the UN Declaration on Indigenous rights in trade agreements with involved companies.

Unfortunately, governments generally fail to adequately protect Indigenous communities from displacement. Although designated Indigenous lands exist in many countries, these lands are often swiftly seized for industrial purposes whenever the government deems it necessary.

Álvaro Fernández-Llamazares, co-author of the study, stressed the importance of governments’ adherence to Indigenous rights and the need for trade agreements to prioritize such compliance. He stated that governments should prioritize the rights of Indigenous communities and resist rolling back their protections.

Displacing Indigenous communities from their ancestral lands not only weakens their connection to their cultures but also significantly affects their well-being. For example, rampant deforestation in countries like Indonesia forces Indigenous people to relocate to cities under unfavorable conditions. In Brazil, violence and even acts of violence against Indigenous people are employed to seize their lands.

The United States has its own history of disregarding the rights of Indigenous people and their lands, even in the face of long-standing treaties. Former President Donald Trump, for instance, attempted to transfer sacred Indigenous lands to mining companies and proposed building a wall that would cut through Native American land.

It is essential that Indigenous communities be given autonomy and that efforts to protect Indigenous land be led by the communities themselves, as they are the ones most directly affected. Governments must take the preservation of Indigenous rights seriously.