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Indigenous People’s Rights – The theory versus the reality

By kevodell on August 15, 2024 • ( 0 )

Lorna Ní Shúilleabháin, a former field volunteer with PBI in Guatemala, writes on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, August 9th, on the theory of Indigenous rights against the reality in Guatemala.

This year to celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we are exploring the rights of Indigenous peoples in Guatemala – where there are laws in place to protect Indigenous communities, but the reality is that these laws are not being enforced.

Approximately 43.75% of Guatemala’s population belong to Indigenous communities. Rights, laws and mechanisms exist to protect these Indigenous peoples. However, PBI has seen that these laws and mechanisms are not being implemented on the ground and Indigenous communities suffer grave human rights violations. From January to November 2023, the Unit for Protection for Human Rights Defenders (UDEFEGUA) reported 5,965 attacks against human rights defenders in Guatemala, with many of these being Indigenous defenders. Of the reprisals against defenders in Guatemala reported by the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre between 2015 and 2023, 42% were against Indigenous defenders. 37% involved a failing in the judicial system. In 28% of the cases, the attacked defender is fighting to defend their land against a mining company.

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On this International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we invite you to reflect on the numerous challenges faced by Indigenous communities around the globe. From land dispossession and cultural erasure to social and economic marginalisation, Indigenous peoples continue to confront significant obstacles. Despite these hardships, Indigenous human rights defenders persist in their brave and unwavering efforts to protect their land, culture, and communities.

At PBI, we deeply acknowledge and honour the extraordinary work of Indigenous rights defenders. Their relentless dedication and advocacy are crucial in the ongoing struggle for the protection and implementation of Indigenous peoples’ rights. As an organisation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting these defenders. We strive to create a world where Indigenous rights are not only recognised but also upheld and celebrated.

Let us use this day as an opportunity to amplify the voices of Indigenous human rights defenders and to reaffirm our solidarity with their cause. Together, we can work towards a future where justice, equality, and respect for Indigenous communities are realised.

The piece contains links where you can find out more information about the work of PBI in Guatemala, including to a summary of and the full report by the Independent Delegation of International Lawyers to Guatemala on agrarian conflict and Indigenous peoples’ rights in Alta Verapaz, featured here, previously. The piece also provides links to how to support PBI and the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Guatemala.

You can read the full article, here, Indigenous People’s Rights – The theory versus the reality.

GSN featured the above mentioned report, here, “We are not trespassers: this is our land” Agrarian conflict and Indigenous peoples’ rights in Alta Verapaz.