Human Rights Violations at UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Survival International’s report on World Heritage Day 2024 accuses UNESCO of complicity in human rights abuses against indigenous communities in and around several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Allegations of Human Rights Violations:

• Nature of Violations: Indigenous lands being used for World Heritage Sites have seen torture, rape, illegal evictions and killings.
• List of Affected Sites:
  • Africa: Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Tanzania), Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo), and Odzala-Kokoua National Park (Republic of Congo).
  • Asia: Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex (Thailand), Kaziranga National Park (India), and Chitwan National Park (Nepal).

Who are indigenous people?

• Indigenous Peoples are distinct social and cultural groups that share collective ancestral ties to the lands and natural resources where they live, occupy or from which they have been displaced.
• The land and natural resources on which they depend are inextricably linked to their identities, cultures, livelihoods, as well as their physical and spiritual well-being.
• No official definition of “indigenous” has been adopted by any UN body, given the diverse nature of indigenous peoples.
• Indigenous peoples can be identified by the following characteristics:
  • They self-identify as Indigenous Peoples.
  • They have a strong link to particular territories and the surrounding natural resources.
  • They have distinct social, economic, or political systems.
  • They have a distinct language, culture, and beliefs.
  • They are politically and socially marginalized.

Issues faced by Indigenous people:

• Human rights violations: Indigenous people face many human rights violations, including violence, forced assimilation, abuse, marginalization, and dispossession of land.
  • They are also often denied control over their own development and lack equal access to basic social services.
• Poverty: They make up about 6% of the global population, but account for about 19% of the extreme poor.
• Education: Lack of education can affect Indigenous people’s future lives and job opportunities.
• Health: Indigenous people’s health is affected by their living conditions, income levels, employment rates, and access to safe water, sanitation, health services, and food.
• Natural environment: Indigenous people are among the first to face the direct adverse consequences of climate change.
  • Their livelihoods are affected by climate change, due to their dependence upon, and close relationship with, the environment and its resources.
• Internal displacement: Displacement can have profound effects on indigenous peoples, including loss of cultural identity, language, and traditional knowledge.
  • It can also lead to poverty, social marginalization, and health problems.
• Discrimination: Discrimination against Indigenous people can impact their rights to healthcare, dignified work, and political participation.

Steps Taken for the Protection of Indigenous People:

Global steps:

• UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: This declaration requires that indigenous peoples’ consent is obtained in matters that are important to their rights, survival, dignity, and well-being.
• UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII): This forum was established in 2001 to integrate indigenous peoples as participants with similar rights to states.
• Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP): This is a global institutional mechanism that promotes indigenous peoples’ rights.
• UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNSR): This is a global institutional mechanism that promotes indigenous peoples’ rights.

Steps taken by India:

• Constitutional provisions:
  • Articles 15(4) and 46 of the Constitution of India provide special protections for Scheduled Tribes.
  • Article 23 abolishes bonded labor and prohibits trafficking in human beings and forced labor.
  • Article 24 forbids child labor.
  • Fifth and Sixth Schedules recognize Indigenous Peoples’ right to land and self-governance.
• Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN).
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools.
• Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Vikas Yojana.
• Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana.

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