Ogoni have faced devastating effects of the presence of Shell Oil company in Ogoniland in Nigeria since the 1950s. They also face discrimination from the Nigerian government, which favors the oil company over the local community. Photo Credit: Spilled News
Category: Extractive Industries
Extractive industries are another source human rights violations against indigenous peoples. In his final (2013) report as the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya attributed this to the fact that a substantial amount of the remaining minerals and fossil fuels are found in indigenous peoples’ lands and territories. In most African countries, legal frameworks that are relics of colonialism heighten hardships of indigenous peoples. Specifically, laws provide that sub-surface resources are excluded from land rights and that once discovered, surface land rights come to an end, hence landowners must vacate it.
Pojulu vs. Nile Trading & Development
Nile Trading & Development, Inc. signed a land deal with the Mukaya Payam Cooperative allowing them questionable rights to obtain resources without the indigenous community’s consent.
Kunama v. Nevsun Mining
Four Eritrean-Kunama refugees are in the middle of a judicial battle in the Canadian court system against a Canadian-based mining company for alleged human rights violations at the Bisha Mine in Eritrea. As a result of the case, other investors are becoming skeptical about moving to Eritrea. Photo Credit: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters
Mbuti in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve
The Okapi Wildlife Reserve is home to indigenous Mbuti hunter-gatherers who help protect native species of the forest. Mbuti livelihoods are being threatened, though, by illegal poaching, mining and deforestation. Photo Credit: Monusco Photos
Rif vs. Jerada Mining
Jerada is a small mining town in the Al Hoceima region of Morocco. Rif people face horrible living conditions due to the government’s preference to allow extractive industries such as mining, rather than develop programs and services for Rif people. Photo Credit: Public Radio International