INTER-AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
TO PROTECT THEM FROM CULTURAL GENOCIDE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2000
A copy of the amicus brief is available in PDF format, which can be read with a free copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader. A Spanish version of the Amicus Brief is currently being translated by CEDHA.
A Spanish version of this press release is also available.
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the Center for Human Rights and Environment (CEDHA) filed an amicus brief (or "friend of the court" brief) at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on behalf of the Wichi and four other indigenous communities in northern Argentina. The brief asks the Commission to grant precautionary measures to halt further development until the government of Argentina prepares an environmental impact assessment and consults with the indigenous peoples threatened by the development. The Wichi and other indigenous communities also have asked the Commission to enforce Argentina’s promise to honor their land claims. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 12th in Washington, DC.
The amicus brief urges the Commission to recognize
the symbiotic relationship between indigenous peoples and their land,
an important stepping-stone in efforts to strengthen the link between
human rights and the environment. The brief asks the Commission to take
precautionary measures forcing Argentine authorities to halt a road
and bridge project, and several other public works that threaten the
environment, culture, and lifestyle of the Wichi, Chorote, Chulupi,
Toba, and Tapiete indigenous communities of northern
Argentina. The road is designed to connect Brazil with Pacific ports
in Chile to facilitate the globalization of trade. The Wichi fear that
the road will bring heavy truck traffic and pollution, and will facilitate
the transmission of AIDS and other diseases.
The Wichi peoples depend on their environment for their food, their shelter, and their culture. "We are the earth’s flower" is a common Wichi phrase ("Ohapehen honhat lhawo"). The amicus brief demonstrates that work already underway in the Wichi traditional territory is disrupting the indigenous peoples hunting patterns, fishing resources, and natural habitat, and threatens their culture and ultimately, their very survival. An elderly Wichi explained that the development will leave a "wasteland, and we are in a hurry for the government to find a solution for us."
Durwood Zaelke, President of CIEL, stated that "This case represents an unfortunate pattern throughout the world. Unsustainable development projects are executed without any consultation or participation from the indigenous peoples whose environment, culture, and life are threatened."
Romina Picolotti, Executive Director of CEDHA stated, "The Wichi culture is a rare example of ‘sustainable development.’ In their culture, generosity—not greed—is a primary virtue. To be stingy is to risk being ostracized. This is a culture that has much to teach the world." Zaelke added that "Human rights law and environmental law must now join forces to protect these peoples before we lose one of the few remaining examples of sustainable living." Picolotti stated that "A favorable response from the Commission will set an important precedent for all indigenous peoples in Latin America." Lewis Gordon, special counsel to CIEL, also collaborated with CEDHA on the brief.
The Wichis amicus brief is the second of a series of briefs planned over the next year by CEDHA and CIEL to strengthen the links between human rights and the environment. Funding for the legal work is provided by the Goldman Foundation in San Francisco.
The first brief in the series was filed by CIEL and CEDHA before the Inter-American Human Rights Court last year on behalf of the Awas Tingni Mayagna (Sumo) indigenous community to support the community's efforts to halt the clear cutting of their traditional forest by a Korean multinational corporation. The case is still pending. CIEL also is working with the Maasai people in East Africa to fuse human rights and environmental law into a more effective legal system that the Maasai can use to protect their traditional culture from unsustainable development projects.
The Center for International Environmental Law, CIEL, is a public interest, not-for-profit environmental law firm founded in 1989 to strengthen international and comparative environmental law and policy around the world. CIEL provides a full range of nvironmental legal services in both international and comparative national law, including: policy research and publication, advice and advocacy, education and training, and institution building. For further information, visit CIEL's homepage at www.ciel.org.
The Center for Human Rights and the Environment, CEDHA, located in Córdoba Argentina, is the only non-governmental organization in Latin America uniquely dedicated to the defense and promotion of human rights and the environment, through the development and strengthening of the linkages between them. For further information, visit www.cedha.org.ar/cedha.htm.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Durwood Zaelke, President
Center for International Environmental Law
Phone: 202-785-8700
Fax: 202-785-8701
dzaelke@ciel.org
Romina Picolotti, Executive Director
Center for Human Rights and Environment
Phone/Fax: 54 3541 448854
romina@cedha.org.ar
Dick Reed
Reed Communications
Phone: 843-577-8070
Fax: 843-577-4012
reedmedia@hotmail.com
Proceed to the 12 October, 2000 Press Release
A copy of the amicus brief is available in PDF format, which can be read with a free copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader. A Spanish version of the Amicus Brief is currently being translated by CEDHA.
A Spanish version of this press release is also available.
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the Center for Human Rights and Environment (CEDHA) filed an amicus brief (or "friend of the court" brief) at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on behalf of the Wichi and four other indigenous communities in northern Argentina. The brief asks the Commission to grant precautionary measures to halt further development until the government of Argentina prepares an environmental impact assessment and consults with the indigenous peoples threatened by the development. The Wichi and other indigenous communities also have asked the Commission to enforce Argentina’s promise to honor their land claims. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 12th in Washington, DC.
The amicus brief urges the Commission to recognize
the symbiotic relationship between indigenous peoples and their land,
an important stepping-stone in efforts to strengthen the link between
human rights and the environment. The brief asks the Commission to take
precautionary measures forcing Argentine authorities to halt a road
and bridge project, and several other public works that threaten the
environment, culture, and lifestyle of the Wichi, Chorote, Chulupi,
Toba, and Tapiete indigenous communities of northern
Argentina. The road is designed to connect Brazil with Pacific ports
in Chile to facilitate the globalization of trade. The Wichi fear that
the road will bring heavy truck traffic and pollution, and will facilitate
the transmission of AIDS and other diseases.
The Wichi peoples depend on their environment for their food, their shelter, and their culture. "We are the earth’s flower" is a common Wichi phrase ("Ohapehen honhat lhawo"). The amicus brief demonstrates that work already underway in the Wichi traditional territory is disrupting the indigenous peoples hunting patterns, fishing resources, and natural habitat, and threatens their culture and ultimately, their very survival. An elderly Wichi explained that the development will leave a "wasteland, and we are in a hurry for the government to find a solution for us."
Durwood Zaelke, President of CIEL, stated that "This case represents an unfortunate pattern throughout the world. Unsustainable development projects are executed without any consultation or participation from the indigenous peoples whose environment, culture, and life are threatened."
Romina Picolotti, Executive Director of CEDHA stated, "The Wichi culture is a rare example of ‘sustainable development.’ In their culture, generosity—not greed—is a primary virtue. To be stingy is to risk being ostracized. This is a culture that has much to teach the world." Zaelke added that "Human rights law and environmental law must now join forces to protect these peoples before we lose one of the few remaining examples of sustainable living." Picolotti stated that "A favorable response from the Commission will set an important precedent for all indigenous peoples in Latin America." Lewis Gordon, special counsel to CIEL, also collaborated with CEDHA on the brief.
The Wichis amicus brief is the second of a series of briefs planned over the next year by CEDHA and CIEL to strengthen the links between human rights and the environment. Funding for the legal work is provided by the Goldman Foundation in San Francisco.
The first brief in the series was filed by CIEL and CEDHA before the Inter-American Human Rights Court last year on behalf of the Awas Tingni Mayagna (Sumo) indigenous community to support the community's efforts to halt the clear cutting of their traditional forest by a Korean multinational corporation. The case is still pending. CIEL also is working with the Maasai people in East Africa to fuse human rights and environmental law into a more effective legal system that the Maasai can use to protect their traditional culture from unsustainable development projects.
The Center for International Environmental Law, CIEL, is a public interest, not-for-profit environmental law firm founded in 1989 to strengthen international and comparative environmental law and policy around the world. CIEL provides a full range of nvironmental legal services in both international and comparative national law, including: policy research and publication, advice and advocacy, education and training, and institution building. For further information, visit CIEL's homepage at www.ciel.org.
The Center for Human Rights and the Environment, CEDHA, located in Córdoba Argentina, is the only non-governmental organization in Latin America uniquely dedicated to the defense and promotion of human rights and the environment, through the development and strengthening of the linkages between them. For further information, visit www.cedha.org.ar/cedha.htm.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Durwood Zaelke, President
Center for International Environmental Law
Phone: 202-785-8700
Fax: 202-785-8701
dzaelke@ciel.org
Romina Picolotti, Executive Director
Center for Human Rights and Environment
Phone/Fax: 54 3541 448854
romina@cedha.org.ar
Dick Reed
Reed Communications
Phone: 843-577-8070
Fax: 843-577-4012
reedmedia@hotmail.com
Proceed to the 12 October, 2000 Press Release