A/79/160
may be subject to intimidation, criminalization, violence, detention, enforced
disappearance and extrajudicial killings. In the case of Indigenous Peoples in
voluntary isolation, it should be presumed that consent is not given.
48. In Kenya, Tullow Oil is preparing to extract and export crude oil, contaminating
watering holes frequented by mobile Indigenous Peoples and their livestock. 105 The
East African Crude Oil Pipeline, a megaproject of Uganda and the United Republic
of Tanzania, is having detrimental effects on Maasai pastoralists and Akie huntergatherers in the area. Although consultations with affected villages were initiated,
there is no formal structure to enable their participation. 106
49. In the Amazon, there was a 300 per cent increase in mining activity between 2015
and 2021.107 Legal and illegal mining, logging and agro-industries are threatening the
physical and cultural survival of Indigenous Peoples living in voluntary isolation and
initial contact, including the Yanomami in Brazil, 108 the Yuri and Passe’ and Jiw in
Colombia, 109 the Ayoreo in Bolivia (Plurinational State of) 110 and Paraguay, 111 the
Pacahuara, Toromona, Esse Ejja in the Plurinational State of Bolivia, and the
Dugakaeiri and Taromenane in Ecuador. 112 The Camisea gas project in Peru is causing
serious impacts to the health, lives, cultures and territories of Indigenous Peoples
living in voluntary isolation and initial contact. 113 In West Papua (Indonesia) and the
Andaman Islands (India), the mobility of Indigenous Peoples living in isolation is
threatened by a lack of recognition 114 of their rights and the impacts of mining,
commercial and tourism infrastructure.
50. In Mongolia, mining is harming herder ’s livelihoods, livestock, traditional
knowledge, water quality, pastures, sacred sites and cultural practices. Mining
chemicals are contaminating lands and waters, including the grasslands where
livestock feed. 115 Mining dust sticks to sheep, preventing herders from selling their
cashmere wool. 116 Although herders have rights to pasture usage and can address
disputes within local administrative frameworks, they cannot raise claims against
mining companies. 117 The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
expressed concern that mobile herders’ rights were infringed by mining activities in
their territory without their free, prior and informed consent, nor adequate
compensation. 118
51. In South America, sea nomads inhabit biodiverse coastal areas that they have
helped to conserve for generations. Even with the creation of a natural reserve, the
fragile ecosystem where they live is threatened by the environmental impact of fish
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108
109
110
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112
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Northumbria University submission.
Pilot Light Development Organization submission; Communication No. UGA 2/2023.
Secoya Indigenous Organization of Peru, Siekopai Nation of Ecuador, A'i Cofán de Sinangoe
Community, Santa Cruz de Piñuña Blanco Reservation (Po Piyuya) of the Ziobain Pueblo, Ceibo
Alliance Foundation, and Amazon Frontlines submission, joint submission .
Communication No. BRA 3/2021.
See https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/indigenouspeoples/sr/statements/
20240315-sr-ipeoples-oem-statement-colombia.pdf.
See A/HRC/11/11.
See CCPR/C/PRY/CO/4.
International Working Group of Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact submission.
Communication No. PER 4/2012.
A/HRC/52/8.
Virtual consultation on the situation of mobile Indigenous Peoples, organized by the University
of Oxford and the University of Arizona, 19 March 2024.
Permanent Forum side event on mobile Indigenous Peoples and the Dana Declaration, 19 April 2024.
University of Oxford joint submission.
E/C.12/MNG/CO/4.
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