E/CN.4/2003/90 page 24 minority. Others, when faced with social protest and political opposition, or in view of the cost of becoming involved in sustainable and human rights-centred development, prefer to close down their operations, withdraw their projects or abstain from making their investments.77 Still others, however, make use of different kinds of pressure (including violence or the threat of violence) to carry out their operations despite opposition. 69. Whereas human rights violations occurring in isolated cases may be dealt with successfully - or not - by the affected communities on an ad hoc basis, it is rather the long-term effects of a certain pattern of development that entails major violations of the collective cultural, social, environmental and economic rights of indigenous peoples. Within the framework of the globalized market economy the traditional environment becomes altered irreparably, non-renewable natural resources are destroyed and extracted exclusively for private gain, numerous communities and masses of people are uprooted, evicted or resettled with little or no regard to their actual needs and rights, sometimes accompanied by organized violence intended to intimidate, harass and make them comply with decisions taken by outside interests without or explicitly against their consent. Often, the same results are achieved through bribery, corruption and co-optation. 70. Whilst indigenous peoples have made important advances in recent decades, they are still considered in many countries as second-class citizens whose needs and aspirations are seldom taken into account by the powers that be. They are often denied effective political participation in Government and the electoral system, and their concerns are hardly being met by established political parties. Nor have local and national power structures been favourable to the empowerment of indigenous peoples. If their human rights are to be effectively protected, they must be able to participate freely as equal partners and citizens in the decision-making processes that affect their future survival as specific peoples.78 This also means that their voices must be heard and their demands and grievances be met when major decisions are taken at the national and international level regarding development priorities and the allocation of resources. This is not yet the case, and the Special Rapporteur hopes that the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues will be able to fill this void. 71. The human rights of indigenous peoples and communities must be considered of the utmost priority when development projects are undertaken in indigenous areas. Governments should consider the human rights of indigenous peoples a crucial factor when considering the objectives, costs and benefits of any development project in such areas, particularly when major private or public investments are intended. 72. Potential investors must be made aware at all times that the human rights of indigenous peoples should be a prime objective when investment decisions in development projects are made in such areas or are expected to affect indigenous peoples directly or indirectly. There can be no justification for ignoring them. 73. Sustainable development must be understood not only in terms of environmental management but also as respectful of human rights at all times, particularly of the human rights of indigenous peoples. Any development projects or long-term strategy affecting