www.survivalinternational.org/news/5352

Thirsty Still: Santa delivers Xmas gift to Botswana government from Kalahari Bushman

Survival International
10 December


Santa Claus delivers a bottle of water to the Botswana High Commission, London. - © M. Cowan/Survival



Santa Claus made a special delivery to the Botswana High Commission in London today, UN Human Rights Day, on behalf of the Kalahari Bushmen.

Botswana officials received a gift-wrapped bottle of water labelled ‘Thirsty Still’, highlighting the fact that three years after the Kalahari Bushmen won a landmark court case affirming their right to live on their land, the Botswana government continues to deny them access to water.

The Bushmen took the Botswana government to court over their eviction from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in 2002, in what became the longest legal battle in the country’s history. On 13 December 2006, the Botswana High Court ruled that the evictions were ‘unlawful’ and that the Bushmen could go home.

Three years later, the Bushmen have launched new litigation over their right to access water in the reserve. The government is promoting tourism in the reserve, and has allowed a safari company to build a tourist lodge with a swimming pool. But the Bushmen are not allowed to access a single water borehole, and must make a 400km round trip to fetch water from outside the reserve.

On delivering the gift of bottled water to the Botswana High Commission this morning, Santa Claus said, ‘I wish the Botswana government a very Happy Christmas, and I sincerely hope it will make the Bushmen’s Christmas by allowing them to exercise their most basic human right, to access water on their own land.’


Act now to help the Bushmen
Your support is vital if the Bushmen are to survive. Writing a letter to the Botswana government is a quick and simple way to let them know of your concern.

--sample letter--

To: H.E. President Ian Khama
Office of the President
Private Bag 001
Gaborone
Botswana

[insert Date]

Your Excellency,

I am extremely concerned about the situation facing the Bushmen of the Kalahari.

After being forcibly removed from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, many Bushmen living in the resettlement camps are exposed to diseases including HIV/AIDS, which they never experienced before. Alcoholism and depression is widespread.

The High Court ruled that the evictions of the Bushmen were illegal and unconstitutional. I urge you to embrace the spirit of this ruling by allowing all of the Bushmen who wish to return home to do so, and by allowing them to hunt for food and to access their own water using the pre-existing borehole at Mothomelo, within the reserve.

Refusal to allow the Bushmen to use their existing borehole at Mothomelo can only be interpreted as a clear sign that you are determined to continue the past government’s misguided policy of keeping the Bushmen from returning home.

Yours sincerely,
[your full name and address]

--end sample letter--


____
© Survival International, 2010 Registered charity no. 267444 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit

www.survivalinternational.org/news/5359

Mining company’s scare tactics against human rights NGO

Survival International
14 December 2009


There have been repeated protests against Vedanta's planned mine. - © Satyabady Naik


Metals giant Vedanta Resources’ Indian subsidiary has launched an unprecedented attack on Survival International, apparently to drive its researchers out of an area where the company is planning to mine.

The mining company has falsely accused Survival of ‘forcedly interacting’ with the Dongria Kondh tribe who live around the area earmarked for mining, and of causing ‘unrest.’ Vedanta has prompted a police investigation into Survival, with officers making a late night visit to a hotel where they believed Survival researchers were staying.

Survival researchers were in the Niyamgiri area of Orissa, east India, to talk with members of the Dongria Kondh community whose future is threatened by a proposed Vedanta mine on their sacred mountain.

Pavan Kaushik, Vedanta Group’s head of corporate communications, wrote to journalists alleging that ‘foreign NGOs including Survival International… are provoking innocent tribal’s to defame the government and the company’. In the letter, he attacked ‘foreigners’ for ‘freely moving in the region’ and alleged that they were circulating ‘false information’. The letter also invites journalists to contact the regional Superintendent of Police, who is named as available for interview.

In September the British government ruled that Vedanta had repeatedly failed to respect the human rights of the Dongria Kondh, demanding a change in the company’s behaviour. The government asked Survival to report back on what steps Vedanta had taken to implement these ‘essential’ changes before the end of the year.

Gordon Bennett, a London barrister who represented the Kalahari Bushmen in their historic win over the Botswana government, has been acting on behalf of the Dongria Kondh in their complaint over Vedanta’s behaviour, and accompanied the Survival researchers.

He said today, ‘We have not circulated any false information about Vedanta’s mining activities. All the information we have given the Dongria has been culled from Vedanta’s own mining plan, which it has never troubled to discuss with the Dongria itself. We have not ‘forcedly interacted’ with the Dongrias: on the contrary we have been warmly welcomed by all those we have been able to meet.

‘We have not provoked ‘innocent tribals’ to defame either the government or Vedanta. It is true to say however that feelings run high in Niyamgiri and that many Dongria regard Vedanta with suspicion and distrust. They believe that their way of life is under serious threat.

‘We have done nothing to create ‘misunderstanding’. It is Vedanta which has done this, both by its refusal to meet with us, and more importantly by its repeated failure either to consult the Dongria about its plans for their sacred hills, or to pay any regard to their views.’

He added, ‘If Vedanta has nothing to hide, it is difficult to understand why it has gone out of its way to obstruct our inquiries. Their press release is entirely without foundation.’


Survival researcher Dr. Jo Woodman is available for interview in India on +91 9953 409 060. For other media enquiries please contact Miriam Ross on +(44) (0)20 7687 8734 or mr@survivalinternational.org


Vedanta’s letter to journalists

Foreign NGOs creating unrest in Lanjigarh

Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 17:14:18 +0530
From: “Pavan Kaushik” <pavan.kaushik@vedanta.co.in>

Dear Sir,

You may kindly like to go through the background below which is a serious matter as foreign NGOs are creating unrest in Lanjigarh and provoking people to talk against the government and the company. I would request if you could kindly depute some one to do this story please.. I have also mentioned the phone numbers of SP Kalahandi and also the COO of Vedanta in Lanjigarh for any reference or talking over phone please.

Ill be grateful if you could kindly take up this issue please.

Regards

Pavan Kaushik
Head – Corporate Communication
Vedanta Group
Phone: 9928844499

Foreign NGOs creating unrest in Lanjigarh

Recently the statement of Hon’ble Steel and Mines Minister of Orissa, Mr. Raghunath Mohanty, stating that ‘Not a single tribal family would be displaced due to this mining project’ and also that ‘No Dongria Kondha tribe live at the proposed mining area of Lanjigarh located between Rayagada and Kalahandi districts’ has been a lot unrest in the foreign NGOs who have been circulating a lot of false information about the entire mining activity in Orissa.

There has been a sudden movement of foreigners / foreign NGOs in Lanjigarh, Kalahandi district in the past few days. Strangely foreigners coming on tourist visa from countries like Italy, Germany, Australia, Denmark, UK etc. have become frequent and they are freely moving in the region. These people have been forcedly interacting with local tribals and disturbing their peace. A local NGO is supporting the visits. The local people have taken this very seriously and are opposing their entry into their region. The unrest has also got reported to local police authorities who are now looking into the matter of this sudden movement of foreign NGOs including Survival International. These foreign NGOs are provoking innocent tribals to defame the government and the company, Vedanta Group. This is being done to create misunderstanding and an environment of unrest before the visit of Central Team of MoEF that is scheduled to visit the Niyamgiri shortly.

The world is taking note of India starting bauxite mining after a gap of over 25 years. Once the bauxite mine at Niyamgiri starts, India will be placed as one of the largest aluminium producer in the world.

Niyamgiri range of hills has 250 sq. cm large foot print. The actual mineralization area in the proposed mining project is only 3.5% KM, that also having a depth of about 30 metres on the top. This truth has put a complete dent on the false information being circulated by these foreign NGOs that proposed mining will completely destroy the Niyamgiri mountain. Actually speaking, Bauxite extraction will actually benefit the environment, because it removes a hard rocky layer called laterite which would allow rain water to percolate deep inside the soil, increasing afforestation post-mining. Vedanta highlighted that with the use of best technology the plant is meeting all the required compliances in respect of air and water pollution, rather Lanjigarh Refinery is amongst the few in the world to have attained zero discharge status.

The Orissa government has constituted a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in the name of Lanjigarh Project Area Development Foundation (LDADF), with contribution of State Government as 25%, Orissa Mining Corporation as 26% and Sterlite Industries Ltd as 49%, as directed by the Supreme Court. The Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) – Southern Division is the Chairman of the Special Purpose Vehicle which on its first meeting itself decided to take up development projects worth Rs. 17.70 crore in the areas of health, education, road, infrastructure development that are required for the upliftment of Dongria and Kutia Kondha tribes, the Minister added.

Earlier, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, while granting permission vide the judgement dated August 8, 2008, had looked all aspects including tribal development, wild life impact, environment impact, and sustainable development in the area connected with this project, taking into account all arguments, and came to the conclusion that starting mining operation at Niyamgiri Hills, subject to fulfilment of all statutory requirement, will definitely give a boost to the development of the entire area. Since mining is an important source of revenue generation, such projects should be encouraged along with principle of sustainable development so that these areas can be brought to the main line, the Hon’ble Court had observed.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India also observed that there is abject poverty in the area and the area is lacking with regards to health, education, infrastructure, communication, to name a few. On the recommendation of the apex court, the Company agreed for investing 5% of the profit or Rs. 10 crore, which ever is more, from this project, for the developmental works within 50 km of the project area.

Vedanta has been saying this all along that bauxite is a hard rock that exists above 900 metres from the surface and therefore the Niyamgiri hills are neither crop nor inhabitants-friendly.

The bauxite-alumina project at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district in Orissa would initiate investment of over Rs. 10,000 crore by Vedanta. Over 5000 local people have worked to build the Lanjigarh Plant. Kalahandi district of Orissa is one of the most backward district in India and the project is expected to change the profile of the entire district bringing considerable direct and indirect employment, infrastructure development, community development, social-economic development and empowerment.

Mines are generally located in the remote areas and development of such projects not only bring prosperity of that area but also add considerable value to the State’s exchequer.

India is a mineral rich country and at par with countries like Canada, Australia, South Africa and Brazil. The minerals have contributed significantly to the GDP’s of these countries and have become alternative source of revenue to the government. The same model should work for India as well.

Regards

Pavan

You can speak to the following two people on the above:-
1. Chief Operating Officer of Lanjigarh, Dr. Mukesh Kumar. His mobile number is +91 9937251216.
2. SP Kalahandi is Mr. Manohar Das – +91 9437158022, 06670230207, 06670230216



Act now to help the Dongria Kondh
Your support is vital if the Dongria Kondh are to survive. If Vedanta Resources are allowed to mine the Dongria Kondh’s sacred mountain, their lives will be changed forever. Under the Indian ‘Forest Rights Act’, the Dongria Kondh have rights over the forest they live in, but these rights are being ignored by Vedanta, and by the Orissa government.
Please write to the Minister of Environment and Forests, urging him to uphold the Dongria Kondh’s rights and safeguard their future.

--sample letter--


To: Minister Jairam Ramesh
Minister of State (Independent Charge)
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Paryavaran Bhavan
CGO Complex, Lodhi Road
New Delhi – 110 003
India

[insert Date]

Dear Minister,

I am deeply concerned for the Dongria Kondh people of Niyamgiri in Orissa, India, whose land and future are threatened by Vedanta Resources’ and the Orissa government’s plan to mine their sacred mountain for bauxite.

Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, the Dongria Kondh have rights to use and protect parts of Niyamgiri. Vedanta’s mining project has completely ignored these rights, as have the clearances already issued by your ministry.

I also understand that Vedanta needed to get all the necessary clearances for the mine within a period of five years, which they have failed to do. All clearances for the project are therefore void and your ministry should revoke them.

I strongly urge you to order an immediate halt to the mining project, and to ensure that the Dongria Kondh’s rights are determined and enforced before the company is allowed to apply again for a mining licence.

Yours sincerely,
[your full name and address]

--end sample letter--


____
© Survival International, 2010 Registered charity no. 267444 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit

www.survivalinternational.org/news/5344

Last survivor of uncontacted Amazon tribe attacked

Survival International
9 December


The 'Man of the Hole's' house and garden where he grows manioc and other vegetables - © J.Pessoa


The last survivor of an unknown and uncontacted Amazon tribe has been targeted by gunmen.

The incident took place last month in Tanarú, an indigenous territory in the Amazon state of Rondônia, Brazil, but the news has only just emerged.

It is not known whether the Indian was in the direct line of fire or whether the shots were designed to scare him away. Ranchers in the area oppose government efforts to protect the man’s land, and are the most likely perpetrators.

Officials from FUNAI, Brazil’s Indian affairs department, discovered that its protection post had been ransacked and found empty shotgun cartridges nearby in the forest.

The police have investigated the incident, but nobody has been charged for illegal entry.

Altair Algayer, a FUNAI official, said, ‘This is a serious situation. The Indian’s life is being put in danger by the interests of the ranchers’.

FUNAI believes that the ‘Man of the Hole’ has survived the attack.

This name refers to the deep holes he builds to trap animals and to hide in. It is believed he is the only survivor of a tribe massacred by ranchers in the 1970s and 1980s.

The only known images of the ‘Man of the Hole’ were fleetingly captured by filmmaker Vincent Carelli in his film ‘Corumbiara’ which documents the genocide of the Akuntsu and other tribes in the region.

Stephen Corry, director of Survival, said today, ‘His tribe has been massacred and now the ‘Man of the Hole’ faces the same fate. The ranchers must allow this man to live out his last days in peace on his own land, and the authorities must do all they can to protect it’.

Survival’s Research Director Fiona Watson has been to the region and is available for interview


Act now to help the Uncontacted Indians of Brazil
Your support is vital if the Uncontacted Indians of Brazil are to survive.
Please write to the President of FUNAI (the Brazilian government’s Indian affairs department) expressing your concern for the Piripkura asking him to protect their land and ensure their safety.

--sample letter--

To: Dr Márcio Meira
President FUNAI
SEP Quadra 702 Sul
Edificio Lex, Bl A, 3º andar
70390-025
Brasília DF
Brazil

[insert Date]

Dear Dr Meira,

I am extremely concerned about the future of the last Piripkura Indians in Mato Grosso. I fear they will be wiped out unless FUNAI takes immediate action to protect them and their land.

I am aware that FUNAI has published a 'restriction order', which bans outsiders from entering the area. However, loggers continue to operate illegally on Piripkura land, destroying the forest and blocking their hunting trails. The risk of loggers transmitting fatal diseases to these isolated Indians or killing them is very high.

Therefore, I urge you to take all possible measures to demarcate and protect their land urgently. Time is running out for this small tribe and I fear that if nothing is done now they will disappear altogether.

Yours sincerely,

[your full name and address]


--end sample letter--


____
© Survival International, 2010 Registered charity no. 267444 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit

From: contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info
Subject: Happy Holidays from Leonard
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:24:04 -0800 (PST)

Greetings and happy holidays. I hope this letter finds you all enjoying the spirit of the season with family and friends. 

My August parole denial was appealed in short order. We are expecting a response to that appeal sometime very soon. It has occurred to me that the viciousness of this system knows no bounds, and so I believe strongly in the coming days we will hear of another loss, another denial. This one will be timed and intended specifically as a twisted Christmas present for me, such is the nature of those in charge. With no sense of balance, fairness, or decency, I await my own personal stocking stuffer.
 
We all know the so-called justice system of this country is more about revenge and retribution than finding true and just resolution. It doesn't take into account the plight of the wrongfully convicted, nor does it allow flexibility as human endeavors always require. This system has always been about making money at the top, furthering careers in the middle, and forgetting those at the bottom.

Their reason for denying my parole is that I refuse to admit guilt and show remorse for the deaths of two FBI agents. I know the righteousness of my situation. I know what I did and didn't do. I will never yield.

I also know what this country did and continues to do to me and many others. While they demand I make a false confession for the sake of my freedom, they show no remorse for the loss of much of my life, or the lives of Joe Stuntz and countless others they have murdered over the generations simply for being who they were. Those lives are meaningless when compared to their precious FBI, I guess. And now, some of the very ones responsible for the deaths and suffering of so many of my people, are peddling books and claiming to be a friend of the Indian. We've seen this before, and I'll speak more about this soon.

I remain proud of what I have stood for and mindful of what real justice is. In this season of love and forgiveness, please say a prayer for all of those who never knew justice and others who have such difficulty in finding it still today.

My love and my prayers go out to all of you.
Happy Holidays,

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,
Leonard Peltier