IACHR confirms ‘rights violations’ against Isseneru Villagers

See Full PRESS STATEMENT) We, the Isseneru Village Council (IVC), wish to address the public following the publication of the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) report regarding our case filed on September 5, 2013.
This report marks a significant milestone in our pursuit of justice and the protection of our rights as an Indigenous community – whose rights have been grossly violated.
We approached the IACHR, arguing that the government had violated our community’s rights to property, quality before the law, justice and a fair trial, the protection of mothers and children, the preservation of health and wellbeing, and the enjoyment of cultural benefits—all protected by several Articles of the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man.
The IVC, on May 3, 2024, was informed of the IACHR’s decision to publish the final report on its petition—a step that marks the conclusion of the IACHR’s petition process. The report contains the IACHR’s conclusions that our internationally protected rights have indeed been violated and its recommendations or how to remedy these violations. The IACHR issued a decision in our favour back in December 2021, calling on the government, among other things, to take necessary steps to protect our rights and ensure unobstructed access to our territory.
The publication of this final report cements the IACHR’s decision, and as a community, we remain hopeful hat the recommendations will be implemented collaboratively and in a timely manner. The findings of the IACHR report underscore the challenges and injustices that our community has faced, particularly concerning our land rights and the impacts of unwanted extractive industries on our territory. These challenges have been longstanding and have had profound effects on our community’s
well-being and way of life. We wish to express our gratitude to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for their thorough investigation and commitment to upholding human rights, particularly those of indigenous peoples. The report not only validates our concerns but also provides important recommendations for addressing the issues we face.
As the Isseneru Village Council, we remain committed to engaging constructively with the government and other stakeholders to find solutions that respect our rights and protect our land and resources. We believe that dialogue and cooperation are essential in addressing the root causes of the issues highlighted in the report and ensuring a better future for our community.
We call upon the government to heed the IACHR’s recommendations and work collaboratively with us to implement measures that will safeguard our rights and promote sustainable development in our territory. We have since reached out to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Honourable Gail Teixeira requesting a meeting to determine the way forward.Moving forward, we hope that this report will serve as a catalyst for positive change and contribute to the realization of our aspirations for a future where our rights are respected, our culture is preserved, and our community thrives. The final report of the IACHR can be accessed here: https://www.oas.org/en/iachr/decisions/2024/GY_13.083_EN.PDF
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