Dear Editor,
The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) wishes to continue to shed light on issues related to Amerindian lands, issues that have been widely discussed lately with the developments in Isseneru and Kako. It should be noted that the problems are not limited to these two villages.
At the beginning of April the APA was invited to a meeting in Taruka Village, Region 8, regarding the growing concerns of several villages in the region about their land situation. Present at the meeting were Toshaos, councillors and other representatives from five villages (Paramakatoi, Karisparu, Waipa, Kaibarupai and Taruka), many of whom had travelled for several days by foot or on ATV to participate.
The concerns raised were related to the growing pressure from external mining and logging interests on the people’s traditional lands, since it is known that the presence of these extractive industries often has negative social impacts on the local population. Most communities also reported that they are worried about the current government-driven land titling programme, as the extent of land they have been granted is not what they requested, and in many cases leave homesteads and farms outside the title. The community of Karisparu is still without title despite meeting the formal requirements and having applied to the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs twice since the late 1990s.
When participants of the meeting learnt about the developments in Isseneru and Kako, they also expressed strong support for their brothers and sisters in these communities. They were inspired by the commitment by these people to mobilize to protect their land. Consequently, the meeting concluded to continue discussions with the rest of the communities in Region 8 and thereafter to bring their concerns to the relevant authorities.
Given the limitations of the Amerindian Act 2006 and the government’s response to the situation in Kako, the communities fear that their problems will be disregarded on the grounds that the logging and mining occur outside village titles. The APA feels the need to remind the public and relevant authorities that Article 26 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples clearly supports indigenous peoples’ right to their traditional lands. As a signatory to this declaration it is about time that Guyana ensures that its provisions are reflected in national policy and legislation.
Yours faithfully,
Lawrence Anselmo
Amerindian Peoples Association
