By Lakhram Bhagirat
While acknowledging that almost all of the indigenous communities are affected by the negative impacts of mining, newly elected Chair of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Derrick John said that the Council has identified the rights violations in Chinese Landing and Isseneru as its immediate priority.
Both Chinese Landing, Region One and Isseneru, Region Seven have taken the government before international commissions seeking relief for the plethora of rights violations they say they have experienced and continue to experience.
The situation in Chinese Landing is particularly daunting. The community took its complaint to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UN CERD) arguing that violations of their rights are being perpetuated by both the government and miners who were granted permission to operate on titled, customary and sacred lands within their communities.