Indigenous leaders condemn exclusion from biodiversity talks, demand land rights

(Kaieteur News) – Indigenous leaders representing the Upper Mazaruni District Council (UMDC), the North Pakaraimas District Council (NPDC), the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC), and the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) issued a joint statement following the conclusion of the Global Biodiversity Alliance Conference in Georgetown, raising concerns over their exclusion from international decision-making processes and the ongoing violation of their land rights.

Addressing the media and public, Alma Marshall, chair of the UMDC and Toshao of Kamarang Village, highlighted the persistent struggles Indigenous communities face regarding territorial integrity and state-driven resource extraction.

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“Today I would like to make mention of the struggles that we go through as Indigenous people in the Upper Marshall District,” Marshall stated. “We have troubles with land, whereby lands are being given up for extractive activities, and I would like to say that the government of today needs to consult with the people, or with us the Indigenous people, whenever there are activities that are being taken. We would like to be a part of the decision-making processes, and the principle of free, fair, and informed consent is missing, and that is a concern to us people.”