Rights and protections

Indigenous people told us time and time again that they need specific laws and recognition of their territories to tackle the threats against them. Then, they said, those laws must be enforced. Finally, projects that affect Indigenous groups should require their consent.

However, more than 60% of the people we spoke to said their country was failing to uphold their rights. The reasons varied. Several felt that governments prioritised multinational companies over Indigenous people. Others pointed angrily to the number of frontline environmental defenders – many of whom are Indigenous – that are killed or disappeared around the world. There were 146 such deaths last year, according to Global Witness, a campaign group.

At least one person from every country was unhappy with their government, but the problem was most acute in Peru and Indonesia. In Peru, there was palpable anger from most people interviewed over the recent rollback of Indigenous rights and environmental laws. In Indonesia, people said that recognition of land rights in the constitution didn’t translate into protection on the ground, and one said that lands are often taken without their consent.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a 2022 Indigenous peoples’ law was seen as a step forward, but implementation had been patchy. It was a similar situation in Colombia, where Indigenous groups are recognised in the constitution, but their rights aren’t always enforced. Despite the promising actions of the government, Zully Nayibe Rivera – from the Nasa people – said there was still a long way to go in terms of recognising her territory.

Perspectives were mixed in Brazil, which is hosting the Cop30 climate conference in November. Several highlighted what they called “anti-Indigenous” forces in Brazil’s Congress. But many recognised the efforts of President Lula and the historic appointment of Sônia Guajajara as minister of Indigenous peoples – this gave them a sense of hope and empowerment.

Margarita Salas Tuno, 72 from Bolivia
Margarita Salas Tuno, 72
Tacana, Bolivia
They only give us half-hearted support, because the rights of us indigenous peoples are always being violated.
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Margarita Salas Tuno, 72 from Bolivia
Margarita Salas Tuno, 72
Tacana, Bolivia
They only give us half-hearted support, because the rights of us indigenous peoples are always being violated.We have a law where prior, free, and informed consultation should be a priority for indigenous peoples, and often there is no consultation.
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
Luara Sapará, 25 from Brazil
Luara Sapará, 25
Sapará, Brazil
Under the previous government we faced many difficulties. With this government, we’ve seen major advances.
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Luara Sapará, 25 from Brazil
Luara Sapará, 25
Sapará, Brazil
Under the previous government we faced many difficulties. With this government, we’ve seen major advances. Still, I believe no government will ever be fully committed, unless it is an Indigenous government representing us.
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
Erisvan Guajajara, 35 from Brazil
Erisvan Guajajara, 35
Guajajara, Brazil
Today we have a president who created the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, which is historic. But at the same time, we have an anti-Indigenous caucus in Congress.
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Erisvan Guajajara, 35 from Brazil
Erisvan Guajajara, 35
Guajajara, Brazil
Today we have a president who has aligned with the fight of Indigenous peoples, who created the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, which is historic. But at the same time, we have an anti-Indigenous caucus in Congress. So, at the same time, there is a strong, combative caucus that constantly seeks to destroy and strip away the rights of Indigenous peoples.
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
Papa Honoré, 48 from DRC
Papa Honoré, 48
DRC
Everyone says: "It is the Indigenous Pygmies who protect the forests." We hear it in the media, but this recognition of our right as guardians is not visible. We are guardians in the void.
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Papa Honoré, 48 from DRC
Papa Honoré, 48
DRC
Everyone says this: "It is the Indigenous Pygmies who protect the forests." We hear it everywhere in the media, on the radio and on television channels, but this recognition of our right as guardians is not visible. We are guardians in the void.
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
Papa Michaux, 50 from DRC
Papa Michaux, 50
Bofekalasumba, DRC
The DRC supports our rights. Since we received the documents for our forest concession from the local communities, even the authorities respect our rights, as do the operators.
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Papa Michaux, 50 from DRC
Papa Michaux, 50
Bofekalasumba, DRC
The DRC supports our rights. Since we received the documents for our forest concession from the local communities, even the authorities respect our rights, as do the operators.
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
Elvia Dagua, 54 from Ecuador
Elvia Dagua, 54
Kichwa / Quichua, Ecuador
The Ecuadorian government has never defended us and they never will. On the contrary, they simply call us 'lazy Indians'. Only through struggle, only through uprising, do they listen to us.
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Elvia Dagua, 54 from Ecuador
Elvia Dagua, 54
Kichwa / Quichua, Ecuador
The Ecuadorian government has never defended us and they never will. On the contrary, they simply call us 'lazy Indians' and want to come in and extract the oil. In order to do that, they have to sign contracts with the logging and mining companies. My government wants to destroy the places we have preserved. Only through struggle, only through uprising, do they listen to us.
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
Juliana, 23 from Indonesia
Juliana, 23
Anak Dalam, Indonesia
Indonesia still fails completely to respect the rights of indigenous peoples because our customary lands are often taken without our consent.
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Juliana, 23 from Indonesia
Juliana, 23
Anak Dalam, Indonesia
Indonesia still fails completely to respect the rights of indigenous peoples because our customary lands are often taken without our consent. Our voices are also rarely heard, perhaps because, as we can see, we are an illiterate tribe, so they just take our ancestral lands as they please
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
Erfan Fahliansyah, 23 from Indonesia
Erfan Fahliansyah, 23
Semende, Indonesia
If the Indigenous Peoples Act is approved, it may reduce or even eliminate the threats to the indigenous people. But if there is no legal umbrella, the threats will continue.
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Erfan Fahliansyah, 23 from Indonesia
Erfan Fahliansyah, 23
Semende, Indonesia
The threats to the indigenous people are increasing. If the Indigenous Peoples Act is approved, it may reduce or even eliminate the threats to the indigenous people . But if the law is not approved or there is no legal umbrella, the threats will continue — and could even lead to the disappearance of indigenous peoples.
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
Lenny Patty, 51 from Indonesia
Lenny Patty, 51
Ulath, Indonesia
Fourteen years after the law on the recognition and protection of indigenous peoples was passed, there has been no progress towards its ratification
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Lenny Patty, 51 from Indonesia
Lenny Patty, 51
Ulath, Indonesia
Many requirements imposed by the government have complicated the process of recognising and protecting indigenous peoples. Fourteen years after the law on the recognition and protection of indigenous peoples was passed, there has been no progress towards its ratification.
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
Herlinda Italiano, 26 from Peru
Herlinda Italiano, 26
Matsiguengua, Peru
Sometimes I see laws being passed, but many of them are not enforced. In other words, they pass laws that are sometimes just for show.
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Herlinda Italiano, 26 from Peru
Herlinda Italiano, 26
Matsiguengua, Peru
Sometimes I see laws being passed, but many of them are not enforced. In other words, they pass laws that are sometimes just for show. Or they are just on paper, but they are not implemented as they should be.
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
Ruth Buendía, 48 from Peru
Ruth Buendía, 48
Ashaninka, Peru
Since the creation of our country's constitution, Peru has always made indigenous peoples invisible.
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Ruth Buendía, 48 from Peru
Ruth Buendía, 48
Ashaninka, Peru
Since the creation of our country's constitution, Peru has always made indigenous peoples invisible, so to speak. Our indigenous peoples have always been invisible, despite everything we have experienced over thousands of years.
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
Mari Luz Canaquiri, 57 from Peru
Mari Luz Canaquiri, 57
Kukama Kukamiria, Peru
We have a special law, Convention 169, which says that states must respect the territory of peoples of different ethnicities. However, none of what it says is real.
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Mari Luz Canaquiri, 57 from Peru
Mari Luz Canaquiri, 57
Kukama Kukamiria, Peru
We have a special law, Convention 169, which says that states must respect the territory of peoples of different ethnicities. However, none of what it says is real. And apart from all that, we face major threats, such as in Amazonian waterways, and we are also experiencing the impact of illegal mining
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
Higinio Wanasedume, 34 from Venezuela
Higinio Wanasedume, 34
Yekuana, Venezuela
Since 1999, this government has, let's say, recognized the existence of indigenous peoples. I would say that we have the best Constitution, but the reality is different.
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Higinio Wanasedume, 34 from Venezuela
Higinio Wanasedume, 34
Yekuana, Venezuela
Since 1999, this government has recognized the existence of indigenous peoples. I would say we have the best Constitution, but the reality is different...each indigenous people has its own particularities, problems, and needs. In our case, the issue of health is fundamental and hasn’t been addressed.
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
Menca Yacame, 50 from Venezuela
Menca Yacame, 50
Baré, Venezuela
We will not be able to resolve the vulnerability of indigenous peoples through laws alone. If we do not organize ourselves, we will not be able to assert our rights.
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Menca Yacame, 50 from Venezuela
Menca Yacame, 50
Baré, Venezuela
We won’t be able to resolve the vulnerability of indigenous peoples through laws alone. If we don’t organize ourselves, we won’t be able to assert our rights. We’ve had violations within our community, We’ve had murders of indigenous youth, but has the state guaranteed these rights in cases of violations?
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
Guylain Mbale Mola, from DRC
Guylain Mbale Mola
Bikoro, DRC
We are particularly grateful for legislation on the protection and promotion of the rights of Indigenous Pygmy peoples in the DRC. However, the law suffers from a lack of concrete enforcement.
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Guylain Mbale Mola, from DRC
Guylain Mbale Mola
Bikoro, DRC
We are particularly grateful for the adoption of legislation on the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous Pygmy peoples in the DRC. However, this law suffers from a lack of concrete enforcement measures. The DRC is not complying. We should be represented in everything that is done in the country.
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
Marco Martínez, 51 from Ecuador
Marco Martínez, 51
Shuar, Ecuador
If you don't stand up, they absorb you. Our Indigenous guards travel the rivers and mountains. It's like the tiger: the tiger takes care of its physique, its environment, its territory.
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Marco Martínez, 51 from Ecuador
Marco Martínez, 51
Shuar, Ecuador
If you don't stand up, they practically absorb you. Our Indigenous guards go on missions, they travel the rivers, they travel the mountains. It's like the tiger, because the tiger takes care of its physique, its environment, its territory. It marks its territory, and we do the same. We mark if there are strange footprints, because we say, "let's see, who went for a walk in that territory?"
Dangers
worse same better n/a
Access to clean water
Threats against the community
Deforestation
Fires
Hunting, fishing & food access
Community health
Land rights
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