Indigenous peoples should take control of the manufacturers’ resource development territories. This was declared by the UNO special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples James Anaya on the conference “Indigenous Peoples, Business and Environment” in Kirkenes, Norway, on February 9^th, according to the reporter of the Media center FINUGOR

According to J. Anaya, thanks to the active work on the protection of rights of indigenous peoples, the situation in the world has changed to the better. Industrial companies, conducting resources development on the territories inhabited by the indigenous peoples, admit of causing damage to them as a thing of the past. The state governments are also discussing legislative protection of the rights of indigenous peoples. “We can see, for example, that it is reflected in the official acts of the Russian Federation – the right of indigenous people for nature management. Still, unfortunately, all of us know the cases of violation of rights of indigenous people,”- remarked the UNO special rapporteur.

According to J. Anaya, at best, indigenous peoples are paid compensations for the violation of their traditional economic activities, connected with causing harm to the environment.

Indigenous peoples should at least be partners of industrial companies, if not take control of all the activities on the territories of their inhabitance. Thus they can be sure that their land is protected. It is undoubtedly a complicated pattern to put to practice.

 At present, indigenous peoples are mostly passive participants of the process. They are paid compensations, if the violation of their rights can be proved. However, even now there are patterns, implying a more active part of the indigenous peoples.

The future of the indigenous peoples is closely connected with the active participation in all the processes going on in the territories of their inhabitance. It concerns as well self-government and equal rights with companies,”- concluded the UNO special rapporteur.