Sami activists and members of environmental and other non-governmental organizations took part in the rally and protest demonstration in Stockholm on May 18 against the expansion of mining in Sweden on the lands of indigenous people – the Sami. According to Marie Persson, a member of the Sami Parliament of Sweden, the event was attended by about 500 people. The rally was held at Sergel’s Square then the column passed to the train area.

The demonstrators were protesting both against the new projects of mining companies in Sweden, and against the Swedish law and the policy of the State Government which supports mining on the indigenous people lands.
In her speech at the rally M. Persson reported that in the village of Rennbek in the province of Västerbotten it is scheduled to begin a large-scale production of nickel. “We are gathered here in order to show that the controversy over the production issue is not finished. We will continue to examine the impact of this project on the mining, quarrying, mining legislation and policies of natural resources. The criticism comes from everywhere: from economists and from scientists, entrepreneurs, trade unions, politicians, the Sami Parliament, the UNO, the Ombudsman, church, environmental organizations, journalists, representatives of the older generation - the list is large and it is constantly growing. Today’s policy on mining threatens to deprive our children of nature, health, culture and other sectors of the economy, food and water. Internationally recognized rights of indigenous people are violated and opportunities for the conservation and development of the Sami communities are destroyed - while the Sami people are divided and they are only referred to in terms of money. It is time to stop this costly industry, to encourage production, and to invest more in recycling of resources and their use, which has a huge potential. But this sphere might hardly compete with the mining industry, which enjoys the support. We also need to strengthen the environment protection, proceed with caution and strive for sustainable development. It’s high time for the government and parliament to listen to us and get busy!”- she said.

According to her, environmental protection in Sweden is weak, taxpayers pay, ultimately, for the effects of air, water and agricultural products pollution. This also applies to companies venturing new projects. As a result, modern civilization continues to colonize and destroy the indigenous Sami people, whose culture is based directly on a few vital elements and types of farming.

“In Sweden there are mines already and there will be more mines, but there are also a rural and a northern Sweden, which want to live, to preserve nature, health, other fields and children. As a leading mining country Sweden should set an example for the world and show the way in the industry of mining. And it should not be mining at the expense of someone else,” - said the activist and urged citizens to influence the situation in Sweden through elections, which will be in plenty this year. “Come into contact with politicians and demand response and action,” - said M. Persson.

Photo Ingrid Enastående