Without stronger protections, uncontacted Indigenous groups could vanish within a decade, experts say
Summary
A new report highlights that many uncontacted Indigenous groups across the Amazon and other regions face significant threats from activities like logging and mining. These groups are in danger of disappearing within the next decade unless stronger protections are enforced. The report stresses the importance of respecting these communities’ rights and maintaining their isolation to prevent harm.Key Facts
- A report from Survival International lists 196 uncontacted Indigenous groups in 10 countries.
- About 65% of these groups face threats from logging, 40% from mining, and 20% from agribusiness.
- Over 95% of uncontacted peoples live in the Amazon rainforest.
- These groups live by hunting, fishing, and small-scale farming, avoiding contact due to past violence and disease.
- Contacting these groups could bring diseases like the common cold, which can be deadly to them.
- International law requires "free, prior and informed consent" for activities on Indigenous lands, but this cannot be obtained from uncontacted groups.
- Past infrastructure projects, like roads and highways, have historically threatened these communities in the Amazon by attracting settlers and causing disease outbreaks.
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