New Publication: Legal Pluralism in Southeast Asia

A new publication entitled "Diverse Paths to Justice: Legal Pluralism and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Southeast Asia" has been released by Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), Forest Peoples Programme, the Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC), and Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI). Demonstrating that legal pluralism is "at the heart of Indigenous peoples' struggles", this fascinating compilation includes a range of articles by leading...

Read More

Exploring Native Land Rights in Sabah

Harry Jonas and Holly Shrumm (Natural Justice) attended a symposium entitled "Sabah Native Land Rights: Issues, Challenges and the Way Forward". Chaired by Dr. Jacqueline Pugh-Kitingan (UMS Kadazandusun Chair), it was hosted by the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) School of Social Sciences from 30-31 January in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. The opening keynote was delivered by YAA Tan Sri Richard Malanjum (Chief Justice, High Court of Malaysia)....

Read More

Kalpavriksh Newsletter on Biodiversity and Livelihoods

The latest edition of People in Conservation, the newsletter of the Kalpavriksh Environment Action Group, focuses on biodiversity conservation and livelihood security. The introductory editorial carefully analyses current methods of agricultural production and concludes by arguing, "to avert a humanitarian crisis of major proportions, new agri-food systems (production and access to food) are desperately needed – to ensure food security for all as...

Read More

Lamu Communities File Petition on Port

Lamu community members yesterday filed a legal petition at the Milimani Courts in Nairobi arguing that the Government of Kenya has violated several sections of the new constitution with its implementation of the proposed Lamu Port-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET). These violations include failing to provide information, consult the community, and carry out an environmental impact assessment. The case will be heard in Malindi on...

Read More

Understanding Community-Based REDD+

As REDD+ programmes begin to be implemented at the community level by UNREDD and the World Bank, it is critical that communities are fully informed about the projects and the rights and protections mandated under REDD. In this complex context the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) and the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) have produced a fantastic resource for communities, 'Understanding Community-Based REDD+: A Manual for...

Read More

Communities Legal Petition and Mass Action Against Port

On the 24th of January the communities of Lamu held a demonstration and press conference in protest against the Government of Kenya's plans to develop a major port in their territories without consulting and involving the communities in the process. The proposed port will have massive impacts upon the livelihoods of the Lamu communities and the incredibly rich biodiversity in the region. On the 25th of January, the communities will be filing a legal...

Read More

Natural Justice in 2011

From supporting the development and use of biocultural community protocols in three continents to engaging in law and policy across numerous national and international fora, 2011 was a very busy year for the Natural Justice team. Our chronological review of 2011 outlines the activities undertaken under the headings Community Work, Technical Advice, International Meetings & Negotiations, Communications, Legal Submissions, Publications, International...

Read More

Oro Verde Fairtrade and Fairmined Certification

Congratulations to Oro Verde on becoming only the second organisation to receive both Fairtrade and Fairmined Ecological certification for gold and platinum mining through FLO CERT, a leading fair trade organisation. The artisanal mining practices of Oro Verde the 25 mining units in Tadó-Chocó preserve the environment by not using chemicals and sustain the livelihoods of 120 individuals....

Read More

Save Lamu at the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission

Natural Justice partner, Save Lamu, successfully read and presented a memorandum on historical land injustices to the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission in Lamu, Kenya on the 9th January 2012. Save Lamu, a coalition of Indigenous communities of Lamu, has been working with Natural Justice to develop a biocultural community protocol (BCP) to call for transparency and full participation in the process of considering developing a mega-port...

Read More

Kinabalu Project Planning Meeting

On 13 January, Harry Jonas and Holly Shrumm (Natural Justice) joined partners Borneo Conservancy Initiative (BC Initiative) and Sabah Biodiversity Centre (SaBC) for a full-day planning meeting about the Kinabalu Biocultural Law Project, which is set to begin local work soon. Dr. Jamili Nais (Sabah Parks) and Dr. Agnes Lee Agama also joined the meeting for specific topics.Presentations and topics discussed throughout the day included: Projek Etnobotani...

Read More

New Book: Agrobiodiversity and the Law

As agricultural biodiversity deteriorates with increased reliance on fewer and fewer crop varieties, it is vital that policies to encourage the protection of crop genetic resources are considered and promoted. A new book by Juliana Santilli published by Earthscan, ‘Agrobiodiversity and the Law: Regulating Genetic Resources, Food Security and Cultural Diversity’, takes on this challenge. According to the online synopsis, "this book analyzes the...

Read More