Protection of our common environment such as land, forest, and other strategic ecosystems, is in humanity’s common interest. Indigenous peoples and other local communities depend on and co-live with the forests and ecosystems, their well-being is typically bound to nature and territories, and their knowledge and presence is key in their protection. Indigenous and community environmental defenders suffer constant threats, persecutions and murders for defending their territories, land and forests against extractive companies, armed groups and environmental degradation.
Through promoting and acknowledging the complex connection between indigenous and local communities’ livelihoods, tenure rights, ways of living, knowledge systems and biodiversity, we will contribute to strengthening both the conservation of nature and strategic ecosystems and the protection and promotion of human rights.
Stories from the ground
From Soil to Communities: How Livelihoods Strengthen Human Rights
In the month of World Soil Day, the Norwegian Human Rights Fund (NHRF) commemorates a decade of tireless efforts led by environmental defenders and local communities in the conservation and regeneration of this vital resource of soil.
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Raising voices against human rights violations related to the mining industry
Communities in Asia, Latin America, and other parts of the world, are under constant pressure from the mining industry, which often undermines indigenous communities and threatens their livelihood. The NHRF has grantee partners in different continents working with communities affected by this and shares their perspectives and experiences in this article.
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Defending and Protecting life, Territories, Nature and Human Rights as a response to the Climate Crisis
Last year was the warmest on record, with climate change indicators reaching unprecedented levels. Despite being the most affected by its impacts, ethnic peoples and local communities raise proposals for how to handle this crisis.
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