Hon.
Samuel Hinds
Prime Minister of Guyana
June, 1st. 2000
Dear Sir:
I am writing to you on behalf of the World Rainforest Movement. The aim of this letter is
to
express our support to the Amerindian Peoples Association and to the affected
communities.
We firmly request the following:
· That Beal not be given an interim environmental permit to drain the wetlands and
mangroves in the area until a full, independent environmental impact assessment of the
area has been conducted and Indigenous peoples have participated in the EIA and its
recommendations;
· That a full social impact assessment be conducted by independent persons and that
Indigenous peoples fully participate in this assessment and the formulation of any
recommendations derived thereby;
· That all outstanding Indigenous land rights issues in the area be addressed and fully
resolved in accordance with international human rights standards prior to any sale of
land to Beal and prior to the demarcation of any buffer zone;
· That Indigenous land and other rights be guaranteed in a protocol to the Beal
agreement and that the means of enforcing those rights be spelled out therein;
· That relocation of Indigenous families from the area may only take place with their
prior
and informed consent and with the counsel of all and any advisors that they may choose.
The communities and families in the area have the right to legal counsel in any
discussions relating to relocation and compensation;
· Should the families agree to relocation, that they be given collective title to an area
of
land contiguous to other titled Indigenous communities and that they be constituted as an
Amerindian Village, with a Village Council, under the Amerindian Act.
We would like to request the Government to ensure and respect the Indigenous Peoples
rights and to respect the environmental protections that are in place.
Hoping to hear a positive answer, sincerely;
Address:
Hon. Samuel Hinds
Prime Minister of Guyana
Office of the Prime Minister
Whyte Lane
Georgetown, Guyana
Fax: 592-2-67563 |
