Poznan: Indigenous Rights Row Threatens Rainforest Protection Plan

Green groups accuse US, Australia, New Zealand and Canada of deleting lines on indigenous peoples' rights in draft agreement in Poznan on climate change and deforestation...

From: Buzzle.Com - December 09, 2008

Read Full Article: Indigenous Rights Row Threatens Rainforest Protection Plan

Talks aimed at finding ways to protect tropical forests in a new global deal on global warming hit problems today after a row over the rights of indigenous people. 

Green groups accused the US, Australia, New Zealand and Canada of deleting a line about indigenous peoples' rights from a draft agreement due to have been published tonight, as part of UN talks on climate change. 

The original confidential draft, seen by the Guardian, talked of "noting the rights and importance of engaging indigenous peoples and other local communities". 

The amended version mentions only "recognizing the need to promote the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities". The change sparked protests at the Poznan meeting by delegates representing indigenous groups from Panama and the US. 

Campaigners said the suggested change would leave indigenous people across the world vulnerable to exploitation under proposals to pay tropical nations not to cut down forests.

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