Saxakali Magazine 2:1 Indigenous People Update: Guyana

Saxakali Magazine V2N1
Environmental Issues:

Amerindian Peoples Total Population: 45,000

The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) charged that there is a systematic pattern of abuse of Amerindians, particularly abuse of Amerindian women by police and soldiers stationed in interior communities. Police in the Orealla Amerindian reservation were arresting Amerindian women on false charges and sexually assulting them in the jail. The policemen were transferred out of the reservation but no investigation was carried out and no criminal charges were filed against any policemen. There is no independent body charged with looking into complaints of police brutality or abuse.

Amerindians live mostly in reservations and villages in remote parts of the interior. Their standard of living is much lower than that of most Guyanese, and their ability to participate in decisions affecting their lands, cultures, traditions, and the allocation of natural resources is virtually nil.

The Amerindian peoples have been living in Guyana since the earliest of historical times. Their are thus entitled to a recognition of their ownership of the land under the principle of Guyanese law, which accords title to Amerindian villages based on the principle of "Immemorial Occupation". In Annex C of the Treaty of Independence, there is a committment to recognise Amerindian lands.

However, present day Amerindian life is regulated by the Amerindian Act, legislation dating from colonial times. The government still holds title to 90 percent of the land claimed by Amerindians, and even travel to certain Amerindian areas requires government permission.

Several large leases and concessions of Amerindian lands were granted by the government, allowing mining and timber companies to operate on traditional Amerindian lands, often under contract and terms never made public. Amerindians displaced by these operations have no legal recourse. The APA calls for ceasing mining and logging operations in the vicinity of Amerindian communities, and for an Amerindian Lands Commission which would survey the region and hold open, public hearings to ascertain the land claims of Amerindians.

Contact:

Amerindian Peoples Association (APA)
71 Quamima Street, Georgetown, Guyana
(Ph: 70275; Fax: 592-2-61789)

Associacion Amerindian "Waiono"
P.O. Box 8522, Lelydorp, Suriname.

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