SURVIVAL INTERNATIONAL
Survival International is a community based organisation out of London which is working for tribal peoples throughout the world. We all have an awareness of the destruction of cultural diversity, but how can we be a part of the process of reconciliation between various peoples? The simple acts of voicing through letters our concerns for those groups can make a substantial difference. Governments tend to act in secrecy when dealing with the violation of human and cultural rights. We of the affluent west stand in solidarity with those who are suffering at the hands of a globalised world where multinational corporations and governments are acting out the dispossession and cultural genocide of peoples of diverse cultures. Loss of language and belief systems have been a feature of the last two centuries. Perhaps it is the acts of little people such as you and me who can make a difference. An African saying is that "If you think you are too small to make a difference lock yourself in a large room with a mosquito and try and get some sleep". Let us not let the powerful rest easy until humanity occurs in all forms of economic and political endeavours. Below is an update of Survival International’s current work. You can find their brochures at the Environment Centre. Call in and pick one up. Take the time to look at their web-site and send a bloody letter. Let’s make a difference and perhaps empower ourselves in the process. BRAZIL: good news in Raposa-Serra do Sol. Four tribes in northern Brazil - the Makuxi, Wapixana, Ingaricó and Taurepang - are on the verge of getting recognition of their land, Raposa-Serra do Sol, after the courts overturned an injunction preventing this. The land has long been invaded by ranchers, colonists and goldminers. Survival is urging the President to recognise the area urgently.http://www.survival-international.org/brazilnews0212.htm
BOTSWANA
: President declares 'more aggressive' approach to Bushmen. Botswana's president has taken out advertisements attacking Survival's work for Gana and Gwi 'Bushmen' evicted from their lands. He has also threatened to prosecute Bushmen who try to return, and said the removals will become 'more aggressive'. De Beers has threatened Survival with legal action for saying that diamonds are the root cause. The campaign is being stepped up.PAPUA: death threats to Papuan tribal leaders. Human rights activists and the Amungme tribal council in Papua have received death threats after participating in an investigation into shootings which killed two Americans and one Indonesian. The investigation implicated the Indonesian military. Take action on Survival's site.
SURVIVAL
: your letters work! Thank you to all Survival supporters who have sent letters, emails and faxes as part of our campaigns. Many of our campaigns in 2002 have made a huge difference to tribal peoples in concrete ways. Survival's work depends entirely on the support of the public. Without you telling those in power what you think, Survival can achieve little or nothing.http://www.survival-international.org/jarawanews0205.htm