Prof Morgera contributes to UN event on SDG 16 and indigenous peoples’ rights

Apr 2021 — On 21st April 2021, Prof Elisa Morgera was invited by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) to contribute to an international event titled “Sustainable Development Goal 16 and Indigenous Peoples’ collective rights: The role of FAO in contributing to achieving peace and justice for Indigenous Peoples.” The event was part of the Twentieth Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).

 

Image by Darcey Beau via Unsplash 

The event featured introductory remarks by Anne Nuorgam, Chair of UNPFII, on land tenure insecurity affecting Indigenous Peoples, and a panel discussion on “Indigenous Peoples and peace: ensuring security of tenure and Indigenous Peoples’ governance systems and institutions.” Prof Morgera presented the key issues that are being addressed in a draft study for FAO on legal challenges and opportunities for the protection of Indigenous Peoples' collective rights to territories, lands and waters and other natural resources in the context of SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions). The study is being conducted also with inputs from One Ocean Hub colleagues in law, history and anthropology. 

Prof Morgera highlighted the need to focus not only on terrestrial resources, but also on marine areas and resources; and further analyse bottlenecks for the appropriate consideration of collective rights in the context of environmental impact assessments, environmental strategic assessments, consultations and fair and equitable benefit-sharing. 

In addition, Prof Morgera contributed inputs to a paper prepared by the FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit in collaboration with the FAO Development Law Service on FAO's role in contributing to the achievement of peace and justice for Indigenous Peoples, with a focus on criminalization and attacks to human rights and environmental defenders. 

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