United Nations



Advanced Unedited Version

Report of the International Expert Workshop on Indigenous Peoples and Protection of the Environment

Held in Khabarovsk krai, Russian Federation

27 – 29 August 2007

Contents

Paragraphs Page

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …….

I. Organization of work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A. Attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

B. Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C. Opening of the meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

D. Election of officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

E. Adoption of the conclusions and recommendations. . . . . . .

F. Closure of the Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

II. Highlights of the discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

III. Conclusions and recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Annexes

I Agenda for the International Expert Workshop

on Indigenous Peoples and Protection of the Environment. . . . . . . . . . . .

II. Documentation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

III. Attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Introduction

1. The International Workshop on Indigenous Peoples and the Protection of the Environment was held in Khabarovsk, Khabarovsk krai, Russian Federation, on 27 – 29 August 2007.

2. The International Workshop was co-organized by the Government of the Khabarovsk krai, the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East (RAIPON) and the Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), with support from the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation and the cooperation of the Government of the Russian Federation.

3. Since its second session, the UNPFII has made recommendations on environmental pollution. Therefore, this international workshop was timely considering the fact that in many areas of the world, indigenous peoples and their territories are vulnerable to man-made disasters. These include nuclear testing, nuclear disasters, chemical spillage, transboundary pollution, hydroelectric dams, forestry and mining industries, toxic dumping as well as global warming and contamination of waters and food supplies through waste and toxic chemicals. The effects of natural disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes and cyclones also contribute to the pollution of indigenous peoples’ traditional food sources.

4. The location of the international workshop in Kharbarovsk krai, in the Russian Federation was also an important factor because of the transborder contamination of the Amur River over the past fifteen years. The contamination not only jeopardizes the security of the population settled in the area of the river basin, but also has a major impact on the indigenous peoples’ livelihoods. The traditional lifestyle of indigenous peoples living in the region is tightly connected to the Amur River because fish is the main ingredient of their national dishes and the fish skin is used in making their traditional crafts. The contamination of the water bioresources by toxic substances endangers the culture and traditional lifestyles of indigenous peoples and also has a major impact on their health. For example, the growth of oncological diseases over the past ten years has claimed the lives of hundreds of indigenous peoples and there are still many affected by other serious diseases. The average life expectancy of indigenous peoples is 40 to 45 years, which is significantly less than the rest of the Russian population. Consequently, the contamination of the Amur River results in deterioration and irreversible consequences for indigenous peoples.

5. The UNPFII members, experts and participants expressed their appreciation to the Government of Khabarovsk krai, for sponsoring and hosting the international workshop. The co-organizers namely, the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East (RAIPON) and the Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Russian Federation were acknowledged for their generous support and cooperation.

6. The UNPFII members, experts and participants paid tribute to the indigenous peoples of the region for their traditional welcome which was warmly received by all the people who attended the Workshop.

I. Organization of work

A. Attendance

7. Some 80 persons participated in the workshop, including 2 Members of the UNPFIIs; indigenous experts from the Pacific, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, the Arctic, North America, and the Russian Federation; representatives of the Federal, Regional and Local Self-Government Authorities of the Russian Federation; representatives of UN Agencies; international financial institutions, funds and programmes; and national and international non-governmental organizations. The list of participants appears in Annex II of this report.

B. Documentation

8. The participants had before them a draft agenda and documents prepared by participating experts (see Annex I) . The papers that were presented are available on the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues website:

C. Opening of the meeting

9. An agenda was provided (see Annex 1) for the meeting. Mr Pavel Sulyanziga chaired the workshop and Mr Michael Dodson was elected as the Rapporteur for the workshop.

10. Welcome speeches were made by:

Mr Vladimir Ivanovitch Syrkin, Vice-Governor of Kharbarovsk krai

Mr Yuri Ivanovitch Onoprienko, Chairman of the Legislative Duma of the Khabarovsky krai

Mr Andrei Pozdnyakov, Russian Federation Government

Mr Alexander Sichenko, Russian Federation Ministry of the Regional Development

Mr Vladimir Skoropupov, Representatives of the Russian Federation State Duma, Vice-Chair Mr Arthur Chilingarov.

E. Adoption of the conclusions and recommendations

11. On 29 August 2007, the Workshop adopted, by consensus, the conclusions and recommendations contained in section III below.

F. Closure of the Workshop

12. The meeting was closed after the conclusions and recommendations were adopted in the final plenary held on 29 August 2007.

II. Highlights of the Discussion

13. Indigenous peoples share a spiritual connection with their environment which is enjoyed collectively and preserved for future generations. The lands and territories are integral to indigenous peoples’ spiritual practices, identity, and cultural heritage, political, social and economic livelihood. Therefore, it is no coincidence that many of the world’s biological diversity and genetic resources are found on lands occupied by indigenous peoples.

14. In many instances, due to colonization, occupation, mega projects, conflict and other reasons, indigenous peoples have been dispossessed of and/or forcibly removed from their traditional lands and sacred sites. The relationship between indigenous peoples and their environment has been further eroded over the years, due to development projects, mining and forestry activities, as well as agriculture programmes. As a result, environmental damage has been substantial: flora and fauna species have become extinct or endangered, unique ecosystems have been destroyed, and rivers and other water catchments have been heavily polluted.

15. The workshop was held in Khabarovsk, in the Russian Federation, a city situated on the banks of the Amur River which in some areas, forms the international border with the Peoples’ Republic of China. The workshop focus on pollution is integral to Khabarovsk krai because of the transborder contamination of the Amur River over the past fifteen years. Various experts gave extensive presentations on the transborder pollution and outlined how the contamination of the river has jeopardized the security of the population settled in the river basin; in particular, its impact on the indigenous peoples’ livelihoods as their economy is heavily based on fishing. Transborder contamination from toxic substances released from major development projects as well as oil spills pollutes the fish and other aquatic foods in the river.

16. A medical expert highlighted the fact that people’s health is one of the key constituents of the economic, social, and ecological well-being of a society and that he had observed that the adverse medical and demographic indicators of the health status of people in the region correlates with low incomes, chronic stress, and deteriorating natural settings. He also pointed out that the key factor determining the development of diseases among the low-numbered indigenous people of the North is the destruction of their traditional lifestyle as a result of environmental deterioration. There are two components to be considered: (i) socioeconomic realities which include the destruction of traditional lifestyles; loss of social guidelines; low life expectancy; breaking family bonds; and the failure to fulfill one’s potential; (ii) biomedical causes which include genetic (predetermined) features of organism functioning such as metabolic processes, absence of alcohol tolerance; low adaptive resources of the organism; and inaccessibility of adequate health care services.

17. It was pointed out that partnerships had been formed between regional, local government and authorized representatives of the low-numbered indigenous peoples of the North, (RAIPON) to improve the wellbeing of people in indigenous settlements. This has been particularly positive for indigenous youth who are increasingly participating in environmental protection programs such as summer ecological programs based on indigenous traditions.

18. It was stated that within the Russian Federation there is no single facility to oversee the state environmental protection policies and mechanisms for assessing the water quality, especially drinking water was outdated. Further, there are outdated mechanisms for setting the maximum allowable concentration of hazardous substances, including toxins. There is also no methodology for undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the damage from pollution on the ecosystem. In particular, there is no assessment of the impact of low-concentration toxic pollutants in drinking water and no assessment following emergency spills of high concentration pollutants on the affected indigenous and non-indigenous populations.

19. An expert pointed out that the Navajo reservation is abundant in gas, coal, water, and uranium and there are currently 12 extractive industries operating within Navajo territories and 7 of these industries are coal-fired power plants. These industries have had an enormous affect on the economy, the people, the culture, and the rights to resources and lands. Over half of the Navajo population lives below the USA poverty line despite the rich mining operations on their lands. This creates a difficult situation for the Navajo peoples because of the environmental impact of the extractive resources, and the urgent need for employment. This situation renders indigenous peoples as economic hostages. In most cases, tribal governments are in favor of mining development. Hence, this creates a dilemma because it divides the people and their government.

20. The same expert noted the pollution issues within the Navajo reservation raises concerns because the world's largest private-sector coal company is located on the reservation. Water extraction for mining purposes in the N-aquifer has lowered the water level. There are other detrimental impacts due to government failure to enforce environmental regulations. The presence of the mine and the use of the water source were destroying the Navajo and Hopi cultures. Both the aquifer and the land are sacred to the Hopi and Navajo tribes.

21. Environmental concerns continue to be an area of major conflict, as one expert pointed out that resource owners have, on a number of occasions taken the law into their own hands in response to their concerns over environmental destruction and lack of adequate compensation from multi-national corporations, foreign or local companies in mining, logging, hydro-electric dams or tourist development projects. A contributing factor has been corrupt politicians and governments. This problem has contributed to an increasing incidence of armed conflicts in many parts of the world including Africa and the Pacific.

22. Experts stated that the destruction of the environment has led to the unsustainability of land for traditional economic livelihood patterns that once thrived in many areas. As a result, indigenous peoples are migrating into cities where they have become environmental refugees and because of their poor economic status, are living in shanties, slums and waterfronts with its attendant risks especially in terms of human rights protection. Further, these slums continually face demolition by government.

23. Experts stated that despite the existence of Multilateral Environmental Agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, many Latin American countries continue prioritizing their economic development in the region instead of implementing their obligations to protect the environmental for future generations.

24. According to the USAID’s analysis of Brazil “the four principle threats to the biodiversity and tropical forest resources of Brazil include unsustainable logging practices, habitat conversion driven by agricultural expansion, urban and industrial development, and poaching and animal trading. Other threats include increased flammability of forests, domestic and industrial energy demands and the introduction of exotic species”.[1] These threats without doubt apply to many regions of the world.

25. Experts noted that legal measures and frameworks recognizing indigenous peoples’ customary law and its implementation is required in order to allow control by indigenous peoples over their biodiversity, lands, territories, biological and genetic resources.

26. Experts pointed out that the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent is imperative to protecting indigenous people’s lands, territories and their resources in order to maintain and protect their environment for future generations.

III. Conclusions and recommendations

Conclusion

27. Experts concluded that past experience has shown that neither monetary compensation nor livelihood projects could replace or surpass the destroyed ancestral land and traditional livelihoods of affected indigenous peoples. The solution to restoring a high living quality and ending the permanent destruction of the environment is to stop destructive large-scale corporate mining, and decommission unviable tailings dams and mega dams. Alternatives such as chemical-free traditional small-scale mining methods and community-based microhydros need to be promoted and supported.

28. Experts concluded that economic market oriented development has contributed greatly to the degradation of indigenous people’s lands, territories and biological and genetic resources. This is further outlined in the Millennium Development Goals which state that although many countries have adopted principles of sustainable development and agreed to international accords for protecting the environment, land is still being degraded, forests are being lost and fisheries over-used, plant and animal species are becoming extinct, and carbon emission is leading to climate change.

29. Experts concluded that transborder contamination is a major catastrophe which is not widely known. This situation is further complicated because there are often a number of countries involved, many of whom favour development over the environment. There is a real need to bring these serious issues to the attention of the public as well as to the relevant officials. It is critical to find out what mechanisms are available to change this situation.

30. Participants suggested there is a need to explore whether opportunities exist to form a joint body consisting of relevant peoples and officials of neighbouring countries. This was of particular interest to the experts from Khabarovsk krai who spoke about the need for better efforts by the governments of the Russian Federation and the Peoples’ Republic of China. Further, there is also a need to attract United Nations agencies such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as well as nature conservation and environmental organizations, due to the urgent and critical situation of the Amur River.

31. Pollution of food sources has a serious impact on most indigenous peoples and their communities. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are found in mother’s milk and the placenta of new born babies. Other serious illnesses such as cancer, liver and heart disease are very high among family members of all ages. Experts also pointed out that the results of scientific studies that have already been undertaken in some of the regions affected by pollution are not widely known by the public or Health Care Departments. Experts also stated monitoring the health of indigenous peoples should be an on-going issue.

32. Experts pointed out that although there are some legal frameworks and multilateral environmental agreements in Latin America indigenous peoples still face a lack of implementation of these instruments and a lack of remedies. Most of the time, indigenous communities have to mobilize and address the international community to be heard by their respective countries. Latin American governments must act to promote the environmental benefit for humanity and to ensure that indigenous peoples enjoy the protection and rights they are entitled to enjoy under international law.

33. It was concluded that the findings of the Special procedures’ mandate holders, in particular the Special Rapporteur on toxic wastes[2] and the special Rapporteur on the situation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, reveal that national policies, laws, regulations and programmes concerning environmental related pollutions do exist in many countries. However, despite the work of a range of actors, including ministries of agriculture, lands, water resources, environment, rural development and health, difficulties remain, and shortcomings to address the issue primarily lie in the lack of implementation of existing laws, regulations and policies.

34. It appears that even when cultural and environmental impact studies together with drastic label requirements[3] are put in place to protect the health and well-being of indigenous peoples, and to preserve their environment and means of subsistence, communities who are directly or indirectly exposed to pollution are not aware nor informed whether they comply with any such laws and regulations. This lack of dissemination of information on remedies available for effective redress, combined with the absence of free, prior and informed consent with the indigenous peoples concerned, regarding the planned activities and the related regulations protecting their rights, pave the way for systematic and disproportionate violation of their collective and individual human rights.

35. It was concluded that the review of the human rights machinery jurisprudence underlined that the administrative and judicial remedies that indigenous peoples have utilized to address the environmental degradation of their lands and natural resources and recover their rights, had proved ineffective. The apparent failure by States to comply with international environmental instruments is often explained by the argument that the pollution, evictions and other related human rights issues do not breach human rights obligations because they are carried out in a manner consistent with domestic legislation. Government also often claimed that legal recourse was available to those individuals who wished to challenge the evictions or any development-based activities.

Recommendations

This Workshop:

36. Calls upon the Governments of the Russian Federation and the Peoples’ Republic of China to accelerate the drafting and signing of the Inter-Governmental Agreement between the two states on the cooperation, protection and sustainable use of the transborder water facilities including liability for pollution, measures to decrease the discharge of pollutants, mechanisms of mutual monitoring and timely information release in case of disasters or accidents;

37. Recommends that the national governments of the Russian Federation, Peoples’ Republic of China and Mongolia draft measures for legislative regulations on the sustainable nature use and development of the Amur River basin and form an inter-parliamentary group on this issue.

38. Recommends that the Russian Federation, the Peoples’ Republic of China and Mongolia ratify the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (signed in 1992, in force since 6 October 1996)3; and the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (signed 1991, in force since September 1997).

39. Recommends the Russian Federation State Duma adopt the Draft Federal Law on rational nature use in the Amur River basin and on sustainable use in the development of the Priamurye Region (the Amur River basin).

40. Recommends that the Government of the Russian Federation in cooperation with indigenous peoples concerned, develop a Federal Target Program on ecological improvement of the Amur River basin and include a Sub-Program on indigenous issues.

41. Recommends the Government of the Russian Federation increase funding to the Federal State Program of Economic and Social Development of the Far East and Zabaikalye regarding the construction of facilities for drinking water for the population from underground sources as well as the construction, maintenance and repair of water treatment and sewerage facilities.

42. Recommends that the Government of the Russian Federation adopt complementary support for the Priamurye Region in order to shape the conditions for sustainable social and economic development and enhance the investment and economic potential, reproduction of natural resources and improve the situation of migrants in order to stabilize the resident population.

43. Recommends the United Nations agencies including United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, in cooperation with the Russian Federation, support the monitoring of hazardous substances and their impact on the health of indigenous peoples in the Armur region, and other regions should be included in this effort .

44. Recommends the Khabarovsk krai government, the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program and the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and Far East (RAIPON) create a joint working group to prepare a draft “Memorandum for Mutual Understanding”. Also, further recommends that RAIPON and the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program work with the Khabarovsk krai government and consider research and project proposals for the joint working group, prior to signing a “Memorandum for Mutual Understanding”.

45. That the joint working group prepare proposals to the Government of the Russian Federation on “Pollution of the World’s Great Rivers and Prevention of Transboundary Pollution” for inclusion in the agenda of the next summit of government leaders (G-8).

46. Recommends that all draconian laws concerning oil, gas and land-use that exclude indigenous peoples from participation in the control and use of their resources be repealed or amended. African states exploiting oil and gas reserves should take urgent steps to restore the rights of communities to control over their resources. A multi-stakeholder approach to oil exploration and exploitation should be put in place involving the triad of government, oil companies and host communities. The multi-stakeholder mechanism should address issues of biodiversity conservation and regeneration. The workshop notes that the Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) had recommended the immediate repeal of the 1978 Land Use Act and the 1969 Petroleum Act in Nigeria.

47. Recommends that African States promoting the exploitation of their oil and gas reserves should adopt inclusive legislative approaches which enhance partnership and collaborative decision-making involving the oil companies, government and host communities, in order to provide more choices for the people. These approaches will engender respect for environmental laws and regulations and judicial decisions by oil companies and can establish a penalty plan that requires oil companies whose activities cause excessive pollution or are ill–equipped, to forfeit their licenses. Governments should ensure that relevant judicial decisions are enforced

48. Recommends that relevant insurance funds to cover the costs of the socio-economic impact of oil pollution be established by governments and the oil companies.

49. Recommends that in case of rapid oil spill, response mechanisms be put in place by government and oil companies in order to effectively respond to communities in distress due to oil spills

50. Recommends that relevant States require oil companies to provide all the necessary social infrastructures before the commencement of oil exploitation so that their operations will not impact negatively on the local population.

51. Recommends that the existing compensation regimes be reviewed in order to adequately and fairly meet the emergency needs and concerns of those affected by pollution.

52. Recommends multilateral donors and other development actors design operational policy guidelines which could provide the basis for assisting Nigeria and other states, to integrate environmental concerns and indigenous rights in their national development policies.

53. Calls upon the United Nations system to develop minimum standards for the protection of the environment and human rights that are binding on all countries and development companies, based on the highest existing best practice, and with effective monitoring and further, that sanctions be imposed on offending parties, be they national government, funding institutions, or companies.

54. Calls for states that are home to transnational companies to enact legislation that will require those companies to operate using the same standards wherever they operate in the world. Home countries should impose deadlines on their nationals and corporate entities that inflict damage in developing countries, particularly on indigenous peoples.

55. Calls on the United Nations system to create an international system to allow complaints to be filed by affected indigenous communities against companies, governments and financial institutions whose development programs and interventions violate the rights of ownership and control by indigenous peoples over their ancestral land, territories and resources and cause serious destruction to the environment.

56. In some cases in Asia indigenous people have already suffered and will continue to suffer enormous damage to their lands and environment due to the long-term impacts of mining and dams and it is therefore recommended that proper and immediate compensation and reparation be provided by the relevant Governments and companies concerned to all affected people. It should include adequate monetary compensation, sustainable livelihood, alternative land, employment and other sources of regular income. A program for the restoration and rehabilitation of lands and waters destroyed by mines and dams should also be implemented.

57. The Workshop calls for a review and revision of national legislation and policy on the liberalization of mining and the energy industry in states where these have proven detrimental to indigenous peoples. Government mining policies should support the people’s efforts towards national industrialization and ensure the creation of jobs, food security, a stable economy, mitigation of environmental degradation, and environmental rehabilitation.

58. Under the principle of free, prior and informed consent, the Workshop recommends that all persons who intend to use or apply pesticides or other chemicals to their crops must submit their plans and the products they intend to use, including their common and scientific names, their chemical contents, their known harm, their legal status (prohibited, restricted or allowed in the relevant State and/or in other countries), and the recommended requirements for their use, to the authorities and to the members of the community. Only after the effective dissemination of this information to relevant indigenous populations should the State authorities permit their use under whatever conditions are deemed necessary.

Annex I

Agenda

Monday 27 August 2007

9:30-10:00 Registration

10:00-10:30 Item 1: Opening ceremony and welcome speeches

Vladimir Ivanovitch Syrkin, Vice-Governor of the Khabarovsk krai

Yuri Ivanovitch Onoprienko, Chairman of the Legislative Duma of the Khabarovsk krai

Mr Pavel Sulyandziga, UNPFII Member, RAIPON First Vice-President, Russian Federation Public Chamber Member

10:30 Item 2: Effect of Pollution on the Traditional Lifestyle and Health of the Indigenous Peoples.

Mr Pavel Sulyandziga, UNPFII Member, RAIPON First Vice-President, Russian Federation Public Chamber Member

Mr Carl Olsen, (ICC-Greenland) Expert from the Arctic

Mr Aleksei Limanzo, Chairman of the Regional Council of Authorized Representatives of low-number indigenous peoples of the Sakhalinskaya oblast. “Impact of industrial policies on the indigenous peoples”.

11:30-11:50 Coffee break

11.50-12:30 Item 1: continued

12.30 – 16.10 Item 3: Transborder Pollution of the Amur-River and Pollution Effects on the Traditional Lifestyle and Health of Indigenous Peoples.

Ms Galina Volkova, Deputy Vice-Governor of Khabarovsk krai for Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Issues. Expert from the Russian Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia

Mr Sergei Andriyenko, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources of Khabarovsk krai.

Mr Salavat Suleimanov, Rector of Khabarovsk krai Public Health Care Ministry “Advanced Training Institute for Public Health Care Specialists”

13:30-15:30 Lunch

15:30-16.40 Item 2: Continued

Ms Lubov Passar, President of Khabarovsk krai Association of the Indigenous Peoples of the North.

Ms Polina Khodzher, Chairperson of Association of the Indigenous Peoples of the North, Amur Municipal District.

Mr Ivan Rosugbu, Chairperson of Association of the Indigenous Peoples of the North, Ulchi Municipal District.

Ms Irina Tynvina, Specialist on Indigenous Peoples of Nikolaevsk Municipal District.

16:10-16:30 Coffee break

17:00-17:40 Item 3: Ecological Global Changes and Measures to Prevent them.

Ms Ema G. Tagicakibau, Pacific Concerns Resource Center, Fiji Expert from the Pacific

Mr Lars-Otto Raiersen, Executive Secretary, Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP). The Arctic as sentinel for global environmental processes and effects.

Mr Aleksandr Kulikov, Chairman, of the Board, Public organization Khabarovsk Wild Life Foundation

Discussion

Summary of First Day of the Workshop

Tuesday 28 August 2007

09:30-12:00 Item 5: Adverse Effect of Hydroelectric Dams Construction, Forestry and Mining Industries on the Traditional Way of Life of Indigenous Peoples.

Mr Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People. Nigeria Expert from Africa

Mr Mick Dodson, UNPFII Member, Director of National Centre for Indigenous Studies, Australia

Ms Jill Carino, Cordillera Peoples' Alliance, Philippines Expert from Asia

11:00-11:20 Coffee break

Item 5 continued

Mr Berezhkov, Dmitry Vladimirovitch, President of the Kamchatskaya oblast Association of the indigenous low-number peoples of the North, Vice-President of the Association of the indigenous low-number peoples of the North, Siberia and the Russian Federation Far East. “Impact of mining industry on the traditional way of life of indigenous peoples”.

12:00-13:30 Item 6: International Legal Standards on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to Favorable Environment

Mr Estebancio Castro Diaz, International Indian Treaty Council Expert from Central and South America and the Caribbean

Mr Pashuram Tamang, UNPFII Member, Nepal

Ms Samia Slimane, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

14:00-15:00 Lunch

15.30-17.00 Item 7: Environmental damages inflicted by economic activities and their consequences for indigenous peoples.

Ms Kimberley Smith, Black Mesa Water Coalition Expert from North America

16:10-16:30 Coffee break

16.30 Statement and Discussions Continued

17.00-19:00 Item 8: Adoption of Conclusions and recommendations.

Wednesday 29 August 2007

9.00-11.30 Transfer to Sinda settlement of the Nanaisky Rayon

11.30-13.30 Meeting Leaders of the Nanaisky municipal rayon and the Amur indigenous community.

13.30-14.30 Lunch

14.30-15.30 Transfer to Sikachi-Alyan village of the Khabarovsk Rayon

15.30-16.30 Visit to the Sikachi-Alyan Social and Ethnographic Centre and Sikachi-Alyan petroglyphs

16.30-18.00 Transfer to Khabarovsk

Annex II

List of Participants

|Name |Position, organization |

|Federal Authorities | |

|Mr Stanislav Nikolaevitch ACHAKOV |Deputy Head of the Amur Basin Water management Administration, Federal Agency of Water Resources |

|Mr Vladimir Andreevitch ANDRONOV |Deputy Head of the Department of Rosprirodnadzor (Russian Environment Inspectorate) for the Far Eastern |

| |Federal Okrug |

|Ms Olga Aleksandraovna BELJDY |Chief Expert of the Administration of the Ministry for Economic Development of Russia for the Far East |

| |Region |

|Mr Vicktor Petrovitch BLINNIKOV |Head of the Administration of Rosprirodnadzor (Russian Environment Inspectorate) for the Khabarovsky Krai |

|Mr Igor Aleksandrovitch FISYUK |Deputy Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in Khabarovsk |

|Mr Aleksandr Vasilyevitch GAVRILOV |Head, Far Eastern inter-regional territorial Administration of Hydrometeorology and Environmental |

| |Monitoring |

|Mr Aleksandr Ivanovitch PLOTNIKOV |Head of the Department for provisioning of constitutional rights of citizens of the Apparatus of the |

| |Representative Plenipotentiary for the far Eastern Federal Okrug |

|Mr Andei Viktorovitch POZDNYAKOV |Advisor to the Department for Mass Communications of the Russian Federation Government |

|Mr Vasily Ivanovitch PROKOPTSOV |Deputy Head, Administration of Rosselkhoznadzor (Russian Agricultural Inspectorate) for the Khabarovsky |

| |Krai and the Jewish Autonomous Oblast |

|Mr Aleksandr Aleksandrovitch SIRCHNEKO |Deputy Director of Department for Domestic national Policies of the Russian Federation Ministry for |

| |Regional Development |

|Mr Vladimir Ivanovitch SKOROPUPOV |Assistant to Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Chilingarov Artur Nikolaevitch |

|Ms Veronika Nikolaevna ROMANISHINA |Consultant of the Apparatus of the Committee for Issues of the North and Far East |

|Ms Tatiana Anatolyevna Zaitseva |Deputy Head, Territorial Administration of the Federal Service for Inspectorate over the protection of |

| |Consumer Rights and Men’s Wellbeing for Khabarovsky krai |

|Regional Authorities | |

|Mr Sergei ANDRIYENKO |Deputy Minister of Natural Resources of Khabarovsk Krai. |

|Mr Alekandr Borisovitch LEVINTAL |Deputy Chairman of the Khabarovsk Krai Government and Minister of Economic Development and External |

| |Affairs |

|Mr Vladimir Ivanovitch ONOPREINKO |Chair of the Legislative Duma of the Khabarovsky krai |

|Mr Gennady Egorovitch POCHEREVIN |Deputy Chairman of the Khabarovsky krai Government and Minister of Natural Resources |

|Mr Dmitry Nikolaevitch SOLYANOV |Deputy Minister of Culture of the Khabarovsk Krai Government |

|Mr Vladimir Ivanovitch SYRKIN |Vice Governor of the Khabarovsky krai |

|Mr Aleksandr Valentinovitch VITJKO |Minister of Health of the Khabarovsk Krai Government |

|Local Self-Government Authorities | |

|Mr Vladimir Aleksandrovitch ALESHKO |Head of the Khabarovsky municipal rayon of the Khabarovsky krai |

|Mr Yury Alekseevitch DEGTYARYOV |Head of the municipal rayon of Polina Osipenko |

|Mr Valery Pavlovitch DOLMATOV |Head of the Nikolaevsky municipal rayon of the Khabarovsk Krai |

|Ms Nina Ignatyevna DRUZHININA |Head of the rural settlement of Sikachi-Alyan of the Khabarovsk rayon |

|Mr MikhailVasilyevitch KHMARA |Deputy of the Legislative Duma of the Khabarovsky krai |

|Ms Polina Pavlovna KHODZHER |Chair of the Regional Council of Authorized Representatives of low-Number of Indigenous Peoples of the |

| |North with the Khabarovsky krai Governor. |

|Mr Nikolai Sergevitch LANDIK |Deputy Head of the Solnechny municipal rayon |

|Ms Lubov Aleksandriovna ODZYAL |Specialist of the Ulchsky municipal rayon Administration |

|Ms Marina Andusovna ODZYAL |Leading Specialist for peoples of the North in the Ulchsky municipal rayon Administration |

|Mr Anatoly Alfonovitch SHEVTCHUK |Head of the Amursky municipal rayon of the Khabarovsk Krai |

|Ms Irina TYNVINA |Specialist on Indigenous Peoples of Nikolaevsk Municipal Rayon |

|UNPFII Invited Experts | |

|Ms Jill CARINO |Vice-Chairperson for External Affairs, Cordillera Peoples' Alliance, Philippines |

|Mr Estebancio Castro DIAZ |Human Rights and Biodiversity Consultant, International Indian Treaty Council |

|Michael DODSON |Member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (Pacific Region), Australia |

|Mr. Carl Christian Olsen |Executive Council Member of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference - Greenland |

|Mr Legborsi Saro PYAGBARA |International Advocacy Officer, Human Rights Program, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People. |

| |Nigeria |

|Ms Samia SLIMANE |Human Rights Officer, Indigenous and Minority Unit, Research and Right to Development Branch, UN Office of|

| |the High Commisioner for Human Rights, Geneva |

|Ms Sonia SMALLACOMBE |Social Affairs Officer, Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, New York |

|Ms Kimberley SMITH |Program Coordinator, Black Mesa Water Coalition, Arizona, USA |

|Mr Pavel Vasilyevitch SULYANDZIGA |Member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; Member of the Public Chamber of the |

| |Russian Federation; First Vice-President of RAIPON |

|Ms Ema G. TAGICAKIBAU |Assistant Director, Peace & Disarmament/Demilitarization Desk, |

| |Pacific Concerns Resource Center, Fiji |

|Mr Parshuram TAMANG |Member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Nepal |

|Ms Galina Mikhailovna VOLKOVA |Assistant to Vice-Governor of the Khabarovsk Krai for the Low-Number Indigenous Peoples of the North and |

| |Environmental Issues |

|Diplomatic corps, international and Russian | |

|Organizations and Academics | |

|Ms Mikaela Bergman |Senior Consultant, Department of Environment Protection (EBRD) |

|Mr Valery Petrovitch CHASHCHIN |Director of Federal State Research Enterprise North-Western Research Centre of Hygiene and Public Health, |

| |St Petersburg |

|Mr Yuri Nikolaevitch BEREZUTSKY |Secretary of the Regional Political Council of the All Russian Party of United Russia |

|Ms Daria Mukhanaevna BERELTUEVA |Dean, Faculty of Peoples of the North, Far Eastern State Humanitarian University |

|Ms Irina Borisovna BOGDAN |Chair of the Board, Inter-regional Public Ecological Organization, ECODAL |

|Mr Yuri Aleksandrovitch DARMAN |Director of the Far Eastern Branch of the World Wildlife Foundation, Russian Federation |

|Ms Nina Ivanona DANILYUK |Program Coordinator, Winrock International |

|Ms Alena EFIMENKO |Indigenous Peoples’ Secretariat |

|Ms Nima Ivanovna EVSYUKHINA |Consultant to the municipal education facility secondary school of Nizhniye Khalby village |

|Mr Rune FJELLHEIM |Executive Secretary, Indigenous Peoples’ Secretariat |

|Mr Evgeny Pavlovitch GUDAN |Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper Amur Beacon of the Ulchsky rayon |

|Mr Noguchi ICHIRO |Director of the Program for the Far East of Russia, Branch of the international organization Friends of |

| |the Earth |

|Mr Michael JONES |Pacific Environment Protection Centre |

|Ms Antonina Segeevna KILE |Assistant Professor of the Far Eastern State Humanitarian University |

|Mr Aleksei Vladimirovitch KOZLOV |Institute of Mother and Child |

|Mr Viktor Glebovitch KRYUKOV |Executive Secretary of Coordinating Committee for sustainable Amur River Basin development, Khabarovsk, |

| |Russian Federation |

|Mr Aleksandr Nikolaevitch KULIKOV |Chairman of the Board, Public Oranization Khabarovsk Wild Life Foundation |

|Ms Lidia Veniamonovna NETREBENKO |Director of Nikolaevsk-na-Amure Medical School |

|Mr Nain K RAI |Lead Social Development Specialist, Qulaity Assurance and Compliance Unit, Sustainable Development, World |

| |Bank |

|Mr Lars-Otto RAIERSEN |Executive Secretary, Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP) |

|Mr Vasily Afanasyevitch ROBBEK |Director, Institute of Low-Number of Indigenous People of the North, SB RAS |

|Ms Valda Aleksandrovna RYABOVA |Chair, Khabarovsk public organization centre of Medical and Ecological Problems |

|Ms Tatiana Ivanovna RYABOVA |Head of the Endocrinology Department of the krai hospital |

|Mr Salavat SULEIMANOV |Rector of Khabarovsk krai Public Health Care Ministry “Advanced Training Institute for Public Health Care |

| |Specialists” |

|Representatives of the organization of low-number | |

|indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far | |

|East of the Russian Federation (RAIPON) | |

|Mr Dmity Vladimirovitch BEREZHKOV |President of the Kamchatskaya Oblast Association of the Low-Number indigenous peoples of the North, |

| |Vice-President of the Association of the Low-Number indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia and the |

| |Russian Federation Far East |

|Mr Aleksei Gennadyevitch LIMANZO |Chair, of the Regional Council of Authorized Representatives of Low-Number Indigenous Peoples of the |

| |North. of the Sakhalinskaya Oblast |

|Mr Anatoly Alekseevitch MIKHAILOV |Adviser to the Association Low-Number Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Russian Federation |

| |far East |

|Ms Anna Pavlovna NAIKANCHINA |President, Buryatia Republic Association of Low-Number Indigenous Peoples of the North |

|Ms Lubov PASSAR |President of the Association of the Low-Number Indigenous Peoples of the North. of the Khabarovsk krai |

|Mr Ivan ROSUGBU |Chair of the Ulchsky municipal rayon regional public organization of Association of the Low-Number of |

| |Indigenous Peoples of the North. |

|Ms Nadezhda Nikitichna SAMAR |Chair of the Board of the Komsomolsky rayon division of the Khabarovsk krai Association of the Low-Number |

| |Indigenous Peoples of the North. |

|Mr Rodion Vasilyevitch SULYANDZIGA |RAIPON Executive Committee Member, Director of the Centre for assistance to the Low-Number Indigenous |

| |Peoples of the North. |

|Mr Mikhail Petrovitch VALIN |Vice-President of the Board of Priamurye Centre |

-----------------------

[1] USAID/Brazil Country Strategic Plan (FY 2003-2008) Environmental Analysis. USAID website. Available on



[2] E/CN.4/2006/42/Add.1, para. 36.

[3] E/CN.4/2006/42/Add.1, Case 2004/76, para. 22; Case 20, para.27.

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