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August 1, 2012

Inter-American Court Deals Landmark Victory for Indigenous Rights 
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A regional court for Latin America and the Caribbean has handed down
what advocates are calling a milestone victory for indigenous peoples.
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has sided with Ecuador's
Sarayaku indigenous community in a long running dispute with the
Ecuadorean government and a foreign oil firm. In its ruling, the court
found Ecuador ignored the Sarayakus' rights by failing to consult with
them before approving a massive energy project on their ancestral land.
In a statement, Amnesty International said the ruling will have
"far-reaching effects" across the Western Hemisphere, adding: "It makes
it crystal clear that states bear a responsibility to carry out special
consultation processes before engaging in development projects affecting
Indigenous Peoples and their rights."

 

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