Climate Week Leaders:
Respect Indigenous Rights and Give the #LandBack
Indigenous peoples have endured centuries of colonization, displacement, and marginalization. Their unique cultures, languages, and ways of life are invaluable contributions to addressing the climate crisis. Yet, Indigenous communities continue to face discrimination, poverty, violence, the pollution of their waterways, and the theft of their lands.
Support their resistance! Take Action in solidarity with Indigenous peoples who are calling for an end to rights violations and that their ancestral lands are protected and returned!
Sign the Petition!
To: World Leaders, Governments, and International Organizations
We, the undersigned, call upon you to recognize and respect the fundamental rights of Indigenous communities worldwide. We must address the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous peoples, including the dispossession of their ancestral lands. We demand that you take immediate and concrete actions to give the #LandBack to Indigenous communities, ensuring their rights, dignity, and self-determination.
We urge you to:
Acknowledge and Respect Indigenous Rights: Recognize and uphold the rights of Indigenous peoples as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which includes the right to self-determination, the right to their lands, territories, and resources, and the right to free, prior, and informed consent.
Return Stolen Lands: Initiate processes to return stolen or wrongfully acquired Indigenous lands to their rightful owners and ensure that Indigenous communities control their ancestral territories. This includes actively working to dismantle colonial and discriminatory land ownership systems.
Ensure Legal Protections: Strengthen and enforce legal frameworks that protect Indigenous land rights, including measures to prevent land grabbing, encroachment, and environmental degradation on Indigenous lands.
Consult and Collaborate: Engage in meaningful and transparent consultation and collaboration with Indigenous communities on matters that affect their lands, cultures, and livelihoods. Uphold their consent as a prerequisite for any development or resource extraction projects within Indigenous territories.
Provide Adequate Resources: Allocate resources and support for Indigenous communities to enable them to manage and protect their lands, develop sustainable economies, and preserve their cultural heritage.
Combat Discrimination and Violence: Take decisive action to combat discrimination, violence, and human rights abuses against Indigenous peoples. Implement mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Promote Education and Cultural Preservation: Support initiatives that promote Indigenous education, language preservation, and cultural revitalization, as these are vital components of their identity and self-determination.
By taking these actions, you can demonstrate your commitment to justice, equality, and human rights. It is time to rectify historical injustices and work towards a more inclusive and equitable world where Indigenous peoples can thrive on their own terms.
We, the undersigned, stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities and call on you to prioritize respecting and restoring Indigenous rights and returning their lands. Together, we can create a more just and sustainable future for all.
