Lack of indigenous environmental rights

Conflicts have arisen over indigenous rights to natural resources, such as experienced by Konos, Mendes and Temnes (Sierra Leone) and tribal peoples of Liberia, where thousands of indigenous peoples have been slaughtered in wars over diamond mining, destroying lives as well as the economy.

1. Unvalued indigenous resources
2. Presumptuous management of the environment
3. Lack of international policy on specific issues
4. Discrimination against indigenous populations

1. Limited control of environment by local communities
2. Lack of common and local ownership over biodiversity

1. Unmeaningful relationships to place
2. Theft of tradition knowledge for commercial gain
3. Socio-cultural environment degradation
4. Occupied territories
5. Loss of indigenous biodiversity
6. Lack of community involvement in environmental protection
7. Inadequate access of indigenous peoples to international decision-making processes
8. Fragmented planning of community life
9. Exclusion of indigenous peoples from natural resource management
10. Denial of rights to development for indigenous peoples

1. Undervaluation of community wealth
2. Unaccountability of institutions degrading the environment
3. Placement of the burden of proof on the disempowered
4. Mockery of indigenous people
5. Incompatibility of environmental and economic decision-making
6. Disparagement of indigenous cultures

1. Criminal offences against the environment

1. Recognizing indigenous environmental rights
2. Legalizing community rights to resource use
3. Establishing common ownership over biological resources