Human Rights

Publications

Alcorn, Janis. B and Royo, Antoinette G. 2007. Conservation’s engagement with human rights: “traction”, “slippage”, or avoidance?
CEESP publications. 2007. Policy Matters, the journal of CEESP Issue No. 15, July 2007. Conservation and Human Rights
details
This paper explores the fact that conservation has in many cases interfered with or abrogated people’s human rights; but it also provides examples of the ways the two issues can mutually support each other, emphasizing the importance of a supportive enabling environment. ~375 pp.
CEESP publications. Policy Matters Issue No. 13, November 2004. Special issue for the World Conservation Congress. History, culture and conservation.
details
This book brings together examples of the importance of culture in people’s lives and in conservation efforts. It also has interesting ideas about measuring cultural diversity. ~300 pp.
Colchester, M. 2007. Beyond Tenure Rights-based approaches to peoples and forests Some lessons from the Forest Peoples Programme.
Paper presented to the International Conference on Poverty Reduction in Forests: Tenure, Markets and Policy Reforms, Bangkok, Thailand, 3rd –7th September 2007
PDF: English (size 0.4 MB)
Colchester, Beyond tenure. Based on a review of 17 years of programmatic work with forest peoples in Latin American, Africa and Asia by the Forest Peoples Programme, this paper explores the complexity of rights that need recognition if community-based livelihoods in forests are to be secured and well-being improved. The conclusion from this review is that programmes to reform tenure in forests need to be based on a broader understanding of the basis for asserting rights and take into account a far wider range of human rights than are generally considered in forest policy debates. An effective rights-based approach to forestry reform to ensure justice and poverty alleviation requires attention to a much wider spectrum of rights than just the assertion of the right to property. Tenures must be appropriate to the culture and context of the communities concerned. Systems of representation require effective recognition. Communities need to be able to control their lands and resources. Cultural heritage should be protected. Basic rights to health, life and to civil and political rights and freedoms need to be secured and social, cultural and economic rights respected. 36pp.

Weblinks

Forest Peoples Programme, supporting forest peoples' right,
website: www.forestpeoples.org
Stay tuned to this IUCN website, Volume 15, edited by Marcus Colchester, will be coming out soon.
Its focus is on human rights.