Indigenous peoples at risk from river pollution

Experts search for ways to improve security of indigenous peoples in Eastern Russia

The security of indigenous peoples is being jeopardized by pollution, as inhabitants of the Amur River basin in the Russia Federation can readily attest. Transborder contamination of the river over the last fifteen years has contributed to the spread of cancer and other tumors, claiming the lives of hundreds of indigenous peoples. A group of experts will gather in Khabarovsk, Russia, from 27 to 29 August to address the issue and recommend ways to improve the health of indigenous peoples and their environment. The meeting has been organized by the Division for Social Policy and Development, the Government of Khabarovsk, the Association of Indigenous Peoples of the Russian North, Siberia and the Far East, and the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.

The average life expectancy of indigenous peoples in the Amur River basin is 40 to 45 years, which is significantly less than the Russian average. At the same time, contamination of the Amur is putting the economy and cultural traditions of the local population at risk. The flesh of the fish is a staple in the region, and the skin is widely used in production of traditional crafts.

Experts will review rights enshrined in international standards and policies – such as the right to life, health, adequate food, information and participation – and suggest ways of translating those rights into protection of the land on which the health of the indigenous population depends. Strategies for evaluating the impact of harmful substances on the traditional lifestyles will be proposed, with an emphasis on regular health checks. They will also consider measures for mitigating the impact of dangerous substances on the environment. A recommendation will likely emerge that UN agencies assist in finding ways to reduce the adverse consequences of contamination of the Amur River. Finally, the group is being asked to develop guidelines for cultural, environmental and social impact assessments involving indigenous peoples.

A full report of the meeting will be submitted to the seventh session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in April next year.

For more information: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/