NEW DELHI: UNESCO faced sharp criticism on Monday at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi for its inaction on human rights violations against indigenous people in its certified World Heritage Sites, including Assam’s Kaziranga National Park.
Prime Minister Narendra Mod inaugurated the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee on Sunday.
Suhas Chakma, Asia Campaign Manager of the University of Arizona’s Initiative on Indigenous Peoples Affected by Protected Areas and Other Conservation Measures, said, “In the natural World Heritage Sites, indigenous people have been facing massive violations including forced evictions, extra-judicial executions, rape and other violations. A UN heritage site cannot be a place for grave human rights violations including sexual violence.”
The Kaziranga National Park, certified as a World Heritage site in 1985, has been constantly in the news for the forcible eviction of Indigenous people, controversial shoot-at-sight policy towards suspected poachers causing violations of the right to life, and establishment of five-star hotels inside the park to promote tourism.
As per reports, UNESCO has till date provided US$ 80,000 for Kaziranga National Park.
Chakma, who also serves as Director the Rights & Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), said, “When the EU and World Bank are acting against human rights violations in the conservation sites, the UNESCO cannot remain silent against grave human rights violations against indigenous people in its certified World Heritage Sites.”
He said UNESCO needs to reform its operational guidelines to incorporate a human rights-based approach, implement regular assessments of World Heritage Sites’ compliance with UN human rights standards and Article 5(a) of the World Heritage Convention, establish an independent grievance mechanism to address human rights violation at World Heritage Sites and provide robust support to affected communities.”
During the session, he also highlighted that the indigenous people are also facing evictions and other human rights violations in Chitwan National Park in Nepal, which was certified as a World Heritage Site in 1984.
