The UN’s Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples has warned the the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva of numerous violations of Indigenous Peoples rights, triggered by extractive enterprises encroaching on their territories.
These include: water source depletion and contamination; the adverse effects of water and airborne pollution on overall community health; and an increase in infectious diseases spread by interaction with workers or settlers.
In a powerful address, distributed to governments, NGOs, business organisations and Indigenous organisations themselves, Mr James Anaya noted that: “The vast majority of indigenous peoples …emphasized a common perception of disenfranchisement, ignorance of their rights and concerns on the part of States and businesses enterprises, and constant life insecurity in the face of encroaching extractive activities.”
See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11199.
For the Special Rapporteur’s report, see http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/18session/A-HRC-18-35_en.pdf.