SECAM: Calls EU and AU to Safeguard Indigenous Rights In Biodiversity Conservation Efforts
By Sandra Kunda
The Justice, Peace, and Development Commission (JPDC) of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has urged the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) to take immediate action to prevent biodiversity conservation funds from causing land alienation and threatening the livelihoods of Indigenous peoples and local communities in Africa.
This follows the relaunch of a joint policy brief titled “Protecting the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to Halt Biodiversity Loss”, initially launched on 12 September 2024. SECAM-JPDC and its partners are advocating for a more inclusive conservation approach that respects human rights.
The policy brief calls for an end to exclusionary conservation models that displace Indigenous communities. Instead, it promotes co-management approaches in which Indigenous peoples and local communities work in partnership with global actors to protect biodiversity. This shift would ensure that conservation efforts do not lead to displacement but integrate human and environmental well-being.
It also stresses the importance of securing land rights for Indigenous peoples and local communities, advocating for legal recognition and protection of their rights in accordance with United Nations declarations. This is viewed as a key element in successful biodiversity conservation, as land tenure security helps Indigenous communities continue their traditional stewardship of the land.
Furthermore, the policy brief emphasizes the need to guarantee Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) for all biodiversity projects, particularly those funded by the EU. It insists that Indigenous communities must have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their land and resources, ensuring that any projects are implemented with their full consent and participation.
Consequently, the brief calls for the redirection of biodiversity financing to support sustainable practices like agroecology and pastoralism. These practices not only enhance biodiversity but also safeguard the rights and livelihoods of Indigenous communities. Pastoralism, in particular, is highlighted as a sustainable land management system that needs greater financial support.
The policy brief is supported by organizations such as CIDSE, the Centre for Agroecology at Coventry University, and the Pastoral Women’s Council, all of which call for a new paradigm in conservation that equally prioritizes biodiversity and the protection of Indigenous rights.
This is contained in a statement made available to the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops ZCCB Communications Department.
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