Latest news with #CarolinePearce
Gizmodo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Planned EV Battery Plant Is a ‘Death Sentence' for Uncontacted Indonesian Tribe
On Sunday, June 29, Indonesia will break ground on a $6 billion electric vehicle (EV) battery plant on Halmahera, the largest of the Maluku islands. The facility will mine the island's abundant nickel reserves and manufacture batteries on-site to reduce production costs in Indonesia, but a watchdog warns it could decimate an uncontacted tribe. The Hongana Manyawa—whose name means 'people of the forest' in their language—are one of the last nomadic hunter-gatherer peoples in Indonesia, according to Survival International. Some 3,500 of them live within Halmahera's rainforest, and roughly 500 remain uncontacted. Over the last several years, Indonesia's booming nickel-mining industry has deforested more than 13,000 acres (5,000 hectares) of Halmahera's tropical forests, destroying the Hongana Manyawa's homeland. This country is now the world's largest nickel producer, and its latest money grab poses a grave threat to the Hongana Manyawa, advocacy groups warn. 'This announcement is a death sentence for the uncontacted Hongana Manyawa,' said Caroline Pearce, head of Survival International, in a statement. 'Their home—the land that is theirs under international law—is being brazenly seized and destroyed to cater to global industries and global consumption.' 'Nickel and other mega-projects are often launched under the banner of green development but leave behind a trail of social and environmental harm,' said Brad Adams, Executive Director at Climate Rights International, in a statement. 'Communities are repressed, forests are cleared, and pollution goes unaddressed with impunity. This is a chance for the Prabowo government to show that it has learned from those failures.' The new plant, financially backed by China's Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), will integrate multiple components of EV battery production. Mining operations, smelting, nickel extraction, and production of precursors and cathodes will all take place on-site, according to the Indonesian news agency ANTARA. The project is one of 18 downstream industrial projects—valued at nearly $45 billion—that will break ground in Indonesia, ANTARA reports. According to a 2024 Survival International report, at least 19 mining companies are operating on the uncontacted Hongana Manyawa's land, including the largest and second-largest nickel mines in the world. Most of these facilities are mining nickel, and together, they span about 40% of the uncontacted people's territory. The Halmahera nickel rush is part of the Indonesian government's efforts to feed the global nickel demand for EV batteries. As of last year, the country accounted for 51% of the world's nickel mine production, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. Scrutiny from environmentalists recently drove Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to cancel four nickel mining permits on the neighboring islands of Raja Ampat. 'The President has a special concern to ensure Raja Ampat remains a world-class tourist attraction and protect its sustainability,' Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia told reporters earlier this month. In 2024, more than 30,000 tourists visited these islands, contributing roughly $9.25 million to locally generated revenue, according to The Jakarta Post. The same can't be said for Halmahera, which lacks sufficient infrastructure to support tourism. Still, advocates hope that the Indonesian government will take similar steps to protect Halmahera and its people. 'The Indonesian government has shown it's prepared to cancel nickel mining to save tourism; it must now also do so to stop an appalling human rights atrocity,' Pearce said. 'By acting now and establishing a no-go zone for mining on the territory of the uncontacted Hongana Manyawa people, the government can prevent their annihilation.' This tribe isn't alone. A 2022 study found that 54% of critical mineral mining projects for essential components, like the nickel used in EV batteries, are located on or near indigenous lands. Of those projects, 29% impact lands that indigenous peoples manage or conserve. While the Western world may see the EV industry as a climate solution, its impact on rainforests—and the people that call them home—threatens to outweigh its benefits.
Scoop
20-06-2025
- Scoop
India: Police Raid Indigenous Village Inside Tiger Reserve
June 18, 2025 This morning more than 250 police, forest guards and tiger force members raided a village which Indigenous people had reclaimed in a tiger reserve six weeks ago. The security forces tore down seven forest shelters where women, children and older people were living, at Karadikallu Atturu Kolli village, in Nagarhole Tiger Reserve. 'They are forcing people to destroy their own homes on their own lands. This is a grave violation of human rights as well as the rights guaranteed under the Forest Rights Act,' said a source from inside the village. Jenu Kuruba people were violently evicted from Nagarhole 40 years ago to make way for a tiger reserve. More than 50 families returned on May 5 to live in their former village and to assert their claims in accordance with India's Forest Rights Act. It's believed to be the first time Indigenous people in India asserted their rights to return to their homes after eviction from a Protected Area. 'It is outrageous that the Jenu Kuruba are being thrown out of their home once again. The authorities must stop this persecution of the Jenu Kuruba, who are just trying to live in peace on their own land,' said Caroline Pearce, director of Survival International. 'As we've seen time and again, conservation – in this case a Tiger Reserve – is being used as a pretext to violate Indigenous rights. It is time to stop this abusive and colonial model of fortress conservation.' The Jenu Kuruba had lived alongside and worshipped tigers for generations. They decided to return because their sacred spirits, who still dwell in the old village location, became angry at being abandoned when the community was forced from the forest in the 1980s. This is a developing story.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
African Charity Tied to Prince Harry Admits to 'Human Rights Abuses' by Park Rangers
African Parks, a charity where Prince Harry serves on the board of directors, confirmed that an investigation found its rangers committed human rights abuses against indigenous communities. "We deeply regret the pain and suffering that these have caused to the victims," African Parks said in their statement The Duke of Sussex has been involved with the organization since 2016, serving as president before joining the board of directorsAn African conservation charity backed by Prince Harry is facing intense scrutiny after acknowledging that its rangers committed human rights abuses against indigenous communities in the Republic of Congo. African Parks, which currently manages 23 national parks and protected areas in 13 countries across the continent, had an independent investigation conducted into the allegations that their rangers raped, beat and tortured indigenous people. On May 8, the organization released a statement confirming that the investigation had concluded and found "that, in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred." However, African Parks did not publicly release the full details of the findings by Omnia Strategy LLP, a London-based human rights law firm. PEOPLE has reached out to the Duke of Sussex for comment. He has not publicly commented on the investigation or its findings. "We deeply regret the pain and suffering that these have caused to the victims," African Parks said in their statement. "Omnia's process also highlighted several failures of our systems and processes that were insufficient for the level of responsibility given to us, particularly in the early years of our management of [Odzala-Kokoua National Park]." African Parks continued, "We are committed to addressing the shortcomings that have been identified. Further, where sufficient evidence is available, we will take action against staff members implicated in incidents not yet known about, or that had not been adequately dealt with. The Board is confident that the institutional improvements implemented over the past five years, along with those planned for the coming months – incorporating valuable recommendations from Omnia – will mitigate risks in the future." Survival International, which was among the groups to raise the abuse concerns, reacted to African Parks' statement, criticizing them for not releasing details of the investigation. Director Caroline Pearce said, "Baka men and women have been beaten, tortured and raped in Odzala-Kokoua National Park by rangers who are managed and paid for by African Parks. The charity has known this for many years, but it was only after Survival complained to Prince Harry, and the ensuing global media story, that the charity finally commissioned this 'independent investigation.' " 'We still don't know the details of what they found, because African Parks has refused to allow the findings to be made public," Pearce continued. "It has committed to more reports, more staff and more guidelines – but such approaches have not prevented horrific abuses and violations of international human rights law in the decade or more that African Parks has known of these atrocities, and there is no reason to believe they will do so now." Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Prince Harry, 40, first partnered with African Parks in 2016 and became president of the non-profit conservation group that manages national parks across the continent the following year. In 2023, he was appointed to an elevated role as a member of the board of directors. In 2022, the Duke of Sussex co-hosted U.S. officials, conservationists and philanthropists on a tour of protected wildlife and nature preserves under the management of African Parks in Zambia, Mozambique and Rwanda. Africa is a place close to Prince Harry's heart — he's even called it his "second home" — and he has visited the continent on many occasions since childhood. The prince has made many public and private trips to Africa through the years, also co-founding Sentebale in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to support young people in Southern Africa. However, Harry recently resigned from Sentebale amid what has been characterized as a financial crisis and internal turmoil. On March 26, the Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso announced their "devastating" decision to step down as patrons of the charity, backing the trustees who also resigned over a fallout with chairwoman Dr. Sophie Chandauka. After the trustees asked Chandauka to resign due to financial strain under her leadership, she brought a lawsuit against the organization. The Charity Commission, based in the U.K., confirmed they are investigating. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Planned Indian Mega-Port Could 'Wipe Out' Isolated Tribe
The Shompen, residents of a small island in the Indian Ocean, are among the world's last isolated tribes. But that may soon change as the Indian government moves forward with plans for a massive port that could 'wipe out' the tribe, a watchdog group says. The government aims to build a shipping terminal, airport, military base, power plant, and city of some 650,000 people on Great Nicobar Island, which lies a thousand miles from mainland India near the Indonesian island of Sumatra. According to a new report from Survival International, the $9 billion project would eradicate much of the rainforest on which the Shompen depend, while outsiders would introduce infectious diseases to which the Shompen have little or no immunity. In February, 39 genocide experts wrote to the Indian government, warning that if the port project proceeds, 'it will be a death sentence for the Shompen, tantamount to the international crime of genocide.' Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav has said the project 'will not disturb or displace' the Shompen. But the Indian government has not sought the tribe's free, prior, and informed consent, in violation of national and international law, according to the new report. Only 300 Shompen live on the Great Nicobar Island, most of whom have no contact with the outside world. Great Nicobar is part of a chain of islands that is also home to the Sentinelese people, another isolated tribe. Earlier this month, an American influencer was arrested for attempting to make contact with the Sentinelese. Caroline Pearce, head of Survival International, said that if Indian officials are going to prosecute an influencer for trying to reach the Sentinelese, 'they cannot justify building a city of 650,000 people on the island of their uncontacted neighbors the Shompen.' In War-Torn Sudan, a Gold Mining Boom Takes a Human Toll
Muscat Daily
05-04-2025
- Muscat Daily
US tourist arrested for entering forbidden Indian island
New Delhi, India – An American tourist was arrested for entering a restricted island with an isolated tribe carrying a can of Diet Coke and a coconut, Indian police said on Thursday. The 24-year-old man entered North Sentinel Island, part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands off India's southeastern coast. He wanted to meet the Sentinelese people, who are untouched by the modern world. Numbering around 150, the Sentinelese shun all contact with the outside world and have been known to throw spears at anyone who comes close. Their language and culture remain a mystery to outsiders. Visit recorded on GoPro camera The tourist allegedly used an inflatable boat with a motor to travel about 35km (22 miles) into the open sea from the main island to the restricted area. Indians and foreign nationals alike are banned from traveling within five kilometres of North Sentinel Island in order to protect the Indigenous people from diseases and to preserve their way of life. 'He landed briefly for about five minutes, left the offerings on the shore, collected sand samples, and recorded a video before returning to his boat. A review of his GoPro camera footage showed his entry and landing into the restricted North Sentinel Island,' Andaman and Nicobar Islands police chief HGS Dhaliwal told the AFP news agency. 'The American citizen was presented before the local court after his arrest and is now on a three-day remand for further interrogation,' he added. Prior attempts to visit the island Police said the tourist previously tried to enter the island in October 2024 using an inflatable kayak, but was stopped by the hotel staff. He later attempted again in January 2025. This time he initially tried to catch attention by using a whistle. He then left the coconut and Diet Coke as a 'gift' and made no contact with the tribe, locals said. It is unclear what punishment he may receive. The Andamans are also home to the 400-strong Jarawa tribe, who activists say are also threatened by contact from outsiders. 'It's very well known by now that uncontacted peoples have no immunity to common outside diseases like flu or measles, which could completely wipe them out,' Caroline Pearce, the director of Survival International, an organisation that works to protect indigenous people told the DPA news agency. She said the tourist's apparent behaviour was 'idiotic'. In 2018, an American missionary illegally landed on North Sentinel Island. The inhabitants are believed to have killed him with arrows. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, close to Myanmar, are strategically important for India and lie on key shipping routes. New Delhi has plans to create air and naval bases in the archipelago. DW
