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Ethnic conflict and natural resources

This study explores the relationship between ethnic conflict and the exploitation of natural resources, with a focus on the rights and challenges faced by indigenous populations. It examines the impact of development projects and highlights the need for consultation and inclusion of indigenous peoples in decision-making processes. The study also emphasizes the responsibility of indigenous communities in preserving natural resources and promoting sustainable development.

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Ethnic conflict and natural resources

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  1. Ethnicconflict and natural resources Natividad Gutiérrez Chong UNAM., MSc., PhD London Instituto de Investigaciones Sociales Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

  2. Mexicoisone of thebest places in theworldfortheexploration and exploitation of natural resources (Empresa minera CAMSIM) 70% isableto be exploited in world-classdeposits of preciousmetals, throughthemethod of open-pitmining. (http://www.sra.gob.mx/sraweb/noticias/noticias-2011/mayo-2011/8133/, La Jornada 10 de diciembre de 2011) 60% of miningproduction in Mexicoisnational, 40% isforeign, mainly Canadian.

  3. Indigenouspeoples • 400 differentethnicgroups. • 50 millionpeople. Fromverysmallgroups, to macro-ethniesornations of somemillions, such as theAymaras, Quechuas, Mayas and Nahuas. • In Guatemala and Bolivia are themayority of thepopulation and account more thanhalf in Peru and Ecuador. • In México, theyrepresent 10% of thepopulation.

  4. What all indigenous peoples share in common • Structuralpoverty. • Social exclusion • Lack of cultural prestige and numberlessrestrictionsthatimpedethemtoparticipating at regional and nationallevels • Lack of opportunitiesfortheirwelfare and development

  5. Capitalism and ethnicpeoples • Development as condition for the modernization of the nation-state has been uneven, given that indigenous peoples have not benefited from the welfare state, they are marginal people, although their lands and natural resources have a great economical value.

  6. Ethnopoliticalactivism and defense of natural resources • Recenthistory: 10 years • Indigenousorganizationshave denounced that, development, linked to economical programs of national governments, have generated different types of violence and massive violations of human rights.

  7. Ethnicconflicts and natural resources • 81 conflicts in the whole of the American Continent • 14 in Mexico • These conflicts are related to the exploitation of natural resources, extraction of renewable and non-renewable resources and environmental damage (http://www.orgindal.org • Sistema de Consulta de lasorganizacionesindígenas y conflictosétnicos en lasAméricas SICETNO banco de datos). • 166 indigenous organizations and NGO´s have denounced consistently damages and threats before the national and international communities, caused by the effects of development to which they do not participate, it is a development that has impoverished them but has benefited others.

  8. Threerecurrentaxesexplainingethnicconflictivity • 1. Threatening to environment (global warming) and its negative consequences to the way of life and habitat. • 2. Indigenous peoples seeking constitutional recognition • 3. Highest social and environmental impact as the result of megaprojects • (http://www.orgindal.org • Sistema de Consulta de lasorganizacionesindígenas y conflictosétnicos en lasAméricas SICETNO banco de datos).

  9. Ethnicactivism • Extensive continental rejection to megaprojects linked to transnational capital • Economical activities are far from satisfying indigenous needs and interests. It is also perceived as an intromission to the state national sovereignty. • Rejection to urbanization and development that excludes them, or only favors the development of other peoples. • Projects of development are implemented without existing a previous consultation. Often indigenous peoples do not have enough information about the reasons accounting for the privatization of their land and other resources.

  10. Indigenouspeoples and theirresponsibilitytowardsdevelopment • 29% of indigenous peoples inhabit rural areas. • Great responsibility for the preservation of natural resources and environment. • Sustainable development of natural resources, adequate training, philosophy of “buenvivir” –better living- Pachamamanismo, development without causing damage to all living beings, without violence and threat. • Proposals for the conservation and management of natural resources according to their historical experience and wisdom: Inventory of flora and fauna, ecological reservoirs, internal rules of procedure, recycling and adequate disposal of toxic materials. • Organizations to defend themselves against illegal logging, narco corridors, and mining exploitations, such as the policíascomunitarias from Puebla and Guerrero. • Right to autonomy and free-determination, models of governance

  11. Natural resources in indigenouslands and territories • Hydrocarbons • Water resources • Power • Minerals • Forests • Archaeological areas • Ecological tourism • Tourist coasts

  12. Ethnicconflict in theAmericas • Indigenous activism generating public visibility against damage and threats • Right for consultation • Inclusion in the agenda for development. Convenio 169 sobre Pueblos Indígenas y Tribales (Artículos 7, 13, 15, 17).

  13. Consultation as a mean to counteract indigenous impoverishment • 1991, hace 21 años, entró en vigencia el Convenio 169 de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo, sobre Pueblos Indígenas y Tribales, • derecho de los pueblos a ser consultados en todos los asuntos que puedan afectar sus vidas, sus derechos. Idealmente las instituciones involucradas recaban su opinión y se negocian acuerdos, a partir de un dialogo de buena fe, utilizando mecanismos culturales apropiados e información completa y fidedigna. • Septiembre de 2007, la Asamblea General de la Organización de Naciones Unidas, aprobó la Declaración Universal de los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas y el artículo 19 señala la obligación de los estados para celebrar consultas y aplicar medidas legislativas con respecto al desarrollo, la explotación de recursos naturales, hídricos y de otro tipo. • Estas recomendaciones tienen disposiciones vinculantes que obligan a los estados a cumplirlas, hasta ahora, hay incumplimiento en muchos estados del continente. • En México, después de 21 años, se ha formulado un proyecto de decreto que expide la ley general de Consulta a Pueblos y Comunidades Indígenas, se eleva la consulta a categoría de ley, a fin de que se convierta en una coordinación efectiva entre desarrollo, políticas e intereses indígenas (mayo de 2011) Informe final de la Consulta sobre el Anteproyecto de Ley General de Consulta a Pueblos y Comunidades Indígenas http://www.cdi.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=85&Itemid=200019

  14. Characteristics of ethnicconflictivity • a) low tendency to rebel against the state • b) low use of violence by indigenous peoples in conflict • c) very high use of violence and threat against indigenous peoples by national and transnational actors • d) very high exclusion and discrimination • Source: “Conflictos étnicos y etno nacionalismos: modelos de análisis para el continente americano” Etnicidad y conflicto en las Amèricas. Territorios y reconocimiento constitucional • Volumen I, Natividad Gutiérrez Chong (in press)

  15. Recent ethnic conflicts

  16. Indigenouslands and capitalism • en promedio 60 por ciento del ejido nacional se encuentra rentado, en estados como Tamaulipas, Sonora y Baja California, el porcentaje de tierras en renta varía entre el 70 y 90%. • Empresas mineras extranjeras se han estado beneficiando de la renta de tierras en el país. En Zacatecas, las comunidades de El Vergel, Las Mesas, Cedros y El Refugio pertenecientes al municipio de Mazapil, rentaron 5 mil 400 hectáreas a la firma canadiense Gold Corp, empresa que opera una mina de oro a cielo abierto, considerada, la más grande de extracción de oro y plata en su tipo en América Latina (La Jornada, 12 de marzo de 2012). • En el año 2011, el 35 por ciento de la superficie estatal de Zacatecas esta concesionada a mineras (Subdirección de Minas de la Secretaría de Economía, en http://ntrzacatecas.com/2011/12/28/otorga-sedezac-110-concesiones-mineras-en-zacatecas/. Consulta 23 de marzo de 2012)

  17. Explotación minera en México, 2010 • País Empresas Concesiones • Canadá 187 559 • Estados Unidos 31 88 • Australia 4 28 • Reino Unido 3 8 • India 1 2 • Japón 1 1 • Corea / Canadá 1 1 • Luxemburgo 1 6 • Perú 1 7 • Chile/ México 1 4 • 231 704 • Fuente: Dirección General de Minas, Secretaría de Economía

  18. Catálogonacional de tierras e inversionistas, 2011

  19. Agrarianareasturnedintominingconcessions • 2011 - 332 concessions • 2012 - 764 concessions • Up to-date: 25.4 millones de hectáreas y concentra a 498 inversionistas nacionales y extranjeros (http://www.pa.gob.mx/paweb/sala_prensa/boletines/2012/2712.html)

  20. Conflictosporrecursosnaturales

  21. Mining and ethnicconflict 2010 Guerrero (Costa Chica y la Montaña) comunidades Malintepec, Zapotitlán Tablas, Tlacoapa, San Luis Acatlán. Nearly 200 mil ha havebeengiven in concessiontothefollowingminingcompanies, withoutconsultingindigenouspeoples: HochshildMinning, Minera Zalamera S.A. de C.V (Chava ResourcesLtd), Camsim Minas. S.A de C.V. Theseprojects are affectingfourrivers, Papagayo and Balsas. TheorganizationPolicia Comunitaria isopposingtheprojects.

  22. Mining and ethnicconflict • Oaxaca, 8% of theterritoryisunderconcessionto 19 foreignminingcompanies, mainlyCanadian: Fortuna Silvery su filial en México Cuzcatlán. • Region of Ocotlán and Ejutlaare found 4 miningprojects, in San José del Progreso, la Coordinadora de Pueblos Unidos del Valle de Ocotlán (CPUVO), has a conflictwith Canadian mining. Violence and leader assassination

  23. Violence, mining and ethnic conflict • Assassination of leaders Bernardo Vásquez y Bernardo Méndez, who have been opposing the Canadian-Mexican project Cuzcatlán. • 21st March. Protest at the Canadian Embassy. Members of environmental organizations, human rights, and Coordinadora de los Pueblos Unidos del Valle de Ocotlán (CPUVO), were demanding to the Mexican government to withdraw concessions as these are open–pit mining, ie. Generates pollution and depletes water resources, and do not generate any economical benefit to indigenous peoples. (La Jornada, 22 de marzo de 2012)

  24. Canadian Miningcompanies in Mexico

  25. Canadian miningcompanies in Mexico

  26. Challenges ahead … • 1. Right of autonomy and free – determination • 2. Political representativeness • 3. Consultation • 4. Transformation of the existing mono cultural nation - state

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