Indigenous Peoples
Statement: serious concerns over restrictive measures on environmental civil society organisations in Cameroon
The Forestry Ministry in Cameroon has issued new rules for civil society that severely restrict the ability of civil society organisations (CSOs) to function independently. With this letter FERN, Global Witness, Greenpeace Africa, Milieudefensie and Rainforest Foundation UK call upon Cameroon’s international partners, including the Dutch government, to ensure the highly restrictive measures are repealed. … Read more
BRIEFING: SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS
To find out more about RFUK’s Sustainable Conversation and Human Rights campaign, this briefing explains why conventional conservation models need to change, what needs to be done to effect this change and how RFUK and our local and Indigenous partners work on this issue.
New RFUK report highlights the continuing lack of protected area accountability in the Congo Basin
Following the latest round of negotiations over the future of biodiversity conservation efforts at COP16, a new report by RFUK urges for accountability and redress for the past and ongoing harms caused by fortress conservation programmes across the Congo Basin. ‘Righting Wrongs‘ highlights the pressing need for effective, independent and sufficiently-resourced Grievance and Redress Mechanisms, … Read more
Indigenous-led forest monitoring initiative leads to powerful action against illegal miners in Peru
A two-year Indigenous-led forest monitoring initiative in Peru’s Madre de Dios region has yielded remarkable results, leading to unprecedented legal action against illegal mining operations. This project confirms once again the power of combining community-led monitoring with state-of-the-art technologies to protect climate critical forests. Faced with many different challenges, including Peru’s political crisis and increased … Read more
Reflecting on ‘Lands in the Right Hands’
This September, to mark our 35th anniversary, Rainforest Foundation UK had the immense pleasure of hosting ‘Lands in the Right Hands,’ an immersive rainforest event that brought the magic of the Congo Basin to the heart of London. As we reflect on the evening, we are filled with gratitude for the great turnout and enthusiastic … Read more
Introducing ForestEye, a cutting-edge tool for local deforestation analysis
RFUK is thrilled to announce the beta launch of ForestEye, an innovative web-based tool designed to provide precise, local analysis of deforestation. Developed by RFUK’s Mapping and Development team, ForestEye is set to transform the way deforestation is monitored, understood and addressed at the grassroots level. ForestEye was conceived in response to increasing demands for … Read more
Recognising the sacrifices of Indigenous Defenders in the Amazon
On this International Day of Indigenous Peoples, we are partnering with AIDESEP, the national Indigenous organisation in Peru, to celebrate the courage and resilience of Indigenous environmental defenders and call for their right to life to be upheld. These communities, whom we consider our partners and colleagues, bear a heavy burden in their efforts to … Read more
The African Commission sets a significant precedent for Indigenous Peoples’ land rights in the conservation of DRC’s forests
Forest Peoples Programmes (FPP), Amnesty International (AI), Indigenous Peoples’ Law and Policy Programme (IPLP) and Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) welcome the landmark decision the African Commission of Human and Peoples Rights made last week in favour of the Batwa people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Following a decades long legal battle, the Commission found … Read more
Introducing Kerry Lemon
By Louise Cordery Introducing “Lands in the Right Hands”: An Immersive Art Experience with Kerry Lemon This 5 September, Rainforest Foundation UK is taking a bold, creative leap. We’re blending the worlds of immersive art and environmental activism to bring the rainforest to you in a whole new way. Art has always been a powerful … Read more
RFUK publishes new guidelines for Indigenous Peoples and local communities faced with carbon market projects
Amid a surge in demand for forest land in the Congo Basin for carbon offset projects, RFUK has launched a new set of guidelines to help impacted local communities to better understand these projects and how to exercise their rights in relation to them. Carbon offset projects are often marketed as a win-win solution to … Read more