RAIKA BIO-CULTURAL PROTOCOL
APPENDIX
APPENDIX II: OUR RIGHTS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW
We the Raika in this Raika Biocultural Community Protocol
farmers since the origins of agriculture, and have co-evolved
identify the following principles and rights based on
with economies, cultures, knowledge systems and societies.
international law:
Unlike most wild biodiversity, domestic animal resources
require continuous active human management, sensitive
Principle 1: The Raika are creators of breeds
and custodians of their animal genetic
resources for food and agriculture.
Over the course of history, the Raika have managed and
to their unique nature”.
Principle 2: The Raika and the sustainable
use of traditional breeds are dependent on
the conservation of our ecosystem.
bred livestock, selected and used them, thus shaping them
so they are well-adapted to our environment and
Our traditional breeds are developed through the interaction
its extremes. Keeping these breeds is a vital part of our culture
between our livestock, the Raika pastoralists and our natural
and livelihoods. Yet these breeds and our livelihoods
environment. This natural environment is conserved, inter
are under risk through loss of access to our traditional
alia, through traditional practices of the Raika, and traditional
grazing lands. This has endangered our food security and
breeds lose their specific characteristics once removed from
our way of life. As recognised in the Global Plan of Action
this ecosystem. The Raika therefore have a right to access
for Animal Genetic Resources and the Interlaken Declaration
our natural environment, so as to ensure the sustainable use
on Animal Genetic Resources, livestock keeping communities
and conservation of our breeds and the environment.
are thus the creators and custodians of the breeds that they
maintain. We have therefore earned certain custodianship
Principle 2 is supported by:
rights over these breeds, including the right to decide how
others use the genetic resources embodied in our breeds.
Article 8 of the Convention on Biological Diversity: “genetic
resources should be conserved in the surroundings in
Principle 1 is supported by:
which they have developed their distinct properties”.
Point 9 of the Interlaken Declaration on Animal Genetic
Article 10 (d) of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Resources recognizes “that the genetic resources of animal
demands that “local populations are supported to develop
species most critical to food security, sustainable livelihoods
and implement remedial action in degraded areas where
and human well-being are the result of both natural selection,
biological diversity has been reduce”.
and directed selection by smallholders, farmers, pastoralists
and breeders, throughout the world, over generations”.
Chapter 15 (5) (g) of Agenda 21: requires States to
“Take action where necessary for the conservation of
Point 12 of the Interlaken Declaration on Animal Genetic
biological diversity through the in situ conservation of
Resources recognizes “the enormous contribution that the
ecosystems and natural habitats,… and the maintenance
local and indigenous communities and farmers, pastoralists
and recovery of viable populations of species in their
and animal breeders of all regions of the world have made,
natural surroundings.
and will continue to make for the sustainable use,
development and conservation of animal genetic resources
Principle 22 of the Rio Declaration: “Indigenous people and
for food and agriculture”.
their communities and other local communities have a
vital role in environmental management and development
Part I Point 10 of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic
because of their knowledge and traditional practices.
Resources: “all animal genetic resources for food and
States should recognize and duly support their identity,
agriculture are the result of human intervention: they have
culture and interests and enable their effective participation
been consciously selected and improved by pastoralists and
in the achievement of sustainable development”.
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