1.2 Why is Free, Prior and Informed Consent important?
Indigenous Peoples in Guyana and in other countries have the most at stake when development and conservation
projects take place on or near our lands and territories. But these projects are still often imposed without Indigenous
Peoples having any meaningful chance to participate, be consulted or negotiate and without respect for Indigenous
rights or our own plans for own land.
The results can be disastrous. With no say, Indigenous Peoples in other countries have often found their forests
logged, lands mined, valleys flooded, hunting grounds fenced off, and waters polluted. All of this can happen to us.
We could be forced to leave our lands. Or we may be economically displaced, which means we are no longer able to
earn a living, as we have in the past.
Even though these projects often promise benefits, few benefits stay with Indigenous communities. Instead, many
communities end up poorer and worse off than before.
Why does this happen? Sometimes governments feel that the traditional ways of Indigenous Peoples prevent the
rest of the country from benefiting from mining or other industries. Some companies don’t want to take the time
to involve Indigenous Peoples because delays cost them more money. And sometimes it happens because project
proponents know nothing about Indigenous Peoples. They may not even know that we have inherent rights that they
have to respect. We have to tell them and keep reminding them!
Properly applied Free, Prior and Informed Consent processes should stop these abuses. It should mean:
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That projects that will cause more harm than good do not go ahead because our people will refuse them;
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That projects only go ahead when Indigenous Peoples will get clear benefits from them, and if steps are
taken to mitigate or lessen negative impacts; and
•
That our community’s decision to say “Yes” or “No” is respected.
Getting it right is not easy. In exercising the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent we need to:
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Be well organised and prepared;
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Make sure we fully understand the proposal(s);
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First agree on what we want to do and stick to that position. We have to stay unified; and
•
Assert our position and rights in negotiations, or through any other strategy we choose to take.
A practical guide for Indigenous Peoples in Guyana
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