A new report by Survival International has brought to light the United Nations’ complicity in the violent eviction of Indigenous people from six World Heritage Sites in Africa and Asia. These sites are often the stolen ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples, who are being forcibly kept out through intimidation and terror. Caroline Pearce, director of Survival International, emphasized that UNESCO, the scientific and cultural branch of the U.N., must revoke World Heritage Status from any site where such abuses are occurring.
In 2010, UNESCO decided that the Maasai population and their cattle should not exceed the capacity of Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania. However, reports have emerged that Maasai have been arrested, tortured, and had their cattle stolen, with the government even cutting off health services in an effort to drive them away. A Maasai leader expressed feeling sick and confused, attributing the evictions to UNESCO’s endorsement.
In 2018, UNESCO advised the Democratic Republic of Congo to expel illegal occupants from Kahuzi-Beiga National Park, resulting in the removal of Indigenous Batwa. A subsequent report from Minority Rights Group accused Congolese soldiers of rape, murder, and burning alive over 20 Batwa individuals. One Batwa woman recounted being assaulted by soldiers in 2021 while expressing resolve to remain in the forest despite dangers.
The report also highlighted forced evictions of Indigenous peoples from Odzala-Kokoua National Park in Cameroon, Kaziranga National Park in India, Chitwan National Park in Nepal, and Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex in Thailand. UNESCO denied these allegations but emphasized its commitment to upholding Indigenous peoples’ rights in managing World Heritage Sites.
