Free distribution and airplay for Pacifica Affliates interested in worldwide Indigenous affairs for the week of August 9th to 16th, 2012

STORY ONE: SOURCE: Climate Connections (www.climateconnections.org) In
Africa - MOSHI, Tanzania

A logging boom has hit Tanzania's tourist-drawing Kilimanjaro region, reducing the region's native forests, hitting rainfall and leading to unusually high temperatures. The increasingly extreme weather has come as a surprise to people who live a stone's throw from one of the world's heritage sites, and who had been used to a cold, misty climate. Forests play an in important role in maintaining natural water cycles around Mt. Kilimanjaro, but the region's forests are disappearing as a result of growing demand for timber across the country and unmanaged logging of trees for timber and charcoal making, residents in the region say. The government has accused unscrupulous timber dealers, who collude with corrupt officials, for driving the destruction. But forests also have come under pressure as people in the area struggle to meet their energy needs by making charcoal. Particularly hard hit are the region's "Erica" trees, which thrive (8,850 feet) above sea level and that local people believe are crucial to helping collect cloud moisture. The trees, now on the verge of extinction, according to people in the village of Machame, also provide traditional medicine used to treat fever and diarrhea. Growing rainfall shortages in Machame have led some farmers to set up irrigation systems for their fields, while others have moved to cities to find other work.

STORY TWO: SOURCE: Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources (www.indigenouspeoplesissues.com) In Chile The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemns the injuries suffered by children of the Mapuche indigenous people in Chile, during the eviction operation conducted by Carabineros' police officers. The IACHR urges the State to investigate the facts and sanction those responsible, and to adopt measures in order to avoid in the future the excesive use of force in these operations. In addition, the Commission urges the State of Chile to adopt special measures of protection of children in this type of police action.

STORY THREE: SOURCE: Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources (www.indigenouspeoplesissues.com) In Africa: Nigeria: Ogoni Declares Self-Government

"We are acting with legitimacy to reclaim all of our rights, without exception," says Goodluck Diigbo

Jubilations are continuing throughout Ogoniland after the Ogoni people in southern Nigeria, today, Thursday, 2nd of August declared political autonomy.

In a live broadcast on a newly established radio station: Voice of Ogoni, MOSOP President/Spokesman, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo vowed that:"By this declaration of political autonomy, we, the Ogoni people are determined to enforce the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples, without fear or retreat," Diigbo said.

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