WWF published ‘Embedding Human Rights into Nature Conservation: from Intent to Action’, a report from an Independent Panel it commissioned last year to review WWF’s role in relation to reported human rights abuses by some government rangers in the most complex and remote areas where it works. The Panel, chaired by former UN High Commissioner… Continue reading WWF commissioned report acknowledges human rights abuses in WWF projects
Tag: Congo
Despite size, Congo Basin attracts less funding than other major forest areas
RICHARD EBA’A ATYI Stronger capacities and governance needed to boost international support for Central African forests The Congo Basin is home to the second largest tropical forest in the world, but it is well behind Southeast Asia and the Amazon region in terms of attracting international funding for sustainable management and nature protection, according to… Continue reading Despite size, Congo Basin attracts less funding than other major forest areas
You have stolen our forest.” Baka “Pygmies”’ heartfelt plea to European Commission
Hundreds of Baka “Pygmies” from the Congo rainforest have written to the European Commission, pleading with officials to visit them and ask their “advice and guidance” before providing more funds for the hugely controversial Messok Dja park on their land. The European Commission is one of the main funders of the project in the Republic of Congo, but the Baka say:… Continue reading You have stolen our forest.” Baka “Pygmies”’ heartfelt plea to European Commission
Germany freezes funding to WWF earmarked for Congo after reports of human abuse
The German government has frozen funding to WWF following a series of investigations by Buzzfeed revealing that the charity funds, equips, and works directly with forces that have tortured, raped and killed people. WWF has repeatedly suppressed accusations of violence and abuse. Earlier this month, BuzzFeed revealed that WWF had kept evidence of gang rape and torture at its German- and US- funded Salonga park under wraps.… Continue reading Germany freezes funding to WWF earmarked for Congo after reports of human abuse
Are oil rights in Salonga National Park in DR Congo null and void?
Global Witness reveals that an opaque Guernsey-owned company’s oil rights threatening a protected national park in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could be null and void, according to their legal analysis. In February 2018, Guernsey-owned oil company CoMiCo won approval for a contract originally signed in 2007, under a previous version of the oil law.… Continue reading Are oil rights in Salonga National Park in DR Congo null and void?
Hydropower project in DR Congo : A Deal for Chinese and European companies
On October 16, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government announced a 14 billion USD joint and exclusive development agreement with a consortium of Chinese and European developers to construct the Inga 3 hydroelectric dam, following years of delay and controversy. The Chinese consortium is led by China Three Gorges, alongside a European consortium, led… Continue reading Hydropower project in DR Congo : A Deal for Chinese and European companies
Deep in the jungle, scientists explore the links between the Congo and climate change
Daniel Grossman Two researchers are working on separate projects to try to better understand how the Congo rainforest, second in size only to the Amazon, will respond to climate change — and in turn, impact climate change. The town of Yangambi, about 60 miles west of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s much larger city, Kisangani,… Continue reading Deep in the jungle, scientists explore the links between the Congo and climate change
Widespread abuse funded by big conservation organizations
A new Survival International report details widespread and systematic human rights abuses in the Congo Basin, by wildlife guards funded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and other big conservation organizations. The report documents serious instances of abuse between 1989 and the present day in Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic (CAR) by guards… Continue reading Widespread abuse funded by big conservation organizations
Children paid in moonshine and glue for cleaning toilets in central Africa
Children in the African rainforests have been paid in glue to sniff, and alcohol, in return for menial work Market traders in the Republic of Congo plying children from the Bayaka tribe with glue in 2013, in exchange for cleaning out latrines. In Cameroon Baka tribespeople, illegally evicted from their forest homes, are often paid… Continue reading Children paid in moonshine and glue for cleaning toilets in central Africa
UN leaders, together with actor and activist Alec Baldwin, announce Equator Prize 2015 winners
The winners- A Brazilian indigenous group that inspired the film Avatar A conservation outfit in Indonesia that is saving sea turtles A movement for pygmy rights in Congo A community-based organization restoring conflict affected areas in Afghanistan Leaders from the UN joined actor and activist Alec Baldwin announced 21 winning initiatives for the 2015 Equator Prize, an international award that… Continue reading UN leaders, together with actor and activist Alec Baldwin, announce Equator Prize 2015 winners