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© Salomé/Survival |
The future of the recently contacted Jarawa people of the Andaman Islands is
to be decided at a closed meeting on 7 and 8 April, in defiance of the Indian
High Court which ordered 'open discussions' on the issue.
The Jarawa are one of four 'Negrito' tribes of the Andaman Islands. The
neighbouring Great Andamanese and Onge tribes were decimated following forced
settlement by British and Indian authorities, but the Jarawa resisted all
contact with outsiders until 1997. Now their survival is threatened by a road
bulldozed illegally through their land, bringing poachers, exploitation, and new
diseases to which they have no immunity.
In 1999 the High Court commissioned an 'Expert Committee' to study the Jarawa
and to make recommendations on how to protect them. It also ordered the Andamans
administration to organise seminars of 'experts, national and
international….., anthropologists, sociologists and…. non-governmental
organisations having knowledge and experience in the matter.' Instead, most of
those invited to this week's meeting are current or former Indian government
employees and members of the committee whose report is to be discussed. The
meeting was announced at the last minute, and Survival was told that no
'foreigners' will be allowed to attend.
Survival's director Stephen Corry said today, 'The handling of this
seminar is a clear attempt to stifle debate. The voices of people with
experience of working with the Andaman tribes, and with recently-contacted
tribal peoples around the world, are being silenced. The mistakes made with the
Great Andamanese and the Onge must not be repeated. The Jarawa's rights to their
land and to decide their own future must be respected. India has an historic
opportunity to implement a policy to ensure the Jarawa's survival as an
independent and self-confident people for many generations to
come.'
View Related Material to read Survival's recent letter sent to Indian authorities.
For more information contact Miriam Ross (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
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