Amnesty International is publishing this multi-country case study, together with two guides on researching processes of participation and consent in decision-making, to highlight the voices of Indigenous leaders and campaigners who discuss the impact of the pandemic on the right to education of Indigenous Peoples.
As they developed measures to address the COVID 19 pandemic, the indigenous representatives that we spoke to highlighted that many governments failed to consult and obtain the free prior and informed consent (FPIC) of Indigenous Peoples’ and as a result, those measures failed to take into account the realities, cultures and rights of Indigenous Peoples, and in many cases, caused actual harm. The case study aims, therefore, to present a clear example of the risks and long-lasting consequences of not respecting FPIC rights through the voices of indigenous leaders and activists. Amnesty International is hoping to contribute with lessons learned that States can draw from to respond to future crisis in a way that respects Indigenous Peoples rights. Additionally, this briefing also raises concerns about the long-lasting consequences that the pandemic still has on Indigenous Peoples, especially young people’s access to education and States obligations to provide remedy.
