A new Early Day Motion, EDM 1299, has been tabled by members of the APPG, calling on the UK government to sign ILO Convention 169 on the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples.

Vice-Chair Andrew George and Secretary David Drew with Davi Kopenawa

The APPG met Davi Kopenawa, Yanomami shaman from Brazil dubbed the ‘Dalai Lama of the rainforest’ at a reception held in parliament.

Davi told MPs and peers that the best way to save the world’s rainforests is to protect the rights of tribal peoples.

Davi Kopenawa, a Yanomami shaman from Brazil, dubbed ‘the Dalai Lama of the rainforest’ by the German Berliner Morgenpost newspaper, will be the special guest at a reception hosted by the APPG in June.

The APPG will host the premier screening of a short film about the Dongria Kondh tribe of India who are resisting plans by British mining company, Vedanta, to build a bauxite mine on their land.

The film, ‘Mine: story of a sacred mountain’, is narrated by Joanna Lumley and will be screened in parliament on 1st April.

Dongria Kondh woman, Orissa

The APPG held its AGM on 11th February. David Drew MP was elected as the group’s secretary and Harry Cohen as assistant secretary. Martin Horwood, Andrew George and John Bercow were re-elected.

Martin Horwood MP, Chair, with Victoria Tauli-Corpuz

Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, met with members of the APPG on a recent visit to London.

158 MPs signed an Early Day Motion, tabled by Martin Horwood, calling on the UK government to ratify ILO Convention 169 on the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples. 82 were from the Labour party, 55 from the Liberal Democrats and 6 from the Conservatives.

Oscar winning actress, Julie Christie, and a member of the Bawm tribe of Bangladesh were the special guests at a reception hosted by the APPG.

Lal Amlai spoke to guests about the problems faced by the eleven ‘Jumma’ tribes of the Chittagong Hill Tracts and talked about the importance of protecting tribal peoples’ rights.

Brazilian Yanomami shaman Davi Kopenawa Yanomami visits Westminster to call on the UK government to ratify ILO Convention 169.

Right Livelihood Award winner and Botswana Bushman, Roy Sesana, with Martin Horwood MP.

Roy visited Westminster to speak about the Bushmen’s campaign to return home to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.