Jéssica Maria, from the Wapixana people, Environmental Manager at the Department of Territorial and Environmental Management (DGTA) of the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR), is participating in the IV Workshop on the UN and OAS System, international protection for indigenous peoples, which has been taking place since March 21 and ends today (23).
The aim of the workshop is to guide and train participants on the mechanisms that international bodies have in place and that directly engage with traditional peoples.
The workshop also included the participation of Juma Xipaia, an indigenous leader and Secretary for the Articulation and Promotion of Indigenous Rights, Aniele Franco, Brazil's Minister of Racial Equality, and leaders from national indigenous organizations.
According to Jessica Maria, the workshop has been held annually since 2018. She also spoke about the importance of learning about new mechanisms and how they will help indigenous peoples.
“Learning about the instruments of the UN and the OAS is important for prioritizing themes and strategies for international advocacy. It helps us understand ways to guarantee the human rights of indigenous peoples and the spaces where we can act.
Complaints, international pressure on our government, understanding which conventions and protocols Brazil has ratified, is a party to, and how to demand compliance.Jessica stated.
The event is organized by the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), the Amazon Cooperation Network (RCA), and the United Nations (UN), with support from IEPÉ, the Ford Foundation, Rainforest Alliance, and the Race and Equality Institute.
