APA..Newsletter # 3
National News..New Book: Indigenous Peoples, Land Rights and Mining in the Upper Mazaruni

The APA, the Upper Mazaruni Amerindian District Council and the Forest Peoples Programme are pleased to announce the publication of ‘Indigenous Peoples, Land Rights and Mining in the Upper Mazaruni

As the name suggests, the book deals with land rights and mining in relation with the Amerindians. It looks at Amerindian land rights in Guyana and the Upper Mazaruni; mining in Guyana and the Upper Mazaruni, and the situation in each of the Upper Mazaruni villages. It also includs are a number of letters and statements made by the communities urging the government to address the question of Amerindian land rights.

In the introduction of the book by Captain Lawrence Anselmo of Paruima, one of the main authors, he states;

"This report, therefore, is the result of the collective call made by the Amerindians of the Upper Mazaruni Amerindian District to compile a detailed report on mining so that others may hear what is happening to us and the true situation in the Upper Mazaruni. We believe that in doing this we are simply asking that our fundamental rights, especially our land rights, be respected. Many non- Indigenous people in Guyana believe that the key to development is exploitation of natural resources. Must we really destroy our environment for development; must we the Amerindians pay that price. If this continues our very survival is at risk and our basic rights will continue to be violated."

The book was published by the Global Law Association in the Netherlands and is available at the APA Office in Georgetown.