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The stories of #THEYSHOULDHAVEKNOWNBETTER need to be heard and told

in every corner of the world.

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Facebook

It's time to call the worldwide criminalization of Indigenous Peoples what it is: A global crisis.
The UN's leading voice on indigenous rights is raising the alarm in a new report: TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com

Threats. Violence. Criminalization. Murder.
The UN's leading voice on indigenous rights says there is a devastating pattern of persecution and abuse facing Indigenous Peoples in every corner of the world. It’s time to end impunity for the perpetrators.  
TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com

More than 2/3 of the 312 human rights defenders murdered in 2017 were defending their lands, the environment, or indigenous rights. There must be no more impunity for those who commit crimes against human rights activists. TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com/blog-front-line-defenders

Twitter

Theme: General

It's time to call the worldwide criminalization of Indigenous Peoples what it is: A global crisis.
The UN's leading voice on indigenous rights, @UNSR_VickyTauli, is raising the alarm.
#TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com

Threats. Violence. Criminalization. Murder.
The UN's leading voice on indigenous rights says there is a devastating pattern of persecution and abuse facing Indigenous Peoples in every corner of the world.  It’s time to end impunity for the perpetrators.
#TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com

"They want to exterminate us, the Indigenous Peoples." –Jorge Nahuel of #Argentina
Around the world, indigenous communities face violence and legal harassment for defending their land rights.
#TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com

"There is an escalating effort to silence the voices of Indigenous Peoples who dare to defend their communities' lands—and it is being carried out by the collusion between governments and corporations."
–@UNSR_VickyTauli #TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com

For too long, Indigenous Peoples have been marginalized by the world's justice systems. Those who commit violence against them walk free, while court systems are weaponized to punish indigenous land rights defenders.
#TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com

Theme: Human Rights Defenders

67% of the 312 human rights defenders murdered in 2017 were defending their lands, the environment, or indigenous rights.
There must be no more impunity for those who commit crimes against human rights activists.
#TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com/blog-front-line-defenders

"Corrupt elites risk not only destroying the lives and culture of Indigenous Peoples, but also destroying the environment on which our collective future survival depends."
–Andrew Anderson, Executive Director @FrontLineHRD
#TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com/blog-front-line-defenders

About 80% of the murders of human rights defenders in 2017 took place in just 4 countries.
Brazil.
Colombia.
Mexico.
The Philippines.
There must be no more impunity for those who commit crimes against human rights activists.
#TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com

Country: Argentina


"They want to exterminate us, the Indigenous Peoples."
Jorge Nahuel, indigenous rights activist of la Confederación Mapuche de Neuquén,  calls for an end to impunity for those who commit violence against Indigenous Peoples.
#TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com/argentina

Country: Colombia

Colombia is suffering from an increase in threats against social leaders, including those from indigenous communities.
#TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com/colombia

"The criminalization of Indigenous Peoples is logically designed to follow the policy of neoliberal development," says Aida Marina Vivas of @ONIC_Colombia. "This can be seen not only in #Colombia, but across the world." #TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com/colombia

Country: Guatemala

In #Guatemala, crimes against Indigenous Peoples are not considered attacks, explains K'iche' land defender Lolita Chávez: "We are expected to reach an agreement with the perpetrators." It's time to end the impunity.
#TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com/Guatemala

Country: Indonesia

When the Seko Indigenous Peoples resisted a hydropower plant in Indonesia, 14 were imprisoned, says @RumahAMAN. Governments must respect—not criminalize—indigenous rights defenders.
#TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com/indonesia

Country: Liberia

In Liberia, Alfred Brownell defended community members from false criminal charges. "It was a lawyer's nightmare," he says. "They are waging wars against Indigenous Peoples and individuals who are protecting the planet."
#TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com/a-lawyers-nightmare

Country: Lao PDR

"In Laos, a group of villagers seeking fair compensation for the loss of their land has allegedly been detained for over a year. Four have died in custody under suspicious circumstances." –@asgrindroz
#TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com

Country: Peru

In #Peru, criminalization occurs not only through criminal law but also through other state policies: “Before, preliminary arrests could only be made for 24 hours; now people can be detained for up to 15 days.” #TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com/peru 

"Businesses can find ways to protect their own interests. But, what mechanisms do we have as Indigenous Peoples when our rights have been affected?" –José Bayardo Chata Pacoricona, Peru#TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com/peru

Country: Philippines

As the UN's top indigenous rights defender, she heard hundreds of cases of Indigenous Peoples being criminalized and attacked by corrupt governments.
Then her own government labelled her a "terrorist."
#TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter.com

Instagram

We must put an end to the disturbing practice of giving impunity to those who commit crimes against Indigenous Peoples. #TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter

The systematic violation of Indigenous Peoples' rights isn't just a pattern. It's a global crisis. Join us in the call to hold perpetrators accountable.  #TheyShouldHaveKnownBetter

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