CLA News / Borneo Rainforest Law Conference session report: Indigenous people and resource extraction – the balance of interests

A8: Indigenous people and resource extraction – the balance of interests

With Chair Lord Robert Carnwarth CVO opening the session, Adrian Banie Lasimbang centred the session and spirits with music. He spoke passionately about indigenous struggles in Sabah and the challenge of balancing commercial interests and indigenous rights, particularly in relation to resource extraction.

Shanta Martin moved participants with stories of indigenous resistance to mining across the world in the face of gross human rights abuses, and efforts to use court and non-litigious processes to seek redress.

Emrys Nekvapil  highlighted the conflict of sovereignties and challenges inherent in reconciling indigenous laws and legal frameworks sourced from colonial powers, particularly in the context of mining.

Dr Judith Preston spoke to the need for indigenous participation and inclusion in environmental regulation and decision-making, canvassing case studies of Australian indigenous groups taking action to enforce their rights.

Fiona Ey

CLA Council member for Samoa