What the Crimean Indigenous Peoples REALLY need from the World

What the Crimean Indigenous Peoples REALLY need from the World

March 18th, 2014

By: Tai Pelli

You see all this about Russia and Ukraine having Crimea as the prized possession.  You see it in the news, you flick the channel, you see it on the internet, you scroll down...

Let me share with you why this is so important to me,

My biggest concern are the Indigenous Peoples of Crimea, particularly, the Crimean Tatars. They had lived in Crimea for hundreds of years. Change in governments  began an ethnic cleansing and genocide; over 200,000 people died of disease and starvation when they were deported from their homeland into Siberia and Central Asia. (That is a lot of people.) As a strategy to “fill” Crimea, many Russians were sent to Crimea to increase their population in this territory. In the mid 1900’s, Crimea was "given" to Ukraine, while the Soviet Union was still intact. It was not until the 1990's that Crimean Tatars began filtering back to Crimea, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and still under Gorbachev. The thing is, Indigenous Peoples in Crimea, are not recognized as such by either country, not Ukraine, not Russia! They are considered something else, "minority groups". The ideal situation for many in power, would be the total assimilation and abandonment of their cultural practices, religion and knowledge.

Ukraine swore up and down that the Crimean Tatars would pick up arms in this conflict to defend Ukraine from Russia.  This information was spread by the news. The reality being that Crimean Tatars have no interest in engaging in any type of violence or conflict, much less pick up arms to defend one side or another. What they do want is the guaranteed safety of their Peoples and the respect of their inherent Human Rights as defined by International Law, by both parties.

Although we may see much debate on the validity of the referendum that took place in Ukraine, the bottom line is that Russia is going through with it, as if all is ok. (In their eyes, it is.) A majority vote, leaned towards reintegration to Russia. We already knew that Crimea had a Russian population of over 60%. Most Crimean Tatars did not vote, as they followed instructions  given by their leaders. Those who voted, felt it was under duress, concerned at an expressed risk of losing their governmental jobs. It is estimated that about 90% of Crimean Tatars did not vote.

The big question now is; what is going to happen to the Crimean Tatars? A couple of days ago Russia stated the paramilitary gangs were out of their control. What does this mean now? Will all the Indigenous Peoples of Crimea be respected and protected from any part of this conflict or will they end up reliving that, which their own grandparents lived? Will they be deported, will they be forbidden from speaking their languages, teaching their culture, practicing their religion, etc?

It is here where we need to know the strength of those International Laws, Covenants and Treaties which have been written, signed and ratified by many countries. If they do not want to act upon the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, (both Russia and Ukraine abstained from voting), adopted in September 2007, then perhaps we still have International Law and these other Mechanisms, which are legally binding, and protect the inherent fundamental basic human right to self-determination, Free, Prior and Informed Consent and the right of Liberty and Security of person, among others.

Here are some of the suggestions that could help the Indigenous Peoples of Crimea:

·         Fact finding mission as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) had began to do, but had to leave Crimea.

·         A Statement from The Special Rapporteur on the situation of Indigenous Peoples of Crimea, particularly Crimean Tatars

·         A Statement from the High Commissioner of the Human Rights Council

·         An invitation to a Delegation of Indigenous Peoples from Crimea to the HRC office to make a presentation to the HC, it’s designated representative or ad hoc Commission.

The future is very uncertain and unstable for all Indigenous Peoples of Crimea. Timely action and Public Awareness are of the essence.

I urge all NGO’s, Indigenous Organizations, Indigenous Nations,  Indigenous and Human Rights Advocates to make their voices be heard and send your letters to the applicable Mechanisms to help our brothers and sisters.

The Real Story about how Crimea's Indigenous Peoples are affected by this conflict

The Real Story about how Crimea's Indigenous Peoples are affected by this conflict

Dr. Nadir Bekir, my Crimean Tatar dear brother, here at the United Nations

The US is not the only country that manipulates the information released by the press. MANY, MANY countries do it. Take for example, Ukraine and Russia, ....countries that deny Indigenous Peoples Rights, and do not even like to use the term "Indigenous Peoples", rather "national minorities", and are doing what they can to destroy indigenous languages, even if on paper it sounds like they protect them, and since we all know, we live in a society where what's on paper is what "counts".....even with all that, These Countries who have their eye in Crimea, all of a sudden remember the Crimean Tatars, for example, (The largest group of IP's in Ukraine), and in their news casts are saying how they (crimean Tatars) will pick up arms to defend them...(Ukraine says that, the other side, Russia, is also using this methodology, well knowing that Crimea has 60% russian population.)

The funny thing is Crimean Tatars are not siding with either, for they have endured much at the hands of both, including being massacred. International Law (again, something that was written on paper), addresses Free, Prior, Informed Consent...in a nutshell, if an action is going to impact an IP's, they MUST HAVE FPIC, period, there is no way around it! ...again...on paper!

As I have indicated before, our brothers and sisters in many places of the world, have had to endure the "extinction myths", and the non-recognition of IP's by their governments, and the many speeches by politicians and academics, that love to create fear speaking about divisions of peoples, if they allow for "these other ones" to claim and exercise their inherent right to self-determination, which in reality, as much as some will like to mock it, is a fundamental, basic human right according to International Law....

As an Advocate of Indigenous, Human and Environmental Rights, I am compelled to inform you what our brothers and sisters are living in Crimea. Of course my brother and sister who as I, advocate for these same rights at the United Nations, and other International Platforms, are in a place of much instability with opposing forces who only placed IP's at great risk.

Do NOT buy for a second what statements you watch in the networks which at some time, had some credibility, but who we now know, are mere puppets of the TRUE RULERS of this country...remember, the members of the Elite Club called "We the People"...(that does not mean YOU, for you are not part of the club!)

By letting the world know that Crimean IP's ARE NOT siding with either force, and presenting that it is a scare tactic, we may help our brothers and sisters. If you have a contact that is interested in this subject, and is legit, let me know. In the meantime, feel free to share this post, as the more people know, the better!

Tai Pelli 

The Doctrine of Discovery and its effects

The Doctrine of Discovery and its effects

(Original version written in Spanish on May 17^th, 2012)

This year at the 11^th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the theme to be discussed was “The Doctrine of Discovery”. A vast array of areas in which the effects and ramifications of this cruel doctrine continue to impact Indigenous Peoples adversely, and how it is still being applied today and at a Global Level.

In the Americas, we experienced the arrival (invasion) of flag ships over 519 years ago, however now, we encounter the multi-nationals that continue presenting a mask for a so-called economic progress for some, and the despair and destruction for the masses, particularly, Indigenous Peoples, whether or not they are recognized, or continue to be invisible/extinct, as the best excuse to continue taking over lands, knowledge and resources from which depends the livelihood and sustenance of the Indigenous Peoples.

I was dumbfounded, as I learned the stories of so many people at a Global scale, who like the Taíno, have had to deal with and fight the myth of the so-called extinction. It seems to have been an effective method, which has been utilized for hundreds of years, hence creating a curtain of invisibility before the governments, where the human rights of the Indigenous Peoples are excluded. To me, it was incredible to listen to these stories from people from other parts of the world and continents: Asia, Transcaucasia, Central and South America, The Pacific and Africa; it was, as we say in my beloved Borikén (Puerto Rico), “to listen to a scratched up long play (LP) record!”

One of the most impacting things for me to hear was the fact that there is still a problem in categorizing the Indigenous as a PERSON. Yes! That’s right! There is resistance to consider us as people! (The term Indigenous Peoples, refers to the different Indigenous groups/tribes/nations)

Winston Churchill said once, during one of his speeches that: “when we don’t learn from what has happened historically, we are apt to repeat it.” Well, I say we are more than half a millennia behind, if Indigenous Peoples are still seen as sub-human, savages, heathens, etc., and whose lands and resources seem to become a “free for all” when conceptualizing the Indigenous this way.

The Taíno, The Charrúa, The Pipil, Indigenous Peoples from Bangladesh, from Crimea, The Munda, among so many, many Indigenous Nations, continue on this intense battle to run the curtain of invisibility. Even Peoples like  - and this is just an example – The Maasai from Kenya, Kayapó and many others from the Xingú River in Brazil, The Ñuña from Mexico, The Kuna from Panamá, continue to be trampled over by the injustices of an established system that does not encompass nor protects their rights in the same fashion that the rights of non-indigenous people are upheld and defended. They speak about an equality of paper; for that is not a reality. The Mining companies, the hydroelectric plants, Developers continue to invade and take over indigenous lands, without any care as to who they stomp over, while at it. The courts dictate, but it does not matter. We are well aware that Belo Monte could care less, when a Cease order was issued by a court in Brazil.

During a peaceful protest In Panamá against these type abuses (mining/hydroelectric plant/dam) six Ngobe women were arrested and later raped in the patrol cars, a crime that is yet to see any justice.

The Maasai People from Kenya, fight to defend the forest that sustains them, yet they are facing the threat of deforestation to developers. So, what about the survival of the Maasai? The same Maasai that helps the Ogiek Tribe from Kenya!

The Climate Changes to which so many want to close their eyes to, are already affecting people, putting at risk not only their methods of nourishment, but their own lives and everything related to their way of life, traditions, customs and homes.

Ah! People watched Al Gore’s video, others see the icebergs from the Poles as something that only affected the Titanic, and even when they may have seen something that shows they are melting, it seems as though they think the only ones that will be affected are the polar bears and the penguins. They forget that if they are melting, it is increasing the sea level, and that the planet has islands and coasts everywhere.

The beautiful and small island of Tuvalú, in the Pacific, is already being affected. Many of its inhabitants have felt the need to move to New Zealand,, leaving behind many times, loved ones and an entire life. The island floods, each time more than the last. Gardens and crops don’t grow when they are saturated with salt water. You see, these floods are not particularly caused by rain, but by ocean tides that continue rising and taking over the land. It has been estimated (by those who say know a lot), that from here to 2050, Tuvalú will be totally submerged. The people from Tuvalú, who have not damaged the environment with toxic gases and who have had their autonomy, could lose their island and their everything, as a consequence of the actions of others that continue to spread their lethal virus, that makes them think more of profits than life, or even the planet in which they live on.

In every case aforementioned, when the help of authorities has been sought, the message received has been a : “The hell with you!” Between money and Indigenous Peoples, the money is chosen.

We have lost the sense of humanity. Every day, we see beautiful messages in the social networks, yet we need to go beyond that. Change begins with us, in our own homes, in our conscience.

What’s happening to our planet, regardless of divisions, languages or colors, is of everyone’s concern. Eventually, this too, will knock at your front door, and as I always say: “Life is about choices!”, you either choose to die in the misery of inaction, or you join the effort to defend the most important race in the planet, the human race!

I hope you care!

Tai Pelli