Apr 6, 2005
Update

OGIEK LEADER FACES MASSIVE PERSECUTION & DEATH THREATS

Nairobi, 31.03.2005 (WTN) - Since the beginning of 2005 there has been hardly a week in which the co-founder and leader of the Ogiek Welfare Council (OWC), Mr. J.K. Towett, has not been subject to direct harassment, attempts to intimidate him or serious threats to his life and personal safety.

 ...  (more)

Feb 25, 2005
Update

Initiation in Mau forest

(in Dutch "initiation" also means literally de-greening)
Photographer Geert van Kesteren visits the Ogiek in Kenya
English translation of the main article of the jan-feb 2005 issue of Indigo,
magazine on indigenous peoples, p. 9-11:

Photo journalist and winner of the Silver Camera Geert van Kesteren travels  ...  (more)

Feb 8, 2005
Update

Ogieks protest against eviction
East African Standard
04 Feb 2005

By Wanjiru Macharia and Paul Jimbo

Over 500 members of the Ogiek community on Wednesday demonstrated against their eviction from Nkaretta Forest in Mau East, Narok District.

Chanting slogans against the Provincial Administration, they claimed the forest  ...  (more)

Jan 5, 2004
Followup Action

Last month, Kenyans celebrated 40 years of independence. But the Ogiek, one of Kenya's last forest dwelling indigenous peoples, have yet to win rights to their forests. Two years ago, Global Response issued our first action alert on behalf of the Ogiek and forest conservation in Kenya (please see http://www.globalresponse.org/gra_index/gra0102.html). Since then, a more progressive and democratic government has come to power in Kenya; still the situation of the Ogiek remains unchanged.  ...  (more)

Jan 5, 2004
Followup Action

Last month, Kenyans celebrated 40 years of independence. But the Ogiek, one of Kenya’s last forest dwelling indigenous peoples, have yet to win rights to their forests. Two years ago, Global Response issued our first action alert on behalf of the Ogiek and forest conservation in Kenya (please see gra.php?i=1/02). Since then, a more progressive and democratic government has come to power in Kenya; still the situation of the Ogiek remains unchanged.  ...  (more)

Jul 7, 2003
Update

Here's an update on the campaign to stop mining in protected forest areas in Indonesia. We'll let you know as soon as we learn the government's decision on the issue. Thanks again for every letter you wrote in support of the Indonesian campaign. --Paula

Dear Friends,

We would like to extend a big thank you to all those who have supported the letter writing campaign to Indonesian government officials/embassies as a decision looms on  ...  (more)

Jan 15, 2003
Victory!

The landslide election of president Mwai Kibaki on December 27, 2002, brings hope for a more democratic, less corrupt, and more environmentally responsible government in Kenya. Professor Wangari Maathai, famed leader of Kenya’s Green Belt Movement, was named Vice Minister of the Environment.

Logging and private land allocations in the forests that former president Moi removed from protected status have been stopped. Global Response letters last year asked for the forests to  ...  (more)