Leaked map reveals Ethiopia's mass evictions plan 15 March, 2012
Map-
http://assets.survivalinternational.org/documents/744/ewca-location-map-of-t
he-project-area.pdf
Ethiopian authorities have inadvertently revealed the existence of highly
ambitious plans to resettle
<
http://www.survivalinternational.org/tribes/omovalley> Lower Omo Valley
tribes who stand in the way of a massive plantations scheme.
The map was included in an internal report by the country's Wildlife
Conservation Authority (EWCA), into the environmental impact of planned
sugarcane plantations in the Omo.
Leaked to Survival International, the map shows where Ethiopia intends to
resettle tribes whose land and communities stand in the way of their
'development' plans.
It reveals the huge ambition of the project, which is already destroying the
land of tribes such as the Mursi, Bodi and Kwegu.
Reliable sources have confirmed to Survival that construction has already
begun on at least three resettlement camps on Bodi land in the north of the
Lower Omo Valley.
<
http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/8115> Violent human rights
abuses against all indigenous communities in the Omo Valley are becoming
commonplace, as the rush to 'develop' gathers pace.
One Mursi man told Survival, 'I am waiting to die because the government has
taken my land.The government is collecting all the people in the Omo Valley
to put in one place.'
Many tribespeople have been told that the government will take away their
cattle (
<
http://www.survivalinternational.org/tribes/omovalley/wayoflife#main> a
vital part of their livelihood). They will then have little choice but to
become workers on the plantations which will occupy their lands.
One Bodi told Survival, 'The government is lying to us. It says to us, you
have to move down the Omo Valley. We will give you everything to eat and
drink.'
Survival's Director Stephen Corry said today, 'This leaked map reveals what
the Ethiopian government has wanted to conceal - its intention to resettle
indigenous tribes in the Lower Omo Valley. Taken together with the
widespread reports of violent evictions and intimidation, it clearly shows
Ethiopia's end goal - and its refusal to respect the rights of anybody who
stands in its way.'
<
http://assets.survivalinternational.org/documents/744/ewca-location-map-of-
the-project-area.pdf> Download the full map (pdf, 1.2 MB)
Note to Editors: UNESCO is currently in Kenya for a week-long fact finding
mission in and around Lake Turkana. The visit started on Wednesday 14th
March, and follows UN concerns over the cultural and environmental impact of
Ethiopia's
<
http://www.survivalinternational.org/tribes/omovalley/gibedam#main> GIBE
III dam on the half a million people living downstream, particularly around
Lake Turkana.
<
http://assets.survivalinternational.org/pictures/1939/7-original-final_scre
en.jpg> Two Dassanach girls in the Omo Valley. They are one of many tribes
under threat.Two Dassanach girls in the Omo Valley. They are one of many
tribes under threat.
C Survival
<
http://assets.survivalinternational.org/pictures/1932/eth-omo-2012-0162_scr
een.jpg> A Mursi village. The tribe have suffered brutal attacks.
<
http://assets.survivalinternational.org/pictures/1982/ewca-map_screen.jpg>
A copy of the leaked Ethiopia map. Survival has highlighted the three
resettlement areas.
A copy of the leaked Ethiopia map. Survival has highlighted the three
resettlement areas.
C Survival
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Received on Thu Mar 15 2012 - 17:49:58 EDT
