Aggressions from development: indigenous populations, international rules and extractive industries

Abstract

This article analyzes the strategies used by the network of indigenous rights before the impact of the extractive industries, inside a scheme of development and diffusion of international norms, and the assumption of these norms on the part of the state actors, international organizations and other transnational actors. The article argues that the cases of exploitation of resources in specific communities and its devastating impacts for the cultural and material survival of these communities have served both as sources of information to legitimize the international claims for recognition, and as tools in demanding moral or juridical responsibilities. In spite of the primary interest of the states and companies in the access to the natural resources in the traditional indigenous territories, these activities meet themselves increasingly disciplined by international procedures that limit in certain ways the capacity of action of these actors, and concern the definition of their interests.