Searchable database of alleged violations against Indigenous Peoples' human rights in protected areas and natural parks.

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Title Country Impacted Indigenous People(s) Description of the alleged violations Regional and International Decisions
Mount Elgon National Park Uganda Benet Indigenous People

Historical changes in conservation status to the lands now known as Mt. Elgon National Park have never been done with the Benet’s consultation, Free and Prior Informed Consent, or with adequate provision of compensation. Despite the substantial efforts of Benet communities to resist the encroachment of Park Management on their lands, access to the Mount Elgon region has become increasingly constricted.

Historical changes in conservation status to the lands now known as Mt.

Kaeng Krachan National Park Thailand Karen - Indigenous Peoples of Bang Kloi

The Kaeng Krachan National Park is located in Thailand. It was declared a National Park in 1981 and listed as a World Heritage Site in July 2021 without consultation and consent of Karen Indigenous peoples who have been traditionally occupying these lands. In 2010 and 2011, Karen Indigenous people from settlements near Bang Kloi Bon and Pu Ra Kam were evicted from their lands while their houses, rice granaries, and other possessions were destroyed.

The Kaeng Krachan National Park is located in Thailand.

Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary Cambodia Bunong

The violations against the Bunong can be traced back to the Cambodian government’s granting of Economic Land Concessions (ELC), which are grants given to private companies allowing them to develop agricultural and other operations through mass deforestation. ELC began in 1996 and ended in 2012, but the practice has continued through various legal loopholes.[1] 

The violations against the Bunong can be traced back to the Cambodian government’s granting of Economic Land Concessions (ELC), which are grants given to private companies allowing them to de

Beng Per Wildlife Sanctuary Cambodia Koi / Kouy / Kuy Indigenous Peoples

Starting in 1996, Cambodia initiated economic land concessions (ELCs) permitting land clearance for agriculture and logging, even in protected regions. Although the policy ceased in 2012, widespread corruption has led officials to turn a blind eye to the illegal harvesting and smuggling of timber, primarily to China and Vietnam.[1]

Starting in 1996, Cambodia initiated economic land concessions (ELCs) permitting land clearance for agriculture and logging, even in protected regions.

Bakun Islands National Park Malaysia Orang Ulu

The situation involves multiple human rights violations, including the forced displacement of indigenous communities, destruction of their homes and livelihoods, lack of consultation and consent, and potential exploitation of natural resources for personal gain.[1] Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister and Minister of Resource Planning and Environment, has spearheaded the plan to create the national park and potentially benefit from past logging activities through familial ties

The situation involves multiple human rights violations, including the forced displacement of indigenous communities, destruction of their homes and livelihoods, la

Rapa Nui National Park - Easter Island Chile Rapa Nui

On 15th August 2015, two leaders of the Rapa Nui Parliament (an Indigenous resistance group for Rapa Nui self-determination) by the names Leviante Araki and Mario Tuki, were arrested for impeding access to the ceremonial site of Orongo to a group of tourists who had not agreed to pay the entrance to the Parliament of Rapa Nui.[1] The Chilean Ministry of the Interior subsequently closed the Parliament of Rapa Nui and deployed police forces across the island to repress any further organizing.

On 15th August 2015, two leaders of the Rapa Nui Parliament (an Indigenous resistance group for Rapa Nui self-determination) by the names Leviante Araki and Mario Tuki, were arrested for impe

Sai Thong National Park Thailand BAN SAB WAI COMMUNITY - OR SAPWAI

Fourteen Sab Wai villagers, a small farming community living off their land within the Sai Thong National Park since the 1970s, were first accused of forest encroachment in 2016 and subsequently jailed in 2019. They were released on bail.


In 2021, the Supreme Court sentenced 11 villagers to suspended jail terms and 3 villagers to prison

Fourteen Sab Wai villagers, a small farming community living off their land within the Sai Thong National Park since the 1970s, were first accused of forest encroachment in 2016 and subsequen

Conkouati-Douli National Park Republic of the Congo Baka, Banbongo, Bantu

There is minimal online documentation as to specific violations that have occurred under park management since Conkouati-Douli’s inception, however, a 2017 report by The Rainforest Foundation UK titled ‘The Human Cost of Conservation in Republic of Congo’ provides an extensive historical overview of issues with the park and its poor treatment of Indigenous communities.

There is minimal online documentation as to specific violations that have occurred under park management since Conkouati-Douli’s inception, however, a 2017 report by The Rainforest Foundation

Ob Khan National Park Thailand Karen

There is little public record of violations that have occurred within Ob Khan National Park against Indigenous communities, however, the park expansion project being proposed by the Thailand Government is of great concern and has been widely opposed by the Karen Indigenous communities surrounding the Ob Khan boundaries. According to Indigenous rights activist Patchara Kumchumnam, propaganda against Indigenous custodianship and land management is prolific.

There is little public record of violations that have occurred within Ob Khan National Park against Indigenous communities, however, the park expansion project being proposed by the Thailand

Taman Negara National Park of Peninsular Malaysia Malaysia Batek, Orang Asli, Temiar, Jakun

In June 2019, 14 Orang Asli people from Kg Kuala Kol died and 46 were hospitalized from what was assumed by officials to be an outbreak of a respiratory illness.

In June 2019, 14 Orang Asli people from Kg Kuala Kol died and 46 were hospitalized from what was assumed by officials to be an outbreak of a respiratory illness.

Disclaimer: The Conservation database contains allegations related to human rights violations of indigenous peoples impacted by protected areas, national parks and other conservation measures. Allegations of human rights violations were collected from a wide range of sources, including thematic, country, and fact-finding mission reports submitted by indigenous organizations, individual experts, non-governmental organizations and other civil society actors, newspaper articles, petitions, communications, statements, and other relevant information or materials issued by United Nations  independent experts and human rights mechanisms. The information provided in this database does not necessarily reflect the official views of the University of Arizona, the University of Arizona College of Law, or the University of Arizona Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program, nor is there any guarantee or endorsement of any information or views expressed therein. If you wish to add  additional allegations, please reachout to us via email law-conservation@arizona.edu