Safeguard C: Respect for knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples and members of local communities

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REDD+ activities respect the knowledge and rights of forest-dependent indigenous peoples and members of local communities

  •  Rights to lands and resources relevant to REDD+ activities are identified and mapped
  • Rights to lands and resources are recognized and respected by REDD+ strategies, plans and activities
  • REDD+ strategies, plans and activities support equitable access to forest resources and benefits are shared equitably
  • Appropriate compensation and/or other remedies are provided in the case of involuntary resettlement and/or economic displacement resulting from REDD+ activities
  • Free, prior and informed consent of forest-dependent indigenous peoples and local communities is obtained for REDD+ activities affecting their collective rights to lands and resources
  • Forest-dependent indigenous Peoples and local communities’ traditional knowledge and cultural heritage are recognized and respected by REDD+ strategies, plans and activities
  1. Stakeholders Participatory Structures for forest dependent people/indigenous people provided the platform for consulting and providing feedback to the forest dependent people/indigenous people. These processes were mainly led by the CSO and other rights-based organizations. Consultations and feedback messages were translated in vernacular for ease of communication.
  2. Forest dependent people/indigenous people representatives actively participation the REDD+ Steering Committee and National Technical Committee.
  3. The processes leading to design of SESA/ESMF, SIS, GRM and BSA sought participation of forest dependent people/indigenous people and communities through consultations meetings, provision of feedback and publicizing the REDD+ process and outcomes in vernacular.
  4. An IPPF was developed to enhance the participation of forest dependent people/indigenous people
Relevant Ugandan policies, laws and regulations

There are number of Ugandan policies, laws and regulations that provide for respect of the knowledge and rights of marginalised local communities including the following:

  •  The Constitution of Uganda (1995)
  • Equal Opportunities Act (2007)
  • The Land Act (Cap 227)
  • The National Environment Act (2019)
  • National Forestry and Tree Planting Act (2003)
Recommendations
  •  Enforce laws on prior payment of fair and adequate compensation to land owners.
  • Introduce clear legal provisions for the sharing of revenue (benefits) from REDD+ such as is the case with oil revenue.