Survival uncovers shocking human rights abuses in Ethiopia 22 February
http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/8115
Survival, a UK based organisation is an excellent source of case studies on the impacts of Globalisation (tourism, agriculture, mining…) on indigenous people. I have been to this area on a number of occasions and in 2010 I stopped at a huge cleared area of land which has been bought by Malaysians for the growth of palm oil! This internally displaces the tribal people, destroys their unique way of life and brings cultural change which is not a product of their own making. Much of the soil in these areas is relatively poor and the vegetation is acacia scrub which can only sustain low populations densities and extensive agricultural practices. Ethiopia is being bought by large corporations from many countries and the land is being taken out of traditional practice and used for agri-business where all the produce is exported. Does this make sense in a country where the population will double in the next 30 years and where there are food deficits. Land bought for such commercial purposes is taken from the people and reduces their capacity to sustain themselves. Trevor Cole 1.3.2012
