The International Land and Forest Tenure Facility calls on the Government of the Philippines to rectify the criminalization of Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, Joan Carling, and other defenders of indigenous and community rights. As a development finance institution dedicated to sustainable rural development, the Tenure Facility is concerned by the Government of the Philippines decision on 21 February 2018 to label many indigenous and community activists and human rights defenders as terrorists. The accused include Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Tenure Facility Board Member, as well as Joan Carling, a member of the Tenure Facility’s Advisory Group. Ms Tauli-Corpuz and Ms Carling have dedicated their lives to ensuring that that the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities are protected, and have served as beacons for exploring creative, innovative, and inclusive ways for a more prosperous and sustainable global future. Along with concerned citizens, governments, and businesses around the world, we support indigenous and community leaders in their efforts to ensure a more peaceful, prosperous future for all.
Victoria Tauli-Corpuz is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and a member of the Tenure Facility’s Board. See her
Joan Carling is the former Secretary-General of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact and a member of the Tenure Facility’s Advisory Group.
