The world’s indigenous peoples are making themselves heard in international arenas, and at the national level, where their growing mobilisation is translating into political muscle. But many challenges remain in the fight for recognition of all their rights.

EGYPT: Where World War II Now Targets the Indigenous
By Cam McGrath
EL ALAMEIN (IPS) – It has been more than 65 years since the guns fell silent, but the World War II desert battlefields where Allied forces defeated Rommel’s Afrika Corps are still claiming lives. Each year the casualty count grows, as Bedouins planting crops, herding livestock and collecting scrap metal are killed or maimed by rusting landmines and munitions hidden beneath the baking sands of Egypt’s North West Coast.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46488

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PERU: Where the Poor Pay More for Water
By Ángel Páez
LOMAS DE MANCHAY, Peru (IPS) – In Lomas de Manchay, an area of slum-covered hills outside of the Peruvian capital that is home to 50,000 people, mainly poor indigenous migrants from the highlands, clean water is worth gold ? almost literally.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46451

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RIGHTS: Roma Are Scapegoats During Downturn
By Marina Litvinsky
WASHINGTON (IPS) – On International Roma Day, Wednesday, human rights groups voiced their concern for the discrimination and violence against Roma in European countries.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46446

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READ ALSO:

ENVIRONMENT: Paper and Fuel Wood Biggest Stresses on Forests
Analysis by Lester R. Brown*
WASHINGTON (IPS) – Protecting the earth?s nearly 4 billion hectares of remaining forests and replanting those already lost are both essential for restoring the earth?s health, an important foundation for the new economy.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46494

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ENVIRONMENT: Earth’s Arctic Freezer Turning Into Hothouse
By Stephen Leahy
UXBRIDGE (IPS) – The world is losing its northern freezer as Arctic winter ice is in sharp decline, NASA scientists reported this week. Even with below average winter temperatures, Arctic ice is thinner and covers less area than it did a decade ago.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46462

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PERU: Bailout of Mining Co. Eclipses Environmental Disaster
By Milagros Salazar
LIMA (IPS) – The Peruvian government refused to bail out the U.S. mining and metallurgical company Doe Run, which has caused severe pollution in the highlands city of La Oroya, from its severe financial troubles.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46445

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