Know Your Rights Related to REDD+ A Guide for Indigenous and Local Community Leaders

Summary

Know Your Rights Related to REDD+ (My Guide) provides fundamental information about human rights that you can use to defend the rights of communities and indigenous peoples in confronting issues related to Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) initiatives. It is also relevant in the context of other forest governance initiatives, such as the Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Action Plan (FLEGT).

My Guide was created by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) in response to a direct solicitation from indigenous communities who requested basic information about REDD+, specific questions to ask during the REDD+ process, and international legal tools that can be used to defend rights. My Guide was written for local community and indigenous leaders as well as their advocates.

My Guide starts by exploring what REDD+ is and what the REDD+ safeguards are. It then clarifies what rights are related to REDD+. Finally, it offers advice on some practical questions you could ask as a leader in your community to ensure that your rights are protected and that you are well-positioned to negotiate in REDD+ processes, if you choose to do so.

The information contained in My Guide is for general information purposes. It serves as a starting point to protect and strengthen rights in the context of REDD+. It does not replace direct legal assistance, nor does it cover all REDD+ issues.