Joint Alternative Report of Indigenous World Association and Laguna-Acoma Coalition for a Safe Environment Report to the UN Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

CONSIDERATION OF THE 7th, 8th and 9th PERIODIC REPORTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNDER ARTICLE 9 OF THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION 

JOINT ALTERNATIVE REPORT of INDIGENOUS WORLD ASSOCIATION 

AND LAGUNA-ACOMA COALITION FOR A SAFE ENVIRONMENT: 

The Case of Mt. Taylor, A Sacred Cultural Landscape 

July 21, 2014

Mt. Taylor (“Kaaweesthiimaa” in the Acoma language, “Tsibiinaa” in the Laguna language), a sacred landscape and area to Acoma, Laguna, and other Indigenous Nations in the region, is under threat of irreparable harm should proposed uranium mining by Roca Honda Resources, LLC, and others proceed in the area. Despite the recognition of this area as a traditional cultural property under federal and state law, the United States Forest Service, an agency of the United States government, has taken actions which substantively disregard United States obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), especially rights with regard to property, health, and participation in cultural activities provided in Article 5 of the ICERD. Despite the Recommendation of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (hereinafter “CERD”) in 2008, to ensure that activities carried out in areas of spiritual and cultural significance to Native Americans do not have a negative impact on the enjoyment of their rights under the Convention,

Click here to download a pdf of the Joint Alternative Report:  IWA andLACSE Joint Alternative Report.CERD 85th Session.July 21.2014