The following are links leading to papers and other websites alike to help further your understanding of what VIDS does as well as what we fight for. Some links will lead you to other organizations that VIDS works closely with, such as the Forest People Programme (FPP).

Securing Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Conservation in Suriname: A review.

This is an FPP series report on forest peoples and protected areas conducted by VIDS, published on 5 October 2009. This report focuses on the question ‘To what extent is Suriname is making progress in terms of respecting and promoting indigenous peoples’ rights in relation to conservation policies and practices, particularly in protected areas?’ Lees Meer

Our Indigenous Territory on the Corantijn.

This is a VIDS report created to show the government, companies, and organizations, what the Corantijn area means to the Indigenous Peoples of West Suriname. Lees Meer

Free, Prior and Informed Consent: Two Cases from Suriname

This is a FPP and ASA (Association of Saramaka Authorities) study from March 2007, addressing two distinct situations in Suriname. 1) Logging and bio-prospecting in the territory of the Saramaka people; and 2) mining and related issues in the territory of the Lokono indigenous people of west Suriname. The study’s main focus is on how the Saramaka and Lokono peoples view what is happening in their territory and how it may affect their traditional knowledge and various relationships with their traditional territories and the biological diversity therein. Lees Meer

Recognition and Support of ICCAs in Suriname

Case study done by VIDS in October 2012, for the Recognizing and Supporting Territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Lees Meer >>

An Analysis of International Law, National Legislation, Judgement, and Institutions as they interrelate with territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

Authored by VIDS and published by Natural Justice in Bangalore and Kalpavriksh in Pune and Delhi in September 2012. This current legal review concludes that indigenous peoples (and tribal peoples) are not legally recognized as peoples or collectivities in Surinamese legislation, nor are their (collective) rights, among others their rights to their traditional lands, territories and resources, the right to free, prior and informed consent, the right to participation and consultation and of their traditional authorities and governance structures. Lees Meer