This case is about the rights of the indigenous Kaliña and Lokono people in Suriname. During the 1960s through the 1980s, the State established three separate nature reserves on Kaliña and Lokono ancestral territory. These reserves negatively impacted the indigenous groups by preventing the groups from accessing certain parts of their lands. The State also began mining in the nature preserves, which had a significant negative impact on the area's ecosystem. Lastly, the State began to sell land to non-indigenous people that was contiguous to Kaliña and Lokono land, and facilitated the development of an urban housing project. As Suriname does not recognize indigenous groups as legal entities, the petitioners were unable to collectively retain title to their lands. The Court found that the State had violated the American Convention on Human Rights.
Case Summary: Kaliña and Lokono Peoples v. Suriname