Incomindios

Description

Incomindios is a human rights organization working for the rights of Indigenous peoples of the Americas. It was founded in 1974, at the suggestion of members of the International Indian Treaty Council, to give Indian groups access to the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations in Geneva. It is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with a branch in London.

The organization advocates for recognition, self-determination and justice for Indigenous peoples worldwide, with a particular focus on North, Central and South America. Since 2003 it has held non-governmental organization status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Its work is carried out through voluntary working groups. Today Incomindios Switzerland has more than 1,000 members.

These groups have worked for the release of Leonard Peltier, against uranium mining on Indian lands, and for better education and communications infrastructure for Indigenous communities. The organization’s three key areas of focus are rights, culture and education, and natural resources.