INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ LAND CLAIMS IN THE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS SYSTEM: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE ENDOROIS (2010) and OGIEK (2017 & 2023) DECISIONS

Abstract

The 2023 Ogiek decision of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights is a precedent as its the first time that a regional judicial body has made a decision in favor of indigenous peoples. This nature of the decision led the study to seek answers to the questions of how the land claims of indigenous peoples in Kenya are managed by the main actors of the African Human Rights System and how system has changed its attitude towards indigenous peoples’ land claims. The study uses the qualitative research method, which analyzes legal decisions on the subject by using primary and secondary sources. In the study, Endorois and Ogiek decisions (of the African Court/African Commission) are compared within the scope of decisions that show the approach to indigenous peoples’ land claims in the system. As a result, the similar aspects of the Endorois (2010) and Ogiek (2017&2023) decisions are their legal basis and obligations. The different aspects of the decisions can be listed as the actor who makes decision, the quantitative provision of compensation decision, and the rights emphasized. As a result, although each decision is made according to conditions of relevant indigenous people, it is determined that the attitude towards considering property rights of indigenous peoples regarding their land rights as a collective right is strengthening in Africa. It is also noticed that actions that can be taken in the human rights system regarding rights of indigenous peoples are concentrated on making compensation decisions against the relevant state governments.

Keywords

• African Human Rights System
• Indigenous Peoples
• Land Rights
• Endorois Decision
• Ogiek Decision.

Afrika İnsan Hakları Sisteminde Yerli Halkların Toprak Talepleri: Endorois (2010) ve Ogiek (2017 & 2023) Kararlarının Karşılaştırılması

Abstract

Afrika İnsan ve Halkların Hakları Mahkemesinin 2023 Ogiek kararı, bölgesel bir yargı organı tarafından yerli halkların lehine ilk kez alındığı için emsal teşkil etmektedir. Kararın bu niteliği, çalışmanın Kenya’daki yerli halkların toprak taleplerinin Afrika İnsan Hakları Sisteminin ana aktörleri tarafından nasıl yönetildiği ve sistemde yerli halkların toprak taleplerine ilişkin nasıl bir tutum değişikliği yaşandığı sorularına cevap aramasına neden olmuştur. Çalışma, birincil ve ikincil kaynaklardan yararlanarak konuya ilişkin hukuki kararları analiz eden nitel araştırma yöntemini kullanmaktadır. Çalışmada Sistemde yerli halkların toprak taleplerine olan yaklaşımı gösteren kararlar kapsamında (Afrika Mahkemesinin/Afrika Komisyonunun) Endorois ve Ogiek kararları karşılaştırılmaktadır. Sonuç olarak Endorois (2010) ve Ogiek (2017&2023) kararlarının benzer yönleri; hukuki dayanakları ve yükümlülükler şeklindedir. Kararların farklı yönleri; kararı veren aktör, tazminat kararının nicel olarak verilmesi, vurgulanan haklar olmak üzere sıralanabilmektedir. Neticede her bir karar ilgili yerli halkın koşullarına göre alınsa da Afrika’da yerli halkların toprak haklarına ilişkin mülkiyet hakkının kolektif bir hak olarak değerlendirilmesine ilişkin tutumun güçlendiği saptanmaktadır. Ayrıca yerli halkların haklarına ilişkin insan hakları sisteminde alınabilecek aksiyonların ilgili devlet hükûmetlerine karşı tazminat kararı almak yönünde yoğunlaştığı fark edilmektedir.

Keywords

• Afrika İnsan Hakları Sistemi
• Yerli Halklar
• Toprak Hakkı
• Endorois Kararı
• Ogiek Kararı.

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