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

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 29 Sayı: 1, 137 - 164, 20.06.2025

Hande Sapmaz

https://doi.org/10.60002/ebyuhfd.1658719

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

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

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

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

Kaynakça

• Afrika İnsan ve Halkların Hakları Komisyonu, “Afrika İnsan ve Halkların Hakları Anlaşması (Afrika Anlaşması)”, https://achpr.au.int/en/charter/african-charter-human-and-peoples-rights, E.T. 23.01.2024.
• Afrika İnsan ve Halkların Hakları Komisyonu, “27st Activity Report of The African Commission on Human And Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Submitted in Accordance With Article 54 of The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights”, https://archives.au.int/bitstream/handle/123456789/5354/27th%20Actvitiy%20Report_E.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y, E.T. 20.01.2025.
• Afrika İnsan ve Halkların Hakları Mahkemesi, “Ogiek Kararı”, 006/2012, 2019, https://www.african-court.org/cpmt/details-case/0062012, E.T. 08.08.2024.
• Afrika Komisyonu Çalışma Grubu, “Report Of the African Commission’s Working Group Of Experts on Indigenous Populations/Communities”, https://www.iwgia.org/images/publications/African_Commission_book.pdf, E.T. 08.08.2024.
• Altınçelep, Buket, “Indigenous People and Human Security: The Case Of Ogiek Community in Kenya”, Akdeniz Havzası ve Afrika Medeniyetleri Dergisi, S. 2, (2023), https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/3569044. E.T. 29.04.2025.
• Amao, Olufemi, “The African Regional Human Rights System”, International Human Rights Law: Six Decades After The UDHR and Beyond, Editör, Manisuli Ssenyonjo, Routledge, London 2010, s. 235- 253.
• Barume, Albert Kwokwo, “Indigenous Battling For Land Rights: The Case Of The Ogiek Of Kenya, in International Law And Indigenous Peoples”, International Law and Indigenous Peoples, Editör, Joshua Castellino, Martinuus Nijhoff Publishers, Boston 2005, s. 365- 392.
• Barume, Albert Kwokwo, Land Rights Of Indigenous Peoples in Africa, IWGIA, Copenhagen 2010.
• Cobo, José R. Martínez, “Study Of The Problem Of Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations”, BM Dijtal Kütüphanesi, (Haziran 1972), https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/768953?v=pdf, E.T. 17.01.2025.
• Claridge, Lucy, “Litigation As A Tool For Community Empowerment: The Case Of Kenya’s Ogiek”, Erasmus L. Rev., C. XI, S. 1, 2018, s. 57- 67.
• Claridge, Lucy/Kobei, Daniel, “Protected Areas, Indigenous Rights And Land Restitution: The Ogiek Judgment Of The African Court Of Human And Peoples’ Rights And Community Land Protection in Kenya”, Oryx, C. LVII, S. 3, 2023, s. 313- 324.
• Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), “State Of The World’s Indigenous Peoples”, https://www.refworld.org/reference/themreport/unpfii/2010/en/71711, E.T. 17.01.2025.
• Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, “Kenya - Ogiek People v. District Commissioner Case No. 238/1999 (2000.03.23) (Indigenous Rights to Tinet Forest)”, https://elaw.org/resource/kenya-ogiek-people-v-district-commissioner-case-no-238-1999-2000-03-23-indigenous-rights-to-tinet-forest, E.T. 20.01.2025.
• Feiring, Birgitte “Indigenous Peoples’ Rights To Lands, Territories And Resources”, https://www.charapa.dk/wp-content/uploads/IndigenousPeoplesRightsLandTerritoriesResources2.pdf, E.T. 17.01.2025.
• Gemalmaz, Mehmet Semih, Ulusalüstü İnsan Hakları Hukukunun Genel Teorisine Giriş, Legal, İstanbul 2005.
• Heyns, Christof, “The African Regional Human Rights System: in Need Of Reform”, African Human Rights Law Journal, S. 1, (2001), https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/2471/Heyns_African%282006%29.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y, E.T. 20.01.2024.
• International Labour Organization (ILO), “Indigenous And Tribal Peoples’ Rights in Practice: A Guide To ILO Convention No. 169”, https://www.ilo.org/publications/indigenous-and-tribal-peoples-rights-practice-guide-ilo-convention-no-169, E.T. 17.01.2025.
• Juma, Dan, “Provisional Measures under the African Human Rights System: The African Court’s Order against Libya”, Wis. Int’l LJ, C. XI, S. 2, 2012, s. 344-373.
• Katiba Institute, “Defending Our Future: Overcoming the Challenges of Returning the Ogiek Home, Katiba Institute & Ogiek Peoples Development Programme”, katibainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ogiek-Katiba-Book-Defending-our-future.pdf, E.T. 10.01.2025.
• Makoloo, Maurice Odhiambo/Yash, Ghai, “Kenya: Minorities, Indigenous Peoples And Ethnic Diversity”, London: Minority Rights Group International, (2005), https://minorityrights.org/app/uploads/2023/12/download-147-kenya-minorities-indigenous-peoples-and-ethnic-diversity.pdf, E.T. 10.01.2025.
• Matheka, Reuben, “The International Dimension of the Politics of Wildlife Conservation in Kenya, 1958-1968”, Journal of Eastern African Studies, C. II, S. 1, 2008, s. 112-133.
• Mbu Nelson Balye/Endoh Fabrice Tambe, “A Commentary On The African Court On Human And Peoples’ Rights’ Remedial Approach in Its Ruling On Reparations in African Commission On Human And Peoples’ Rights V Kenya”, African Human Rights Yearbook, 2023, https://www.african-court.org/wpafc/african-human-rights-yearbook/, E.T. 12.07.2024.
• Minorty Rights Group, “Implement Endorois Decision 276/03: Report On The Impact Of Non-Implementation Of The African Commission’s Endorois Decision”, https://minorityrights.org/resources/implement-endorois-decision-276-03-report-on-the-impact-of-non-implementation-of-the-african-commissions-endorois-decision/#:~:text=This%20report%20demonstrates%20that%20the,and%20a%20life%20of%20destitution, E.T. 20.01.2025.
• Minority Rights Group, “Endorois in Kenya”, https://minorityrights.org/communities/endorois/, E.T. 10.01.2025. Morel, Cynthia, “Defending Human Rights in Africa: The Case for Minority and Indigenous Rights”, Essex Human Rights Review, C. I, S. 1, 2004, s. 54-65.
• Mutua, Makau, “The African Human Rights Court: A Two-Legged Stool?”, Human Rights Quarterly, C. XXI, S. 2, 1999, s. 342-363.
• Ochien’g, Diana Achieng, The Rights to Land of Indigenous Peoples’ in Kenya: A Case Study of The Ogiek Community and The Conflict of Articles Portrayed in The Constitution of Kenya, Doktora Tezi, Strathmore University Law School, 2017.
• Özeler, Neslihan, “Afrika İnsan ve Halkların Hakları Sözleşmesi ile Avrupa İnsan Hakları Sözleşmesi’nin Karşılaştırılması”, Yıldırım Beyazıt Hukuk Dergisi, S. 2, 2017, s. 43-62.
• Rösch, Ricarda, “Indigenousness And Peoples’ Rights in The African Human Rights System: Situating The Ogiek Judgement Of The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights”, Verfassung Und Recht in Übersee/Law And Politics In Africa| Asia| Latin America, C. L, S. 3, 2017, s. 242-258.
• Swartz, Chris, “After 30 Years, Only 23 Countries Have Ratified Indigenous And Tribal Peoples Convention ILO 169”, Cultural Suvival, https://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/after-30-years-only-23-countries-have-ratified-indigenous-and-tribal-peoples-convention-ilo, E.T. 19.01.2025.
• United Nations Economic and Social Council, “Concerning the Rights of Indigenous People: Working Paper by the Chairperson-Rapporteur, Mrs. Erica-Irene Daes, on the Concept of “Indigenous People”, https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/236429?v=pdf, E.T. 20.08.2024.
• United Nations, “United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”, https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/DRIPS_en.pdf, E.T. 17.01.2025.
• Wily, Liz Alden, “The Community Land Act in Kenya Opportunities and Challenges for Communities”, Land, S. 1, (Ocak 2018), https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/7/1/12, E.T. 21.01.2025.