In order to ensure a globally consistent and rigorous approach to assessing Aboriginal Peoples Rights, associated with forest management, FSC Canada is taking on the initiative to rigorously apply Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) into our Forest Management Standards.
The right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) is seen as one of the key principles of international human rights law to protect indigenous peoples from destruction of their lives, cultures and livelihoods.
Although the right to give or withhold consent has been recognized in the FSC system since the original Principles and Criteria (P&C) were published in 1994, there is room for improving the way in which the right to FPIC is currently implemented in FSC certified forests.
In order to help ensure that Aboriginal Peoples rights are respected, FSC Canada is working towards effectively understanding and appropriately applying the values of FPIC to our Forest Management Standards in Canada.
The project will be conducted with the engagement of Aboriginal Peoples and various stakeholders across Canada and will not only benefit Aboriginal Peoples and communities, but will provide forest management companies with clear direction and tools to help them apply the values of FPIC.
Background
In November 2012, FSC International announced the release of the FSC Guidelines for the implementation of the right to ‘Free, Prior and Informed Consent.’
The guide provides a detailed methodology aiming to assist all parties involved in FSC certification safeguarding the rights of forest dependent indigenous peoples and local communities in or near FSC-certified operations. This is a first version of guidance on a complex topic. FSC believes that practical implementation of this methodology is necessary to produce valuable results and information to feed into a second version.
For more information, visit: https://ca.fsc.org/aboriginal-peoples-rights-fpic.307.htm
For questions, contact Vivian Peachey E: v.peachey@ca.fsc.org or T: 647-528-0140