A recent incident has raised concerns among human rights groups, including Survival International. A US national was arrested after landing on North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean to make contact with the uncontacted Sentinelese people. The organization’s Director, Caroline Pearce, described the person’s actions as “deeply disturbing” and “reckless.”
The Sentinelese have made it clear they wish to avoid outsiders for years, and previous incidents highlight the risks of disease transmission and violence. In 2018, an American missionary was killed by the tribe after attempting to convert them to Christianity. The Indian authorities’ failure to prevent this incident is a concern. Governments’ refusal to protect uncontacted peoples’ territories is a common factor in these cases.
The arrest is good news, but Pearce emphasized the need for stronger protection measures against those trying to make contact with isolated communities. Uncontacted Indigenous peoples worldwide face land invasions by loggers and miners, and some are at risk of extinction due to plans like India’s proposed transformation of Great Nicobar Island. International law and recognition of these territories’ boundaries are essential for their safety.
Source: https://survivalinternational.org/news/14169