Human rights defender's story: Obakèmi Jean-Pierre Olofindji, from Benin
‘Environmental conservation requires the involvement of local communities living close to natural resources. These communities are key to effective protection and should be included in all decision-making processes to ensure their livelihood.’
Obakèmi Jean-Pierre Olofindji is a human rights defender from Benin, working as a Community Development and Programme Manager for the NGO Together for Environment and Community Wellness.
Together for Environment and Community Wellness envisions an environment where local communities live in harmony with nature. While working on a project on the conservation of crocodiles in a village in the lower Ouémé Valley, Jean-Pierre witnessed the extent to which local communities are sometimes forgotten when it comes to their lands. He emphasises the necessity of considering the communities’ needs and involving them in all decision-making processes related to environmental conservation and protection.
Jean-Pierre highlights a common issue with many conservation projects, which often overlook the needs of local communities. This oversight can lead to communities being deprived of their lands without being provided with viable alternatives. Jean-Pierre calls for a more inclusive approach to conservation, one that respects and addresses the livelihoods of Indigenous communities.
Jean-Pierre was one of the participants in ISHR’s 2024 Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme. Find out more about his experience in the following video.
When we talk about natural resources, the local communities are the ones who live close to these natural resources. So, no conservation of natural resources can be done without these local communities.Obakèmi Jean-Pierre Olofindji