Guyana’s government aims to push ahead with one or more dams on the Upper Mazaruni River, which would flood out the entire Akawaio indigenous people and an Arekuna community…The government has failed to obtain the indigenous peoples’ free, prior and informed consent, as required by international law, and the tribes have expressed their vocal opposition to the project. The dam would turn the Akawaio and Arekuna into refugees and forever destroy an area famed for its magnificent scenery, bio-diversity and scientific interest.’…The Akawaio have been urging the Guyana government for many years to recognize their collective land rights as increasing numbers of Guyanese and Brazilian gold-miners have invaded their land. In 1998, they brought a case before Guyana’s High Court, but 15 years on, after many postponements and delays, the court has still not come to a conclusion [refers to Belo Monte dam, part of Consórcio Norte Energia]