Bruno Kreisky Foundation

for Human Rights

Gesellschaft für bedrohte Völker / Association for Threatened Peoples (Austria)

The Association is a human rights’ organization for ethnic, racial, and religious groups and minorities. It was founded in 1985, and its president was Robert Jungk. The Association for Threatened Peoples was involved in the solidarity movement of the Biafranern people in the seventies. They were the second largest group, after Amnesty International to acknowledge that particular issue. Essentially, the Association stands against the suffering and murders caused to ethnic groups by Nazism, fascism, Stalinism, and colonialism in the last century. Additionally, the South American branch of the organization fights for the “Future of the people and environment in the Amazon Basin.” The last inhabitants of the rainforest often become silent victims of economic development strategies of multinationals and “third-world” governments. They are typically given the “alternative” of giving up their way of life and assimilating instead of dying out as a group.

By holding events showcasing their work, as well as producing publications which highlight the issues of indigenous peoples, the association hopes to bring awareness to their cause. Their actions have helped start aid organizations to save the Indian culture of Latin America.

In 2010 they had nine projects underway. Three of the programs provided schooling for children in underdeveloped countries. In Namibia, there were no schools that taught in the San people’s native language, and the Association was able to create one for them. Fifty students were taught a variety of topics, including law and writing. Several of the other programs focused on drawing public awareness on genocide and massacres that had occurred in the past.
In 2010 the organization had nine projects underway. Three of the programs gave children in underdeveloped countries access to schooling. In Namibia, where there were no schools teaching in the native language of the San people, the association was able to create one. Fifty students were taught a variety of subjects including law and writing.
Many of the other programs focused on raising public awareness of genocide and massacres that had occurred in the past.

(http://www.gfbv.at)