8 33. Based on the arguments, evidence and information submitted by the petitioners and the State and information that is a matter of public knowledge,3 the IACHR makes the following findings of fact. A. The Kaliña and Lokono Peoples The Kaliña and Lokono Peoples are indigenous to the Lower Marowijne River area.4 They are two of the four most populous indigenous peoples in Suriname, and together they are also referred to as the “Lower Marowijne Peoples”.5 For centuries, their ancestors have traditionally occupied the lands and territories in the northeast coast of Suriname.6 The boundaries of their traditional lands are contained in their oral histories, and recognized by neighboring communities.7 Archeological evidence suggests that the Lower Marowijne indigenous peoples have inhabited the region for at least 2,000 years, long before the arrival of European settlers.8 During the interior War of the 1980s, some villagers were forced to leave the area, but most have since returned to their traditional territories.9 In 2007, the population of the Lower Marowijne indigenous peoples was approximately 2,026 persons, distributed among the eight villages represented in the petition.10 The alleged victims self-identify as indigenous peoples.11 34. 35. The Kaliña and Lokono Peoples inhabit the eight villages that form part of this petition in the following distribution, six Kaliña and two Lokono villages: Village Indigenous Peoples12 3 Article 43.1 of the Rules of Procedure of the IACHR states: The Commission will deliberate on the merits of the case, to which end it shall prepare a report in which it will examine the arguments, the evidence presented by the parties, and the information obtained during hearings and on-site observations. In addition, the Commission may take into account other information that is a matter of public knowledge. 4 Annex 1. Petition, para. 40, Annex E, The historical use and occupation by Indigenous Peoples and communities of the Lower Marowijne River region of Suriname, p. 1; Submission of Suriname, March 22, 2008, p. 2. 5 See Annex 2. IWGIA, THE INDIGENOUS WORLD 2012: Suriname 143 (2013), available http://www.iwgia.org/images/stories/sections/regions/latin-america/documents/IW2012/suriname_iw_2012.pdf. at 6 Petition, para. 40; Submission of Suriname, March 22, 2008, p. 3. See also Annex 3. Petition, para. 86, Annex D-1, Map of the Lower Marowijne area presented to the Minister of Spatial Planning in 2002, indicating the location of the 8 Kaliña and Lokono villages, and places where they conduct traditional hunting and fishing activities. Annex 4. Map of Lower Marowijne area, indicating the Kaliña and Lokono traditional territory, presented during the Hearing on the Merits, March 27, 2012, IACHR 144 Period of Sessions, Case 12.639 – Kaliña and Lokono Peoples, Suriname. 7 Petition, para. 44. Annex 5. Submission of the petitioners, May 28, 2008, Annex E, “Traditional use and management of the Lower Marowijne area by the Kaliña and Lokono: A Surinamese case study in the context of article 10(c) of the Convention on Biological Diversity”, February 17, 2006, p. 7. 8 Petition, para. 41. Annex 5. Submission of the petitioners, May 28, 2008, Annex E, “Traditional use and management of the Lower Marowijne area by the Kaliña and Lokono: A Surinamese case study in the context of article 10(c) of the Convention on Biological Diversity”, February 17, 2006, p. 7. 9 Annex 5. Submission of the petitioners, May 28, 2008, Annex E, “Traditional use and management of the Lower Marowijne area by the Kaliña and Lokono: A Surinamese case study in the context of article 10(c) of the Convention on Biological Diversity”, February 17, 2006, p. 11. 10 Annex 6. Petition, paras. 40-42. 11 Annex 7. Petition, para. 1, and Annex A, Power of Attorney Declaration (“We further declare that we are the traditional authorities of the indigenous communities and peoples of the Lower Marowijne River. . . .”). 12 See Annex 6. Petition, para. 12(a).