Recent findings have put the Malagasy government under scrutiny for its alleged neglect in safeguarding the rights of the Antandroy people, an indigenous community in Madagascar. According to Amnesty International’s report, the authorities have failed to protect the Antandroy from climate-related displacement, raising concerns about violations of their fundamental rights.
Since 2017, the Antandroy have been forced to leave their ancestral homes due to drought-induced famines, a situation that highlights the vulnerability of climate-affected communities. Investigations by Amnesty International revealed that approximately 63.4 percent of the population in the Androy region has been suffering from food insecurity, impacting particularly mothers, children, and the elderly. The government’s lack of transparency regarding the budget for addressing drought impacts has been noted as a critical failing.
The report further describes the plight of around 90,000 Antandroy people who endured a 1,500 km journey northwards to Boeny between 2018 and 2024. Upon arrival, the displaced individuals reportedly received no state assistance. Moreover, between April and July 2021, many were forcibly evicted from lands where they had settled, reflecting a failure to secure their right to adequate housing.
Resettlement initiatives led by the regional government have also been criticized for providing substandard living conditions, with inadequate essential services. These developments have drawn attention to the larger issue of climate-induced displacement and inadequate responses by governments of developing nations. The UN has emphasized how climate change exacerbates crises that threaten human rights globally, urging immediate action.
Amid these challenges, Amnesty International has called for the development of comprehensive strategies to address such displacements, stressing the need for both national and local plans. The broader international legal framework, as underscored by a recent International Court of Justice ruling, obligates states to protect the environment and comply with climate agreements. Non-compliance could incur legal consequences for offending nations.
The situation for the Antandroy speaks to a wider trend of indigenous groups facing disproportionate impacts from climate change, necessitating urgent and effective policy measures from governments worldwide.