The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of 29 April, 2024

Sámi Parliament Board Contacts the UN Human Rights Committee Over Forced Election Re-Run

As reported by Eye on the Arctic on April 30, the Executive Board of the Sámi Parliament submitted a written statement to the United Nations Human Rights Committee to protest an order of the Finnish Supreme Administrative Court to re-run last year’s parliamentary elections. The Parliament sees this as a breach of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Executive Board argues that such rulings constitute a breach of the Sámi people’s right to internal self-determination as put forward by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. The Sámi are an Indigenous People native to the northern regions of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. (Eye on the Arctic)

Take 1: On March 27, Finland’s Supreme Administrative Court annulled the election results and ordered the reinstatement of 65 voters on the electoral roll who were previously deemed ineligible to vote by the Sámi Parliament, sparking outrage among Sámi leadership. This is not the first time that Finnish courts have made such rulings. In 2015, the Sámi Parliament raised similar concerns to the UN Human Rights Committee after the Finnish Supreme Court added 93 people who were deemed ineligible to the electoral roll. The Committee concluded in 2019 that Finland had violated their right to internal self-determination, followed by the adoption of an opinion by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racism and Discrimination that, by doing so, Finland violated the rights of Sámi people. Incidents like these demonstrate the continuous tensions between national legal frameworks and Indigenous self-determination, a pivotal issue in the wider Arctic region where many Indigenous groups seek greater autonomy. Such rulings challenge the ability of Indigenous groups to determine who belongs to their community and who can participate in their political processes, which is fundamental for reaching greater cultural and political independence. The previous agreement of relevant UN bodies points to a growing recognition of the need to protect Indigenous rights as part of the broader human rights agenda and can influence how other Indigenous groups advocate for their rights vis-à-vis national governments. Moreover, the situation also has dire implications for Finland’s reputation and record of adherence to international human rights obligations. (Center for Civil and Political Rights, Eye on the Arctic, Eye on the Arctic, France 24)

First Instance of Bird Flu Detected in Walrus on Svalbard

The Barents Observer reported on April 30 that scientists discovered the first instance of a walrus that had died from bird flu. The dead animal was discovered on Hopen Island in the Svalbard archipelago last year. Samples were taken by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and sent to a German lab, which discovered the virus, marking the first detection of bird flu in walruses. It is assumed that transmission happened through the consumption of an infected marine bird and that others have been infected as well due to the disease’s contagious nature and the tendency of walruses to lie on top of each other. (The Barents Observer)

Take 2: The detection of bird flu in walruses constitutes a critical development in the Arctic environment with broad implications for Arctic wildlife and potentially the health of Indigenous communities. However, this is not the first instance of bird flu in an Arctic mammal, as an infected polar bear was discovered in Alaska earlier this year. The transmission of the disease to mammals points to the potential for a more extensive outbreak among different species, which complicates containment and raises the risk of another pandemic. In light of the interconnected nature of the Arctic ecosystem, infection among walrus populations could have cascading effects on the wider ecological balance, affecting interdependent species in the High North. This warrants close scientific monitoring to understand the transmission mechanisms and develop strategies to mitigate further ecological and human impacts. For Indigenous communities, wider transmission of the disease to other mammals can significantly disrupt traditional practices and diets. In addition to being detrimental to local health, the presence of infectious diseases in wildlife could deter tourism, which is an important economic activity for the region, by posing health risks to visitors and residents alike. In the upcoming months, it will be important to monitor any further developments as walruses tend to flock together in the summer months. In general, it is also of importance to acknowledge the effect of global warming on disease dynamics as environmental changes can affect the behavior and spread of pathogens by altering their geographic range and affecting new host species. (The Barents Observer, The Guardian, The Guardian)

World’s Most Powerful Diesel-Engine Icebreaker Makes First Arctic Voyage

The Barents Observer reported on May 2 that the Viktor Chernomyrdin, currently the world’s most powerful conventional icebreaker, recently embarked on its first Arctic voyage. Operated by the Russian state ship operator Rosatomflot, the 147-meter vessel successfully escorted the cargo carrier Ioann Makhmastal to Yenisey Bay. Constructed by Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation, the Viktor Chernomyrdin is equipped to perform a variety of functions including search and rescue, ship towage, firefighting, oil spill response, and support for scientific expeditions as well as offshore and subsea installation works. (The Barents Observer) 

Take 3: The entry into service of the Viktor Chernomyrdin marks a significant development in Russia’s Arctic shipping capacities. The construction of the vessel already started back in 2012, but the construction timeline has been characterized by numerous delays and challenges including cost overruns. Western sanctions – starting after the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 – severely impacted the Russian shipbuilding industry and restricted access to vital foreign technologies and financial markets. Originally slated for completion in 2015, the vessel was only delivered five years later in 2020. The long gestation period for the ship’s construction points to broader issues within large-scale industrial projects in Russia, including inefficiencies and the vulnerability of such projects to external political pressures. Sanctions not only delayed the project but also led to unforeseen costs and forced reliance on domestic technologies which may have the same quality or standards of international products. The ship had initially only completed escorts in the Gulf of Finland but has proven capable of handling thick multi-year ice after trials in 2022. The vessel, which is intended for use in both shallow Arctic waters and along the Northern Sea Route, will significantly facilitate Russia’s exploration and exploitation of Arctic resources, which can prove critical for Russia’s sanctions-ridden economy. Raising its ice-breaking capacities enables the country to secure a significant advantage in the region by further projecting its power and facilitating year-round navigability of the Northern Sea Route. (The Barents Observer, The Maritime Executive)

First Group of Chinese Researchers Arrive at Arctic Yellow River Station

China Daily announced on May 1 that three Chinese researchers have arrived at China’s Yellow River Station located in Ny-Alesund, a small town in Svalbard. This is the first batch of fifty researchers expected to be hosted at the Station this year. The researchers are set to carry out seasonal expeditions and a number of scientific surveys related to marine and terrestrial ecology, glaciology and space physics. Expeditions to the Station gradually resumed last July after pausing due to the pandemic. (China Daily)

Take 4: China, as a self-declared “near-Arctic state,” has been steadily growing its engagement in the High North. While the studies undertaken at the Yellow River Station – China’s first Arctic research center established in 2004 – can provide crucial data for understanding the rapidly changing Arctic environment, it is also an indicator of China’s strategic interests in the region. China’s involvement in Arctic research along with the use of its two icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2, signal its broader intentions of becoming a significant player in the region. This is paired with its increasing cooperation with Russia, which has been predominantly characterized by Arctic shipping and infrastructure support along the Northern Sea Route but also included joint military exercises. China’s growing polar posture, along with the presence of other interested non-Arctic nations, can have significant repercussions for Arctic governance. Currently, the Arctic is predominantly composed of and governed by democratic nations. Increasing Chinese presence will also entail an increasing authoritarian influence on regional decision-making and the potential for further militarization of the Arctic, raising concerns about regional security and stability as this could escalate tensions. Moreover, the increasing presence of non-Arctic states that have their eye on the region’s resources can spark disputes about sovereignty and resource rights potentially marginalizing the interests of smaller or Indigenous Arctic communities. (China Daily, Foreign Policy, Scientific American, The Arctic Institute, The Barents Observer)

U.S. House of Representatives Passes Bill to Restore Arctic Drilling Rights

As reported by The Hill on May 1, the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to restore drilling rights in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. These Arctic drilling rights, approved by the Trump administration, were previously revoked by the Biden administration. The legislation, referred to as the Alaska’s Right to Produce Act, was passed by a narrow margin of 214-199 and seeks to reinstate six oil and gas leases and reverse a ban on drilling across 12 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. The bill will now be passed on to the Senate. (The Hill)

Take 5: The Right to Reproduce Act symbolizes an important trade-off. Economically, it can be argued that drilling stimulates economic activity, bolsters national self-reliance, and can offer employment benefits to local communities. However, there is a complex balance to be struck between economic development and environmental conservation, particularly in regions where indigenous populations rely on both traditional and modern economic activities. Arctic ecosystems are highly susceptible to disruptions and drilling could exacerbate environmental damage. The bill would even annul new environmental protection rules. The potential disturbance to local wildlife in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which is the home of over 250 animal species, should not be overlooked and can have cascading effects on biodiversity. Moreover, the coastal plain of the Refuge is sacred land for the Alaskan Gwich’in tribe, raising serious ethical concerns about Indigenous rights and the sanctity of native lands. This, in turn, echoes a larger trend where economic interests often override Indigenous traditions and ways of life. This is further exacerbated by the bill’s provision to nullify the Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area, which was designated to empower regional Indigenous tribes by giving them a greater say over environmental and marine activities that directly impact their communities. Thus, if the bill enters into force, it would constitute a significant setback in the protection of Indigenous rights and Indigenous sovereignty. However, it is estimated that the chances of the bill passing through the Democrat-led Senate and gaining approval from the White House are unlikely. (Alaska Public Media, E&E News, Earth Justice, The Hill)