Subject: UN affirms Indigenous Peoples are Not equal to all other Peoples
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 19:55:51 -0500
From: First Peoples Human Rights Coalition
To: 'First Peoples Human Rights Coalition'
From the Indigenous Peoples' Caucus. 28 November 2006 (Contact
information at end of release.)
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' CAUCUS
www.ipcaucus. net
28 November 2006
UN affirms Indigenous Peoples are not equal to all other Peoples
The Indigenous Caucus is shocked and outraged by the actions of the
United Nations, who today failed to adopt the most important
international instrument for the promotion and protection of human
rights for Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples, which represents more than 20 years of work within
the UN, constitutes the minimum standards for their survival, dignity
and well-being.
The newly created UN Human Rights Council, which is the premier
international body to deal with human rights, adopted the Declaration in
June of this year. The Declaration was one of the substantial
achievements of the Council. However, it was delivered a huge blow
today by African States, most of whom had chosen not to participate
throughout this standard-setting process. Africa took the lead in
blocking the adoption of the Declaration, which strategy was supported
and encouraged by New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the United States.
It is clear that these actions are a politicization of human rights that
show complete disregard for the ongoing human rights abuses suffered by
Indigenous Peoples. This betrayal and injustice severely impacts 370
million Indigenous people in all regions of the world, who are among the
most marginalized and vulnerable.
On May 24, 2002, Secretary General Kofi Annan, had proclaimed that the
world's Indigenous Peoples "have a home at the United Nations"
However, today's vote by opposing States clearly demonstrates that this
is not the case.
------------ ----
Indigenous Peoples Caucus
At UN Headquarters, New York
Contacts:
Les Malezer, Chairperson, Indigenous Peoples Caucus - +1 917 774 7346
Mattias Ahren, Arctic Caucus, Indigenous Peoples - +47 47 379161
Grand Chief Ed John, North American Caucus, Indigenous Peoples - +1 604
219 1705
Jennifer Tauli Corpuz, Asian Caucus, Indigenous Peoples - +1 520 461 2042
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 19:55:51 -0500
From: First Peoples Human Rights Coalition
To: 'First Peoples Human Rights Coalition'
From the Indigenous Peoples' Caucus. 28 November 2006 (Contact
information at end of release.)
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' CAUCUS
www.ipcaucus. net
28 November 2006
UN affirms Indigenous Peoples are not equal to all other Peoples
The Indigenous Caucus is shocked and outraged by the actions of the
United Nations, who today failed to adopt the most important
international instrument for the promotion and protection of human
rights for Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples, which represents more than 20 years of work within
the UN, constitutes the minimum standards for their survival, dignity
and well-being.
The newly created UN Human Rights Council, which is the premier
international body to deal with human rights, adopted the Declaration in
June of this year. The Declaration was one of the substantial
achievements of the Council. However, it was delivered a huge blow
today by African States, most of whom had chosen not to participate
throughout this standard-setting process. Africa took the lead in
blocking the adoption of the Declaration, which strategy was supported
and encouraged by New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the United States.
It is clear that these actions are a politicization of human rights that
show complete disregard for the ongoing human rights abuses suffered by
Indigenous Peoples. This betrayal and injustice severely impacts 370
million Indigenous people in all regions of the world, who are among the
most marginalized and vulnerable.
On May 24, 2002, Secretary General Kofi Annan, had proclaimed that the
world's Indigenous Peoples "have a home at the United Nations"
However, today's vote by opposing States clearly demonstrates that this
is not the case.
------------ ----
Indigenous Peoples Caucus
At UN Headquarters, New York
Contacts:
Les Malezer, Chairperson, Indigenous Peoples Caucus - +1 917 774 7346
Mattias Ahren, Arctic Caucus, Indigenous Peoples - +47 47 379161
Grand Chief Ed John, North American Caucus, Indigenous Peoples - +1 604
219 1705
Jennifer Tauli Corpuz, Asian Caucus, Indigenous Peoples - +1 520 461 2042