July 21, 2007
Indigenous Peoples demand UN accountability
By Rebecca Sommer
New York, NY, UN Headquarters (Special to HNN) -- Representatives of Indigenous Peoples demand the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples but feel highly alarmed by restrains and restrictions of rules and procedures of the United Nations system.
The Indigenous Peoples Caucus, comprised of legitimate political leaders of their peoples, objected on Wednesday, July 18, 2007, in a press release against the myth that discussion of issues at the UN General Assembly would be for governments "only" -- and that Indigenous Peoples delegations are merely non-governmental organizations.
The United Nations Charter begins with the words “We, the peoples of the world.” The will of the peoples and the collective interests of the peoples are represented at the United Nations by the governments of the nation states.
"We Indigenous Peoples cannot be represented by states, which control our lives, rule over our traditional territories and exploit our resources for alien benefit," stated Les Malezer, chairman of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus. " Representatives of our people must have the right to be heard at the General Assembly level when they decide on our UN Declaration. We demand to be allowed to be present on the floor of the General Assembly when the UN General Assembly resolution is presented for final adoption: let's not forget that the Declaration is for us and about us."
Just two weeks ago, Indigenous Peoples representatives were prevented from participating in an informal intersessional meeting about the Declaration at the UN headquarters. Even though announced as an open meeting, a small group of states lead by Russia forced the Indigenous representatives to leave the room. Some Indigenous delegates traveled from far countries -- to attend that meeting to represent the interests of their people.
"We were quit upset that we could not witness the discussions discussed, about our own human rights and that governments insisted that it should be a closed meeting,” said Kenneth Deer, the Publisher and Editor of the The Eastern Door, and a member of the Mohawk Nation.
The small group of states which effectively hindered the participation of the representatives of the Indigenous Peoples are opposed to the Declarations text which took over 25 years of negotiations between states and Indigenous Peoples.
The Declaration-which was finally adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in 2006, with only two votes against (Russia and Canada), is now argued by some states such as Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Suriname, Guyana and Colombia. and the African Groups as a whole, to be re-opened, and drastically changed.
Indigenous Peoples, human rights organizations, UN officials and numerous states, including the European Union as a whole say that a re-opening and changing the text would take away the rights of the Indigenous Peoples from around the world.
"We cannot go below the standards set in the Declaration text which was adopted by the Human Rights Council, the Declaration is supposed to protect Indigenous Peoples, " said state representative Conny Tarazera, from the Mission to the UN of Guatemala.
"We cannot accept that some states want to dilute the right for Indigenous Peoples to their self-determination," said Romy Tincopa , a state representative of the UN Mission of Peru. “That right is essential that Indigenous Peoples can protect and determine their future, their culture, language and way of life.”
"It would loose the meaning, the Declaration was already severely watered down during the 24 years of negotiation, that’s the lowest we Indigenous peoples can accept" said Joseph de Simel, a representative of the Maasai people. “The re-opening of the text will not fly with us Indigenous Peoples, it is not acceptable”.
"Some states believe that the sky will fall down when IP would have the right to self-determination" said Dalee Sambo Dorough, a representative of the Inuit people."But that right which all people have – is consistent with International law , the UN Charters."
“Certain States want to create a second standard of human rights laws in the Declaration for our people, and that is discrimination and racism, and completely wrong.” added Kenneth Deer.
State governments, especially some African states feel threatened by the language in the Declaration, which would reaffirm that Indigenous Peoples have the right of people - to determine their own future. States fear that such text would allow groups of tribal people living within their nation states borders to request independence.
If that would mean that Indigenous Peoples would have the right to go against sovereign nations states which they are part of as citizens, no government would have supported the Declaration as it was adopted by the HRC,” said state representative Enrique Ochoa, from the Mission to the UN of Mexico. “The right to self determination in the case of Indigenous Peoples doesn’t mean the right to independence”.
There is no one who can seriously say hat only governments have the right to self determination, when we are talking about a distinct people such as the Indigenous Peoples, they are peoples-and they have that right -- as stated in the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights,” added executive director Larry Cox from Amnesty International.
Some states want to drastically change the Declaration, which would remove numerous rights essential for the survival, dignity and the well-being of Indigenous Peoples such as their right to self government , Lands, Territories and Resources, redress and restitution, free prior and informed consent, removal of militarization in their areas, Intellectual Property and bilingual and culturally appropriate education.
“Setting aside our disquiet over these states-efforts to re-write the Declaration in the General Assembly, we are dismayed by any suggestion of a UN culture that entertains such significant and one-sided changes to a vital document that has navigated twenty five years of expert and rigourous discussion," said the frustrated chair of the Indigenous Caucus, Lez Malezer on July 18.
“The states, by the way, who now want to restart the drafting of the Declaration -- we would like to see the human rights records of these states, in relation the treatment of indigenous peoples and in particular the most recent reports of the human rights treaty bodies to be taken into account in conjunction with their views on the Declaration,” Malezer added.
The Global Indigenous Caucus stated July 18 in the Press conference hosted by the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the UN headquarters in NYC: ”The Indigenous Peoples of the world are distinctive as populations. We do not fit the description as ethnic groups, religious groups, political sects, landowners, governments, legislatures, minorities or the impoverished, although we may be all of these. We are distinct peoples by every definition of the term. We are the people the United Nations overlooked when it set an agenda to de-colonize the world. We are peoples, we have our own societies and laws, we have our own languages, we have our own lands and territories, we have a unique relationship with the natural world that can only be achieved through eternal bonding, and we have a ceaseless will to survive as indigenous peoples.
"We consider that governments must face their responsibility to create awareness and understanding about human rights rather than deny human rights. We believe that recognition, respect and promotion of human rights leads to increased national stability and peace, not the other way around. This is the experience around the world.
"The Indigenous Peoples¹ Caucus call upon all states to support the Declaration because the Declaration has withstood the UN tests for the development of a human rights standard. It is an instrument that complies with international law and equates the rights of Indigenous Peoples with the rights of all other Peoples. The Indigenous Peoples¹ Caucus condemns the efforts by any states to unfairly influence or intimidate the votes of smaller states and developing states in exchange for aid, development assistance or other financial or political advantage.
"It is now time for the United Nations to represent and guarantee the rights of all peoples, including Indigenous Peoples. We call upon the United Nations General Assembly, in good faith with its resolution of December, to convene as soon as possible to vote in favour of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples."
On the UN International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, an awareness raising documentary: “Discussions on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” by Rebecca Sommer, will be screened August 9, 2007, at 2 p.m. a block away from the UN building. The event is Supported by collective P.A.S.T. @ chashama,
* Chashama provided residency support for the screening of the work-in-progress“Discussions on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”
Chashama is a New York City arts organization whose mission is to support artists of all genres. chashama "adopts" vacant properties that are donated by their owners and converts them into theaters, galleries, studios, and window performance sites; Chashama then regrants this space for free or at heavily subsidized rates. Since 1995, Chashama has transformed more than 20 vacant properties and has given more than 5,000 artists access to space.
CONTACT: Indigenopus Peoples Caucus at the UN
Email: les.malezer@faira.org.au
Cell: +1 (646) 338 3029
Website: www.ipcaucus.net
Indigenous Peoples demand UN accountability
By Rebecca Sommer
New York, NY, UN Headquarters (Special to HNN) -- Representatives of Indigenous Peoples demand the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples but feel highly alarmed by restrains and restrictions of rules and procedures of the United Nations system.
The Indigenous Peoples Caucus, comprised of legitimate political leaders of their peoples, objected on Wednesday, July 18, 2007, in a press release against the myth that discussion of issues at the UN General Assembly would be for governments "only" -- and that Indigenous Peoples delegations are merely non-governmental organizations.
The United Nations Charter begins with the words “We, the peoples of the world.” The will of the peoples and the collective interests of the peoples are represented at the United Nations by the governments of the nation states.
"We Indigenous Peoples cannot be represented by states, which control our lives, rule over our traditional territories and exploit our resources for alien benefit," stated Les Malezer, chairman of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus. " Representatives of our people must have the right to be heard at the General Assembly level when they decide on our UN Declaration. We demand to be allowed to be present on the floor of the General Assembly when the UN General Assembly resolution is presented for final adoption: let's not forget that the Declaration is for us and about us."
Just two weeks ago, Indigenous Peoples representatives were prevented from participating in an informal intersessional meeting about the Declaration at the UN headquarters. Even though announced as an open meeting, a small group of states lead by Russia forced the Indigenous representatives to leave the room. Some Indigenous delegates traveled from far countries -- to attend that meeting to represent the interests of their people.
"We were quit upset that we could not witness the discussions discussed, about our own human rights and that governments insisted that it should be a closed meeting,” said Kenneth Deer, the Publisher and Editor of the The Eastern Door, and a member of the Mohawk Nation.
The small group of states which effectively hindered the participation of the representatives of the Indigenous Peoples are opposed to the Declarations text which took over 25 years of negotiations between states and Indigenous Peoples.
The Declaration-which was finally adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in 2006, with only two votes against (Russia and Canada), is now argued by some states such as Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Suriname, Guyana and Colombia. and the African Groups as a whole, to be re-opened, and drastically changed.
Indigenous Peoples, human rights organizations, UN officials and numerous states, including the European Union as a whole say that a re-opening and changing the text would take away the rights of the Indigenous Peoples from around the world.
"We cannot go below the standards set in the Declaration text which was adopted by the Human Rights Council, the Declaration is supposed to protect Indigenous Peoples, " said state representative Conny Tarazera, from the Mission to the UN of Guatemala.
"We cannot accept that some states want to dilute the right for Indigenous Peoples to their self-determination," said Romy Tincopa , a state representative of the UN Mission of Peru. “That right is essential that Indigenous Peoples can protect and determine their future, their culture, language and way of life.”
"It would loose the meaning, the Declaration was already severely watered down during the 24 years of negotiation, that’s the lowest we Indigenous peoples can accept" said Joseph de Simel, a representative of the Maasai people. “The re-opening of the text will not fly with us Indigenous Peoples, it is not acceptable”.
"Some states believe that the sky will fall down when IP would have the right to self-determination" said Dalee Sambo Dorough, a representative of the Inuit people."But that right which all people have – is consistent with International law , the UN Charters."
“Certain States want to create a second standard of human rights laws in the Declaration for our people, and that is discrimination and racism, and completely wrong.” added Kenneth Deer.
State governments, especially some African states feel threatened by the language in the Declaration, which would reaffirm that Indigenous Peoples have the right of people - to determine their own future. States fear that such text would allow groups of tribal people living within their nation states borders to request independence.
If that would mean that Indigenous Peoples would have the right to go against sovereign nations states which they are part of as citizens, no government would have supported the Declaration as it was adopted by the HRC,” said state representative Enrique Ochoa, from the Mission to the UN of Mexico. “The right to self determination in the case of Indigenous Peoples doesn’t mean the right to independence”.
There is no one who can seriously say hat only governments have the right to self determination, when we are talking about a distinct people such as the Indigenous Peoples, they are peoples-and they have that right -- as stated in the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights,” added executive director Larry Cox from Amnesty International.
Some states want to drastically change the Declaration, which would remove numerous rights essential for the survival, dignity and the well-being of Indigenous Peoples such as their right to self government , Lands, Territories and Resources, redress and restitution, free prior and informed consent, removal of militarization in their areas, Intellectual Property and bilingual and culturally appropriate education.
“Setting aside our disquiet over these states-efforts to re-write the Declaration in the General Assembly, we are dismayed by any suggestion of a UN culture that entertains such significant and one-sided changes to a vital document that has navigated twenty five years of expert and rigourous discussion," said the frustrated chair of the Indigenous Caucus, Lez Malezer on July 18.
“The states, by the way, who now want to restart the drafting of the Declaration -- we would like to see the human rights records of these states, in relation the treatment of indigenous peoples and in particular the most recent reports of the human rights treaty bodies to be taken into account in conjunction with their views on the Declaration,” Malezer added.
The Global Indigenous Caucus stated July 18 in the Press conference hosted by the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the UN headquarters in NYC: ”The Indigenous Peoples of the world are distinctive as populations. We do not fit the description as ethnic groups, religious groups, political sects, landowners, governments, legislatures, minorities or the impoverished, although we may be all of these. We are distinct peoples by every definition of the term. We are the people the United Nations overlooked when it set an agenda to de-colonize the world. We are peoples, we have our own societies and laws, we have our own languages, we have our own lands and territories, we have a unique relationship with the natural world that can only be achieved through eternal bonding, and we have a ceaseless will to survive as indigenous peoples.
"We consider that governments must face their responsibility to create awareness and understanding about human rights rather than deny human rights. We believe that recognition, respect and promotion of human rights leads to increased national stability and peace, not the other way around. This is the experience around the world.
"The Indigenous Peoples¹ Caucus call upon all states to support the Declaration because the Declaration has withstood the UN tests for the development of a human rights standard. It is an instrument that complies with international law and equates the rights of Indigenous Peoples with the rights of all other Peoples. The Indigenous Peoples¹ Caucus condemns the efforts by any states to unfairly influence or intimidate the votes of smaller states and developing states in exchange for aid, development assistance or other financial or political advantage.
"It is now time for the United Nations to represent and guarantee the rights of all peoples, including Indigenous Peoples. We call upon the United Nations General Assembly, in good faith with its resolution of December, to convene as soon as possible to vote in favour of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples."
On the UN International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, an awareness raising documentary: “Discussions on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” by Rebecca Sommer, will be screened August 9, 2007, at 2 p.m. a block away from the UN building. The event is Supported by collective P.A.S.T. @ chashama,
* Chashama provided residency support for the screening of the work-in-progress“Discussions on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”
Chashama is a New York City arts organization whose mission is to support artists of all genres. chashama "adopts" vacant properties that are donated by their owners and converts them into theaters, galleries, studios, and window performance sites; Chashama then regrants this space for free or at heavily subsidized rates. Since 1995, Chashama has transformed more than 20 vacant properties and has given more than 5,000 artists access to space.
CONTACT: Indigenopus Peoples Caucus at the UN
Email: les.malezer@faira.org.au
Cell: +1 (646) 338 3029
Website: www.ipcaucus.net
