The Indigenous People’s Caucus at U.N. Headquarters, New York expressed shock and outrage by the actions of the United Nations today. The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is considered to be the most important international instrument for the promotion and protection of human rights for Indigenous Peoples. This declaration represents the hopes and good faith of some 370 million indigenous peoples in all regions of the world, who are among the most marginalized and vulnerable and their hope and good faith was betrayed in the 11th hour.
More than 20 years went into the making of the Declaration, severely impacted by “no” votes today - Africa taking the lead, supported and encouraged by New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the United States just five months after it’s adoption by the U.N. Human Rights Council in June of this year. This Declaration was hailed as one of its most substantial achievements.
A mixture of shock, outrage and sadness is felt today. The next days and months will be a time of reflection on the actions of African States like Namibia and the echoing words of Secretary General Kofi Anan on May 24, 2002 - “The world’s indigenous peoples have a home at the United Nations.” The faith of the world’s indigenous peoples was tried today. No doubt, 20 years is a long time but if the strength, courage, perseverance and suffering of their ancestors mean anything, their faith will not be shaken.
Elisa Burchett
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report
Please also see:
Statement by Indigenous Peoples Caucus
"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."
First Nations Leadership Council Troubled By Today's Vote at the United Nations
Inaction on Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Inexcusable
Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver BC - After two decades of discussion and development, the slow pace of approval of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples came to a halt today at the current session of the UN General Assembly in New York. A resolution put forward by the Namibian delegation - in effect, a non-action motion on the Declaration - was supported by a majority with 82 Nation States voting in favour, 67 Nation States voting not in favour and 25 Nation States abstaining.
Grand Chief Ed John, First Nations Summit Executive member, who is in New York on behalf of the Assembly of First Nations and working with the Indigenous Peoples' Caucus, stated "Today is a very sad day for the United Nations and a very serious setback for the integrity of the newly formed Human Rights Council who urged the General Assembly to formally adopt this historic document. It now appears that the most likely outcome will be that the United Nations never formally adopts the Declaration. This is a remarkable and bizarre development."
"Canada was positioned to play a significant role in supporting the Declaration but Canada chose to actively oppose the Declaration as a member of the Human Rights Council and at the General Assembly," commented BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Shawn Atleo. "We share the deep frustration of all those who worked long and hard to get the Declaration to this point. We sincerely hope that the Declaration is not lost and that we can find a way in which to revitalize this important work."
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, stated "Canada no longer enjoys a 'blue beret' reputation at the United Nations. Canada's disgraceful and disgusting conduct against
Indigenous People at both the national and international levels is being noted.
“It is simply shameful that as a Council member of the Human Rights Council, Canada pretends to espouse the highest standards and protection of Human Rights. It is those countries who have lived with the ravages of
colonialism now speak for continuing colonialism for all Indigenous Peoples."
The Declaration was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council this past June and was recommended for adoption by the General Assembly. Canada was one of few countries to vote against the Declaration in June.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, (1) (250) 490-5314
Colin Braker, First Nations Summit, (1)(604) 926-9903 or (1) (604) 328-4094
Heather Gillies, BC Assembly of First Nations, (1) (604) 837-6908
First Nations Summit http://www.fns.bc.ca
Please also see:
Brenda Norrell: On Alcatraz, American Indians and Palestinians Offer Thanks
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout4.php&id=2857&blz=1
Thanksgiving Day 2006
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=2851&blz=1
International Indian Treaty Council and American Indian Contemporary Arts
Presents the 32nd Annual Alcatraz Island Sunrise Gathering
“American Indian Thanksgiving Day” November 23rd, 2006
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=2850&blz=1
Elisa Burchett asks,
‘Will African Group Proposal Derail Entire Indigenous Declaration Process?’
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout4.php&id=2849&blz=1
Western Shoshone Lands, where Gold is the Color of Genocide,
a report by Brenda Norrell
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout4.php&id=2848&blz=1
Western Shoshone and Navajo, Solidarity in Resistance, by Brenda Norrell
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout4.php&id=2847&blz=1
More than 20 years went into the making of the Declaration, severely impacted by “no” votes today - Africa taking the lead, supported and encouraged by New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the United States just five months after it’s adoption by the U.N. Human Rights Council in June of this year. This Declaration was hailed as one of its most substantial achievements.
A mixture of shock, outrage and sadness is felt today. The next days and months will be a time of reflection on the actions of African States like Namibia and the echoing words of Secretary General Kofi Anan on May 24, 2002 - “The world’s indigenous peoples have a home at the United Nations.” The faith of the world’s indigenous peoples was tried today. No doubt, 20 years is a long time but if the strength, courage, perseverance and suffering of their ancestors mean anything, their faith will not be shaken.
Elisa Burchett
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report
Please also see:
Statement by Indigenous Peoples Caucus
"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."
First Nations Leadership Council Troubled By Today's Vote at the United Nations
Inaction on Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Inexcusable
Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver BC - After two decades of discussion and development, the slow pace of approval of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples came to a halt today at the current session of the UN General Assembly in New York. A resolution put forward by the Namibian delegation - in effect, a non-action motion on the Declaration - was supported by a majority with 82 Nation States voting in favour, 67 Nation States voting not in favour and 25 Nation States abstaining.
Grand Chief Ed John, First Nations Summit Executive member, who is in New York on behalf of the Assembly of First Nations and working with the Indigenous Peoples' Caucus, stated "Today is a very sad day for the United Nations and a very serious setback for the integrity of the newly formed Human Rights Council who urged the General Assembly to formally adopt this historic document. It now appears that the most likely outcome will be that the United Nations never formally adopts the Declaration. This is a remarkable and bizarre development."
"Canada was positioned to play a significant role in supporting the Declaration but Canada chose to actively oppose the Declaration as a member of the Human Rights Council and at the General Assembly," commented BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Shawn Atleo. "We share the deep frustration of all those who worked long and hard to get the Declaration to this point. We sincerely hope that the Declaration is not lost and that we can find a way in which to revitalize this important work."
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, stated "Canada no longer enjoys a 'blue beret' reputation at the United Nations. Canada's disgraceful and disgusting conduct against
Indigenous People at both the national and international levels is being noted.
“It is simply shameful that as a Council member of the Human Rights Council, Canada pretends to espouse the highest standards and protection of Human Rights. It is those countries who have lived with the ravages of
colonialism now speak for continuing colonialism for all Indigenous Peoples."
The Declaration was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council this past June and was recommended for adoption by the General Assembly. Canada was one of few countries to vote against the Declaration in June.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, (1) (250) 490-5314
Colin Braker, First Nations Summit, (1)(604) 926-9903 or (1) (604) 328-4094
Heather Gillies, BC Assembly of First Nations, (1) (604) 837-6908
First Nations Summit http://www.fns.bc.ca
Please also see:
Brenda Norrell: On Alcatraz, American Indians and Palestinians Offer Thanks
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout4.php&id=2857&blz=1
Thanksgiving Day 2006
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=2851&blz=1
International Indian Treaty Council and American Indian Contemporary Arts
Presents the 32nd Annual Alcatraz Island Sunrise Gathering
“American Indian Thanksgiving Day” November 23rd, 2006
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=2850&blz=1
Elisa Burchett asks,
‘Will African Group Proposal Derail Entire Indigenous Declaration Process?’
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout4.php&id=2849&blz=1
Western Shoshone Lands, where Gold is the Color of Genocide,
a report by Brenda Norrell
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout4.php&id=2848&blz=1
Western Shoshone and Navajo, Solidarity in Resistance, by Brenda Norrell
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout4.php&id=2847&blz=1