Submission to the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights by the International Indian Treaty Council, NGO in Special Consultative Status to the UN Economic and Social Council
April 13, 2007
I. INTRODUCTION
The International Indian Treaty Council is pleased to respond to the High Commissioner’s invitation to submit information relevant to the Council on Human Rights’ requested study on the human right to water. We thank the High Commissioner for her interest in this vital matter. We also underscore the urgent need to review current relevant standards impacting this issue, and to conduct a comprehensive study on the human right to water which takes into consideration to concerns, perspectives, expertise and experiences of Indigenous Peoples around the world.
For Indigenous Peoples, their relationship with the rivers, streams, waterfalls, lakes, oceans, hot and cold springs, groundwater, rain and snow, coastal seas and sea ice which they have traditionally used and protected since time immemorial provides the basis for their traditional subsistence economies (farming, hunting, gathering, herding and fishing), physical health, sanitation and collective material survival. But this relationship is also a fundamental requirement and prerequisite for their spiritual relationship with the natural world which is, in turn, the basis of their cultural identity, ceremonial practices and sacred responsibility to the survival of their future generations.
We therefore welcome and applaud the historic decision by the United Nations Human Rights Council of November 26th 2006 recognizing the right to water as a human right. Specifically, the Council has requested “… a detailed study on the scope and content of the relevant human rights obligations related to equitable access to safe drinking water and sanitation under international human rights instruments, which includes relevant conclusions and recommendations thereon, to be submitted prior to the sixth session of the Council.” [1]
PLEASE CONTINUE READING
http://www.wsdp.org/water_is_life.htm
or
http://www.wsdp.org/water_is_life.doc
INTERNATIONAL INDIAN TREATY COUNCIL http://www.treatycouncil.org
Western Shoshone Defense Project http://www.wsdp.org
For all our relations.
April 13, 2007
I. INTRODUCTION
The International Indian Treaty Council is pleased to respond to the High Commissioner’s invitation to submit information relevant to the Council on Human Rights’ requested study on the human right to water. We thank the High Commissioner for her interest in this vital matter. We also underscore the urgent need to review current relevant standards impacting this issue, and to conduct a comprehensive study on the human right to water which takes into consideration to concerns, perspectives, expertise and experiences of Indigenous Peoples around the world.
For Indigenous Peoples, their relationship with the rivers, streams, waterfalls, lakes, oceans, hot and cold springs, groundwater, rain and snow, coastal seas and sea ice which they have traditionally used and protected since time immemorial provides the basis for their traditional subsistence economies (farming, hunting, gathering, herding and fishing), physical health, sanitation and collective material survival. But this relationship is also a fundamental requirement and prerequisite for their spiritual relationship with the natural world which is, in turn, the basis of their cultural identity, ceremonial practices and sacred responsibility to the survival of their future generations.
We therefore welcome and applaud the historic decision by the United Nations Human Rights Council of November 26th 2006 recognizing the right to water as a human right. Specifically, the Council has requested “… a detailed study on the scope and content of the relevant human rights obligations related to equitable access to safe drinking water and sanitation under international human rights instruments, which includes relevant conclusions and recommendations thereon, to be submitted prior to the sixth session of the Council.” [1]
PLEASE CONTINUE READING
http://www.wsdp.org/water_is_life.htm
or
http://www.wsdp.org/water_is_life.doc
INTERNATIONAL INDIAN TREATY COUNCIL http://www.treatycouncil.org
Western Shoshone Defense Project http://www.wsdp.org
For all our relations.