Another step nearer to the UN-Declaration on Indigenous Rights
On 29 June the new UN Human Rights Council (replacement of the UN Human Rights Commission) have approved the text of the concept declaration concerning the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 30 Countries voted in favor, two against (Canada and Russia) and there were 12 abstentions.
The text will be sent in September to the General Assembly of the UN for approval. There it has to come to a complete consensus, which will not be easy, considering the states that see indigenous rights still as a threat of their sovereignty. Particularly Australia, the US and New Zealand (no members of the UN Human Rights Council) will not accept this declaration.
In the text (http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/G06/125/71/PDF/G0612571.pdf?OpenElement) the issue of land and raw materials is regulated, as well as self-determination and collective rights. It is emphasized that indigenous peoples are equal to all other peoples and that indigenous individuals can claim universal human rights. In the declaration is also written that indigenous peoples are entitled to establish and maintain their own political, economic, social and cultural institutions and that they have the right to an own education system. The concept declaration is a political declaration, and is not binding. By approving Member States say that they are willing to treat indigenous peoples in accordance with the articles of the declaration.
The Brazilian representative Clodoaldo Hugueney stated that the approval of the text is a victory for the indigenous peoples, who are fighting for this declaration already for a long time. “It is a very important step in the fight against discrimination of indigenous people, and it will help create a more social society.”
