28 November 2006 –

 

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today adopted a draft resolution that would see the General Assembly defer consideration and action on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, with the aim of concluding consideration of the Declaration before the end of its current sixty-first session.

 

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

The complete press release of the Third Committee of the General Assembly can be found at:
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/gashc3878.doc.htm