|
PARTICIPANTS IN INDIGENOUS
FORUM HIGHLIGHT DISASTROUS EFFECTS OF POVERTY, CONFLICTS, LACK OF ACCESS TO
HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION
(2005-05-25) CL
As the Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues continued its fourth session today, participants highlighted
the disastrous effects of poverty, ongoing conflicts and lack of access to
education on the achievement of full human rights, and stressed the urgent
need to complete the draft declaration on indigenous rights.
Describing poverty as a “major
obstacle” to indigenous rights, Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Special Rapporteur on
the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples,
noted that indigenous poverty indices were higher than national averages, and
the consequences of poverty were more severe than for other populations. In
such populations, poverty referred not only to low-income levels, but a lack
of social services and water resources, as well as ancestral lands and other
natural wealth.
He added that persistent poverty among indigenous peoples was due to continued
denial of their basic rights, stressing that government policies must consider
them in attempting to eradicate it, especially the right to primary education.
Educational policies respecting cultural diversity and bilingual education
were now being implemented, but indigenous completion rates for primary
education were still far too low, and linguistic and pedagogical problems had
yet to be resolved.
Extending the Rapporteur’s argument to land rights, the representative of
the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples emphasized the strong link between poverty
in many aboriginal communities and the rights to life and land. Quoting a
report calling on the Canadian Government to close the gaps between aboriginal
and non-aboriginal human rights, he noted the slow pace of settling land
claims and the tendency to include clauses in agreements that asked indigenous
peoples to give up their inherent rights.
Addressing human rights and ongoing conflicts, a representative of the Enlace
Continental de Mujeres Indígenas Región Sud América underscored the tragic
results of violence against women and drug trafficking in Colombia’s ongoing
war, lamenting inadequate State actions to protect indigenous peoples.
Similarly, the representative of the International Alliance of Indigenous and
Tribal Peoples highlighted State-sponsored repression in Nigeria. Rich natural
resources there had been a source of State-sponsored repression, including
shootings and bombings that had killed many indigenous people, including women
and children. Calling for demilitarization in the indigenous Niger delta
oil-producing communities, he urged the Nigerian Government to ensure the
genuine participation of indigenous communities in constitutional
decision-making.
Speaking for the O’odham VOICE against the WALL/Traditional O’odham
Communities, its representative said increased militarization along the United
States boundary with Mexico had led to verbal attacks on indigenous peoples,
unlawful searches, and lack of access to traditional routes. Adding that the
United States was constructing fences with no respect for uncovered indigenous
remains and artefacts, she called on the Special Rapporteur for indigenous
rights to investigate such activities.
Several speakers also emphasized the importance of rapidly completing and
adopting the draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, expressing
frustration that the working group’s working methods had held back on
adoption of some of its articles. Noting that the United Nations had been
trying to complete the declaration for 24 years, a representative of the Grand
Council of the Crees stressed the need to lay down some clear criteria, and
assist the inter-sessional working group in its deliberations. She suggested
that the working group adopt a new and dynamic method of work with the full
indigenous participation, and invite the Special Rapporteur on indigenous
rights and other experts to attend its formal and informal sessions.
Also today, the Forum focused on the importance of disaggregated data
(separate from national and other statistics) on indigenous peoples, noting
that it was sorely lacking, although it could be invaluable in addressing
indigenous concerns and kick-starting programmes to achieve the Millennium
Goals. The representative of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, said statistics for
literacy and educational status followed religious criteria, rather then
indigenous ethnicity, and that data for public jobs held by indigenous peoples
were non-existent.
Also discussed were the Forum’s previous themes on indigenous women and
youth, with speakers stressing the need to consult women on programmes to meet
their needs, improve their sexual and reproductive health, reduce infant
mortality, and free women from cultural biases. Regarding youth, speakers
expressed dismay at the continuing exploitation of children in some nations,
as well as the need for improved education and health facilities. A
representative of the Caribbean Antilles Indigenous Peoples Caucus and the
Diaspora proposed that the Forum recommend the Caribbean Antilles as a
priority area for studies on indigenous urban youth, and that an international
youth conference be held in the Caribbean.
The representative of Fiji, Nepal, and Chile also spoke, as did
representatives of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, the Office of
the High Commissioner on Human Rights, Statistics Division of the Department
of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Statements were also made by representatives of Asia Caucus, Pacific Caucus,
African Caucus, Assembly of First Nations, Seventh Generation Fund/American
Indian Law Alliance, Indian Treaty Council, United Association of Khmer
Kampuchea Krom, Russian Association of Indigenous People of the North, Russian
Association of Finno-Ugric Peoples.
In addition, speakers included representatives of FEINE/CONMIE, World Adavasi
Council, Coordinadora Nacional de Mujeres Indígenas del Estado Brasilero,
Asociación de Cabildos Indígenas del Norte del Cauca, Youth Caucus,
Indigenous Children’s Caucus, Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Organization,
Assembly of First Nations Women’s Council, University of Toronto, Khmers
Kampuchea-Krom Federation, Indigenous Peoples Environment, Consejo Indio de
Sud America, MIT and United Native Nations Truth Network.
The Forum will meet again at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 24 May, to conclude its
discussion on human rights, data collections, and its previous themes on
indigenous women and youth.
Background
The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues met today to begin its discussion on
human rights, data collection, and the previous Forum themes of indigenous
children and youth and indigenous women. (For background information, see
Press Release HR/4836 of 13 May.)
Discussion
RODOLFO STAVENHAGEN, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and
fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples, noted that the situation of
indigenous peoples was far from satisfactory, despite strides made in some
nations. A major obstacle to the full enjoyment of indigenous rights was
poverty, which affected such groups more severely than the rest of the
world’s population. Indigenous poverty indices were higher than national
averages, and the poverty itself was more grinding. Indigenous poverty related
not only to income, but to a lack of basic needs, as well as access to social
services, water resources, ancestral lands and other natural wealth.
Indigenous poverty was a complex picture, which could not be overcome with
partial measures, but must be addressed across-the-board.
He said that persistent poverty among indigenous peoples was due to the
continued denial of their basic human rights, stressing that any government
policies to eradicate it must be based on acknowledgement and respect for
those rights to be effective. Among other rights, indigenous peoples required
full access to education to emerge from their current situations of exclusion
and grinding poverty. Many previous decades had promoted the assimilation of
indigenous peoples, but educational policies were now being implemented that
respected cultural diversity and bilingual education, although linguistic and
pedagogical problems had still not been completely resolved. The goal of
universal primary education was far from attained, and fell short of the
minimum for indigenous children, especially for girls. The international
community must make the quality of indigenous education a priority, and it
must be accessible and in tune with indigenous cultures and social
idiosyncrasies.
Faced with poverty and educational shortfalls, indigenous people had not stood
idly by, but had brought their own creativity to promote educational and
social development in their communities. The international community must
build on the experience and insights of indigenous peoples in forming
educational policy, and the Forum could play an important role in ongoing
planning. Governments should redouble their efforts to protect the rights of
indigenous peoples, and the Forum could put forward recommendations, such as
requesting country focal points to monitor the realization of indigenous
rights.
The representative of the Asia Caucus recommended, among other things, that
the Forum should monitor the implementation of recommendations of the report
on indigenous peoples. He called for the elimination of discrimination against
indigenous peoples and the organization of a meeting in that regard with
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Development
Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Calling attention to the increasing
militarization of indigenous territories, a violation of the human rights of
indigenous people, he said martial law was still imposed in some provinces of
countries in the Asian region and recommended that the Forum should conduct a
study on the matter, as well as organize a series of seminars on the issue.
The representative of the Pacific Caucus recommended that the Forum support
the establishment of a regional office of the Commission on Human Rights in
Fiji and that it restate the concepts of self-determination and genocide. The
Forum should call for United Nations support of constitutional recognition of
indigenous peoples. The Forum should also revisit the issue of decolonization
and recommend that Guam be reinscribed on the United Nations list of
Non-self-Governing Territories and that the Decolonization Committee assist
those territories. The Special Rapporteur should conduct regional
consultations in Guam, Fiji, New Zealand and West Papua. He also recommended
that the Forum request annual reports on the status of indigenous women in the
Pacific basin.
The representative of Fiji, associating himself with statement on behalf of
the Pacific Caucus, said that achievements made during the International
Decade for Indigenous Peoples could best be summarized as modest. He welcomed
calls for a Plan of Action and was concerned at the difficulties in reaching a
consensus on the draft declaration. He hoped everybody would do the utmost to
present for adoption the declaration. He said Fiji had always recommended a
comprehensive approach to the human rights of indigenous peoples. He called
for the inclusion of the individual and collective rights of the indigenous
peoples in national constitutions and national laws.
A representative of the African Caucus stressed that relevant international
human rights instruments should be ratified by African States, including the
International Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of
the Child. Gross human rights violations were taking place on that continent,
such as the abduction of children for armed conflict, contemporary forms of
slavery, and violence against women.
Moreover, free, prior and informed consent (for development projects, for
example) should be respected by all corporations operating on indigenous
African territories, she said. She called on the Forum to review legal
distortions in Africa to determine the truth and ensure that justice was
carried out, and to ensure African participation in the Office of the High
Commission on Human Rights. The Forum should also work closely with the United
Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and fundamental freedoms of
indigenous peoples.
The President of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations said all relevant
authorities in the United Nations should work towards the human rights of
indigenous peoples. For last three years, the Group had been concerned with
preserving itself, as it had endured difficult times since some States felt it
was redundant now that the Forum was operational. However, the Group had been
supported by several indigenous groups, the Office of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights, as well as Economic and Social Council, and the difficulties
had been overcome.
The Group had analyzed the work of the two organizations and had determined
that their respective mandates did not interfere with each other. Beginning in
2001, the Working Group had begun exploring new working methods, and had
documented them. Both organizations must work together with the international
community to peacefully resolve inter-ethnic problems, and to alleviate the
grinding poverty that marked the daily lives of indigenous peoples, which
affected all human rights.
The representative of the Assembly of First Nations said the Special
Rapporteur, in his report on the indigenous peoples of Canada, had noted that
the economic and social indicators were drastically lower among indigenous
peoples than among Canadians in general. Among the priorities in advancing the
human rights were housing and the right to self-determination. Implementation
of the right to self-determination would provide the First Nations with the
resources and capacities to advance their interests. Aboriginal rights had no
“sunset” in Canada, he said. He called on the Government of Canada to
abolish its repressive policies. He endorsed the report’s recommendations
regarding land access and access to resources for the First Nations.
The representative of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples said the report
recognized that the Government in Canada had many programmes and financial
funds to consider the problems of aboriginal communities but also noted that,
in some cases, the Government of Canada had contributed to impoverishment. The
report called on Canada to do more to close the gaps between aboriginal and
non-aboriginal human rights. There was a clear link between poverty in many
aboriginal communities and the rights to life and land. There was a slow pace
of settling land claims and a tendency towards inclusion of clauses in
agreements asking indigenous peoples to give up their inherent rights. He
called on the Government of Canada to protect the right to life and resources
of aboriginal people. As Canada had the reputation of pleading for human
rights internationally, the Government had a responsibility to show leadership
and quickly implement the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur.
The representative of the Seventh Generation Fund/American Indian Law Alliance
said many indigenous peoples had been highly frustrated by the working methods
of the Chair of the Working Group. It had held back adoption of some articles
that were near consensus. He asked the Permanent Forum to recommend to changes
in the Working Group’s methods of work, including adding an indigenous
co-chair, and that sub-working groups continue to be co-chaired by an
indigenous and a State representative. The provisions receiving overwhelming
support should be promptly, albeit provisionally, adopted.
A representative of several indigenous groups, including the Indian Treaty
Council, referred to indigenous groups who were unable to attend United
Nations sessions on the declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, but
would be impacted by their outcome. She called on the Forum to reaffirm that
the declaration’s subcommission text would continue to be the basis of
future discussion; and that the declaration would not be adopted without
indigenous peoples’ free, prior and informed consent. Further, the
intersessional working group should agree on a new and dynamic method of work;
discuss all articles in the text that violated human rights law; and discuss
proposals for additional changes that clarified or extended the text.
A representative of the Enlace Continental de Mujeres Indígenas Región Sud
América pointed out the harmful effects of the ongoing war in her country (Colombia)
on indigenous peoples, including persistent violence against women, and
ongoing drug trafficking. Actions by the State had been inadequate in
protecting indigenous peoples, who were seeking special protection from the
United Nations Human Rights Commission. Among other actions, a monitor should
be appointed to check Colombia’s compliance with international human rights
instruments, as well as with the social and cultural rights of indigenous
peoples.
A representative of O’odham VOICE against the WALL/Traditional O’odham
Communities highlighted incidences of increased militarization along the
United States boundary with Mexico, which had led to human rights violations
against her people. Those included verbal attacks, unlawful searches, and lack
of access to traditional indigenous routes. The United States was constructing
fences with no respect for uncovered remains and artefacts in traditional
burial grounds. She called on the Special Rapporteur for indigenous rights to
investigate such proceedings, recommending that he deal directly with
indigenous leaders.
The representative of the United Association of Khmer Kampuchea Kromasked the
Permanent Forum to acknowledge her people as an entity with problems of
religious prosecution and land confiscation in Viet Nam and the Lao People’s
Democratic Republic, leaving thousands of its people homeless. Freedom of
movement was prohibited, and advanced education was denied. Only six people
out of a population of 8 million had received a master’s degree. She said
many of her people disappeared because of political involvement. Indigenous
women and children were abused. Wrongly accused people were in prison without
trial, and freedom of expression was denied. She recommended that human rights
violations in Viet Nam and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic be
investigated and documented case by case, and that a report on that matter be
disseminated among her people.
The representative of the Russian Association of Indigenous People of the
North said it was important to research the extent to which States were, in
their legislation, recognizing the rights of the indigenous peoples. Many
States, among them the Russian Federation, had signed treaties regarding the
rights of native peoples, but had not ratified them. The Human Rights
Commission had determined that further research was necessary on the
constitutional rights of the indigenous peoples. He had asked the Special
Rapporteur to visit the Russian Federation in 2004, native rights had been
removed from some legislation. He called on the Permanent Forum to work
closely with the Rapporteur to adopt the recommendations of the Special
Rapporteur.
The representative of the Russian Association of Finno-Ugric Peoples said that
after the “perestroika”, the Constitution guaranteed the rights of small
groups of indigenous peoples. However, regional legislation in that regard was
outstripping federal regulation. The major shortcoming was that they focused
on small indigenous issues and not on the political will of local authorities
and the availability of financial resources. Those people that had not had the
good fortune of having good leaders -- or oil -- were relying on the Federal
Government. However, last year more than a hundred federal laws had been
amended, and the 1999 framework law on safeguards of small group of indigenous
peoples had been drastically revised. Now regions had lost the right to adopt
laws on land use for small indigenous peoples. Free access to forestry
resources for indigenous peoples had also been lost.
The representative of the International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal
Peoples spoke on behalf of the indigenous communities of Nigeria that were
home to the richest natural resources in the world. Unfortunately, he said,
those natural resources had been a source of State-sponsored repression, of
which he gave many examples, including shootings and bombings of villages,
resulting in killings of indigenous peoples, including women and children. He
called for the demilitarization of the indigenous Niger delta oil-producing
communities and recommended, among other things, that the Nigerian Government
ensure the genuine participation of indigenous communities in the
constitutional decision-making process. He also recommended that the
indigenous communities be consulted in the execution of gigantic projects
which threatened their ecosystem. The European Union should ensure respect for
human rights in the granting of aid to the Nigerian census project.
A representative of several indigenous groups, including FEINE/CONMIE,
recommended that the Special Rapporteur on indigenous rights should encourage
States receiving women migrants to respect their cultures and values, and urge
States to comply with the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on the
rights of migrant women. Further, States should attune their laws with
international human rights instruments; draw up laws to give work in the home
a dignified status; and set up bodies of leading indigenous leaders to monitor
the realization of indigenous peoples’ rights.
A representative of the Bangladesh Adivasi Forum noted that serious human
right violations were occurring in his country, including the house-burnings
and rape. Moreover, many United Nations peacekeepers were violating human
rights, and new areas were being taken over for army camps and training
centres. Adding that a national ombudsman and proposed human rights commission
were still lacking, he called for United Nations support in monitoring the
human rights situation in Bangladesh.
A representative of the World Adavasi Council said the situation for
indigenous peoples had been deteriorating steadily, despite efforts by the
United Nations to assist them, and a thorough investigation must take place to
reverse that trend. He recommended that full indigenous participation and
freedom of choice occur in development activities; that international
assistance be monitored to ensure that it reached indigenous people; and that
the international community draw up a worldwide plan to protect forests.
A representative of the Grand Council of the Crees recommended that the Forum
urge the working group on the draft declaration concerning the rights of
indigenous peoples to uphold the United Nations Charter and adhere to
international law. The working group should adopt a new and dynamic method of
work with the full participation of indigenous peoples and invite the Special
Rapporteur on indigenous rights and other experts to attend formal and
informal sessions of the working group. She noted that the United Nations had
tried to adopt the draft declaration for 24 years and stressed that the time
had come to lay down some clear criteria and assist the intersessional working
group in its deliberations. The knowledge and findings of the Special
Rapporteur and other experts were needed at the working group’s sessions to
resolve outstanding differences.
Questions and Answers
Forum members argued in favour of international and national recognition of
the rights of indigenous peoples and inclusion of those rights into all
aspects of the Millennium Development Goals. They asked for a partnership
between governments in organizations representing indigenous peoples regarding
their rights to self-determination and control of natural resources.
Concerning the Special Rapporteur’s suggestion to establish focal points on
indigenous matters within United Nations country teams, a member asked if
country teams were present in all countries with indigenous peoples. Another
Forum member asked how effective national human rights institutions addressed
violations of the rights of indigenous peoples. Questions were also asked
regarding the isolated situations in which many indigenous people found
themselves.
One Forum member noted that attaining the Millennium Development Goals,
including those concerning the elimination of poverty, were at the heart of
the current debate, but she stressed that economic and political issues should
also be addressed, as they served as sources of conflicts. Many of those
issues reflected colonial features. Referring to ongoing “genocide and
ethnocide” in Colombia, she called for United Nations mechanisms to
eliminate the militarization of indigenous peoples’ lands.
Another Forum member drew attention to the misconception that the problems of
indigenous peoples in rich and developed nations were effectively addressed.
Forum members further noted the need for national curricula on indigenous
peoples’ cultural and philosophical heritage and for the mass media to stop
depicting indigenous people as “cartoon figures”. Questions were also
asked regarding coordination between the various Special Rapporteurs on
various issues, including the right to food.
Responding, Mr. STAVENHAGEN, the special Rapporteur, said the three areas
within the United Nations system devoted to indigenous peoples should
encourage the Organization to focus on indigenous issues. There was no rivalry
between the Forum, the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, and the
Special Rapporteur on indigenous rights. Each area had a specific mandate and
its own legitimacy within the system. The areas complemented each other in
their activities, and the three mechanisms had tried to coordinate their
efforts.
He said that, regarding continued violence suffered by indigenous peoples, the
international community should pay increased attention to procedures and
mechanisms for diminishing the levels of violence and preventing ethnocide in
countries where indigenous peoples were victims.
He said he was optimistic that progress would be made on the draft declaration
on the rights of indigenous peoples at the beginning of the newly inaugurated
Second International Decade for the World’s Indigenous Peoples. As for
increasing cooperation during the Second Decade, an attempt must be made to
involve United Nations agencies, as well as the Human Rights Commission, in
the Decade’s activities.
A representative of the Statistics Division of the Department of Economic and
Social Affairs said the social and demographic branch of her division had been
working with indigenous peoples to review the existence of disaggregated data
for indigenous peoples. Some countries had included specific questions on
census forms to determine whether respondents belonged to indigenous groups,
or to which ethic group they belonged. Adding that the Division had also
reviewed the extent certain populations were excluded, she said the findings
from its report would be included in the demographic yearbook special topic
section. Some data was already being displayed on the Internet, and data would
be soon be added on religion.
A representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), speaking on
behalf of the Director of the UNFPA’s Latin American division, said
governments had acknowledged that focusing on health and gender was central to
reaching the Millennium Goals. Investments in population were vital to improve
the health of children, treating HIV/AIDS, and encouraging sustainable
development. Making those goals a reality depended on local ownership for
projects, and an enabling environment, which should consider economic, social,
and political factors, as well as racism and discrimination.
He added that poor people in indigenous communities worldwide had the least
access to education and health care, keeping them in a vicious cycle of
poverty from one generation to the next. The UNFPA was designing questions to
separate out indigenous statistics from other groups in Central America. It
also had a close partnership with the Continental Partnership of Indigenous
Women, had stepped efforts to obtain gender and ethnic disaggregated data, and
was analyzing emerging population trends and ageing, which would have
implications for indigenous populations.
The President of the Working Group on Indigenous Peoples, said cooperation
among the three groups dealing with indigenous issues could indeed be stepped
up, but such cooperation must start by recognizing the importance of
acknowledging at the national and international levels the rights of
indigenous peoples. If those rights were not acknowledged, there could be no
reduction of poverty among indigenous peoples. The first time the three groups
had acted in concert was in 2000, when the two Chairmen and the Special
Rapporteur had written a letter urging everyone involved in negotiations on
the issues to wrap up their work.
Cooperation could also be galvanized on possible help in negotiations on the
declaration. The Working Group had formally expressed its readiness to do so,
he said, but first, there should be a formal request. He agreed that advantage
should be taken of every mechanism available in the system, including the
Treaty Bodies. Those bodies had gotten a request from the Commission on Human
Rights asking them to pay attention to the situation of the indigenous
peoples.
JULIAN BURGER, representative of the Office of the High Commissioner on Human
Rights, said that in taking the work regarding indigenous peoples’ issues
forward, the Office would try to engage countries. As for the recommendations
of the Special Rapporteur, he said the Office had to look at how those
recommendations could be turned into projects on the ground. The Office had
started work on that in two countries in Latin America. In trying to move
forward for a general national programme of human rights, however, all
recommendations of all Special Rapporteurs had to be taken into account.
National human rights institutions would do well to include indigenous
perspectives and indigenous staff in their work. The Office also helped UNDP
to reflect better human rights and indigenous rights. The Office was looking
at a mechanism that would give indigenous peoples an opportunity to
participating in country teams.
Strengthening of mechanisms and policy development was another issue, he said.
The Office was looking at guidelines for the private sector. There was also
potential to exploit better other mechanisms that were less obvious, such as
the Special Rapporteurs on adequate housing and the right to food. Indigenous
peoples needed to be encouraged to better use the existing special procedures,
as well as the Treaty Bodies. A third area for Office involvement was
capacity-building for indigenous peoples and government institutions. He
proposed that members of the Permanent Forum spend some time with the agencies
to see how policy frameworks were developed and giving feedback. The knowledge
available within the Permanent Forum had not really been used for substantive
input. The Office could assist in cooperation between the several mechanisms.
He invited Forum members to spend some time in the Office, to get to know the
Office better and to give the Office an opportunity to use available knowledge.
CONRAD HUNTER, of the secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity,
said the Convention recognized the linkage between biological diversity and
traditional knowledge. At its second meeting, the Permanent Forum had invited
the Convention’s secretariat to conduct a workshop on environment and
cultural diversity. Such a workshop would be held next week in Japan, with
strong representation of indigenous peoples. Convention staff was also working
on a code of ethical conduct in areas occupied by indigenous peoples. He hoped
that a draft code could be negotiated in 2006. Negotiation of an international
regime on access to genetic resources was important too. He encouraged members
of the Permanent Forum to take an interest in that issue, because it provided
an opportunity to ensure that traditional knowledge would be protected.
Discussion
Regarding the Convention on Biological Diversity, Forum members noted that
many States were formulating legislation on access and benefits and asked what
the status was regarding national legislation on benefit-sharing for
indigenous peoples. Sovereignty over natural resources by indigenous peoples
was the important issue to be pushed within the Convention on Biological
Diversity they said.
Forum members also stressed the importance of disaggregated data as a crucial
tool to formulate policies in achieving the Millennium Development Goals,
particularly for the marginalized members of civil society, including
indigenous peoples. They asked whether the Statistical Division had taken
particular steps to speed up its work and whether it had urged States to
provide the necessary disaggregated data also, had the Division worked with
other agencies in that regard. Another question concerned registration of
indigenous peoples who had been born outside their region.
Questions and Answers
Forum members questioned whether the Statistical Division had taken steps to
speed up the issuance of disaggregated data, and whether it had worked with
other agencies to formulate statistical tools and methods for such data.
Responding, the representative of the Statistical Division (DESA) said it had
been collecting census data from specific countries. The general guideline was
that countries themselves made decisions based on their needs, consulting with
groups at risk of being enumerated. The Statistical Division followed, rather
than imposed, national practices and reported on their activities.
As for the Millennium Goals, she continued, work on those objectives was not
focusing on disaggregated data by ethnic background, only aggregated data.
To another query on traditional knowledge and the draft declaration, Mr.
Hunter said his organization had just concluded a workshop with the African
Group on traditional knowledge, which had come up with several recommendations
to forward to the working group on the draft declaration.
One Forum member introduced the report (document E/C.19/2005/3) on the
International Workshop on Methodology Regarding Free, Prior and Informed
Consent of Indigenous Peoples, an issue that had been identified by the Forum
as a priority. The Workshop had been held from 17 to 19 January, and was
attended by 67 experts and observers of the United Nations system and other
intergovernmental organizations, governments and indigenous organizations.
Free, prior and informed consent was viewed as a principle based on the human
rights approach to development. It was designed to develop relevant policy
frameworks at the agency level, including the United Nations Development
Assistance Framework (UNDAF), Policy Strategy Development Papers and
Millennium Development Goals. It had been emphasized that such consent was
essential for achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
He said the workshop had concluded, among other things, that it was imperative
that the views of indigenous peoples should be at the centre of policies for
implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. It had recommended that
the Permanent Forum should be invited to participate in the efforts of the
Working Group on Indigenous Populations concerning free, prior and informed
consent. Governments, the private sector and indigenous peoples should be
aware of the principles of consent when planning development projects. The
inter-agency support group on indigenous issues should develop a handbook on
indigenous issues for United Nations country teams. Case studies should be
undertaken to analyse current practices on free, prior and informed consent.
Another Forum member, noting that the work of DESA did not reflect the data
that indigenous peoples wanted, asked that the Statistical Division provide
training to national statistical commissions. National statistical
institutions had used data from which the indigenous people were missing. She
also called for coordination of the Division with the Economic Commission for
Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
Discussion
The representative of Nepal said indigenous groups had been active in
protecting and promoting their identities in his country, and so far the
Federation of Indigenous Nations had recognized 59 indigenous groups. The
statistical bureau issued figures based on caste, ethnicity and mother tongue,
but still lacked disaggregated data by indigenous group. The first United
Nations Decade on Indigenous Peoples had helped bring indigenous issues to the
attention of planners and administrators in the country.
He stressed that work on the Millennium Goals should be revised to ensure the
full participation of indigenous peoples in reaching those objectives. Further,
he recommended the use of disaggregated data in adopting policies; that
mechanisms be strengthened and tools set up for the full and effective
participation of indigenous peoples; and that governments adopt a human rights
approach to implement and monitor the Millennium Goals.
A representative of the Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, said it was unclear how much
data on indigenous peoples in his country was publicly available, and how much
had been secretly filed. Available figures were inaccurate, representing gross
underestimates in some cases. When it came to literacy and educational status,
data followed religious criteria, rather then indigenous ethnicity. Official
statistics for public jobs held by indigenous peoples were unavailable in a
disaggregated form. He recommended that the State pay more heed to
disaggregated data for indigenous peoples, and that United Nations agencies
take measures to consider indigenous peoples’ issues.
The representative of Chile said his country had ensured that economic
development was consistent with the social development of its citizens. Major
efforts had been made regarding the right to land, and a special programme had
been initiated for indigenous people, which aimed to increase access to land
for young married men and women. The country had also identified nine major
areas for indigenous development, which constituted almost 8 per cent of its
land. In addition, it had supported entrepreneurship by sponsoring young
entrepreneurs in sparsely populated areas of national parks to promote
ecotourism.
The representative of the Enlace Continental de Mujeres Indígenas Región Sud
América said the indigenous young people of South America recommended to
States that priority be given to quality education, including on their own
cultures, and that they also focus on sexual and reproductive health. They
called on States to pay particular attention to young people affected by
violence, in particular indigenous peoples. They also recommended that States
implement programmes that prevented sexual exploitation. To make the
Millennium Development Goals, reality young people, adults, organizations and
States must work hand in hand to build a more decent society marked by
solidarity, she said.
The representative of Coordinadora Nacional de Mujeres Indigenas del Estado
Brasilero said the Millennium Development Goals afforded an opportunity to
implement policies that guaranteed the full participation of indigenous
peoples. Indigenous women should be consulted regarding programmes to meet
their needs, and their culture should be respected. States must comply with
International Labour Organization (ILO) Covenant 169, including provisions for
free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples. The sexual and
reproductive health of women must be improved, and maternal mortality reduced.
Governments must make resources available for the participation of indigenous
women, and should support national and regional initiatives to benefit them.
The representative of Russian Association of Finno-Ugric Peoples said that in
order to address the problems of indigenous peoples, data must be available,
to be provided by national institutions. There was also a need for
disaggregated data. Indigenous people often lived in sparsely populated areas
and did not receive adequate information. Some countries, like the Russian
Federation, were home to several indigenous peoples, and data on each of those
groups was needed, regardless of their size as a group. The participation of
indigenous peoples’ representatives at all stages of research would help in
that regard. He proposed that indicators be established to collect comparable
information on indigenous peoples in various countries and recommended that
the United Nations carry out a study on the quality of life of indigenous
peoples.
The representative of the Asociación de Cabildos Indígenas del Norte del
Cauca drew attention to the situation of the Cauca area in Colombia, asking
for improved living conditions for the people living there. The indigenous
peoples of Cauca had a unity structure based on customs aiming to protect
their territories. That structure often clashed with the State’s development
policies. The region also suffered from attacks on its territories from
insurgents and counter-insurgents. Houses were destroyed, and mass arrests
were made. He requested that the Indigenous Guard be recognized as an
international peace agent and that a Special Rapporteur be appointed for the
Indigenous Peoples in Colombia. He also called for action at the highest
international levels to reach an immediate ceasefire.
A representative of the Pacific Caucus recommended that the Forum ensure the
accessibility of indigenous data to the groups concerned; that the World Bank
and other relevant institutions ensure that indigenous peoples had access to
data on their communities; that the United Nations make better progress on
collecting disaggregated data in the Pacific region; and that the Organization
support workshops in the Pacific region on data collection.
A representative of the Youth Caucus said indigenous communities faced the
risk of cultural and economic deprivation, if not extinction. Stressing that
violation of their lands had impinged on indigenous rights, she said
indigenous peoples were not afforded the same basic rights as the rest of the
population. She recommended that United Nations agencies review and implement
previous recommendations by indigenous youth, and conduct training programmes
on how to navigate the United Nations system, especially on treaty bodies.
All United Nations agencies should pressure governments to provide indigenous
peoples with the same basic rights that were provided to all human beings, she
said, calling on the United Nations to review, implement and fund all past
recommendations to promote indigenous rights.
A representative of Indigenous Children’s Caucus/CORE Manipur – Indigenous
Children said it was increasingly important that indigenous peoples take
responsibility for indigenous children’s rights. His group had requested
support from governments and United Nations agencies to promote children’s
rights, but it would do so regardless of any contributions from other
organizations. He encouraged input on indigenous children from indigenous
peoples worldwide, and requested the Forum to ask the Inter-Agency Support
Group to support the participation of indigenous peoples in a workshop on
health concerns and basic education.
A representative of the Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Organization described
the critical situation of indigenous peoples in Bangladesh, due to the ongoing
militarization and exploitation of ancestral lands. He suggested that the
Forum develop mechanisms to monitor and implement recommendations of the past
two sessions, and request United Nations agencies to submit progress reports
on implementation of recommendations. In addition, the United Nations should
extend the Asian regional indigenous people’s programme to other regions and
strictly monitor records of army personnel before allowing them to participate
in peacekeeping operations.
The representative of the Assembly of First Nations Women’s Council said
gender issues of indigenous peoples were often not addressed. However,
indigenous women of the First Nations in Canada were often marginalized and
faced multifaceted discrimination. Women were often the poorest in indigenous
communities. First Nations women were still at the lowest rank in terms of
social indicators and faced the highest risk of violence. Indigenous women
held particular knowledge of ecological linkages and fragile ecosystems and
had often taken the lead in protecting the environment. The empowerment of
First Nations women was vital to the future cultural and spiritual well-being
of all First Nations people.
The representative of the Caribbean Antilles Indigenous Peoples Caucus and the
Diaspora, said the Caucus called on the Forum to request the Office of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights to organize human rights training for
indigenous and political leaders. The Caucus also called on the Forum and
relevant agencies to commence dialogue in the use of the “St. Lucia model
approach” for data collection on Eastern Caribbean States. It asked that the
Forum recommend to the United Nations the organization of a workshop on data
collection for Caribbean people. He proposed further that the Forum recommend
that the Caribbean Antilles be one of priority areas on studies for indigenous
urban youth and that an international indigenous youth conference be held in
the Caribbean.
The representative of the University of Toronto drew attention to the Yakaghir,
living in Yakutz in North Asia, a small group living on the brink of ethnic
catastrophe. She said that it was ironic that the area was known for the
discovery of a mammoth, but that no one expressed any sorrow about the people
living there. They suffered from poverty, as the reindeer stock, the main diet,
had been reduced. Living in arctic conditions, men had been overcome by
depression and alcoholism; women were left without providers; and there was an
increase in number of single mothers. She was afraid that the people would
disappear totally in the next generation.
A representative of the Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation said Khmer women were
treated with disrespect and discriminated against in Viet Nam. She requested
the Forum to conduct investigations into the plight of Khmers women and
implement programmes creating access to health information, as well as disease
prevention programmes. The United Nations should create and implement projects
of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in their
territory; assist women in securing education; and collaborate on creating
jobs for indigenous women, so that they could avoid trafficking and other
forced labour.
A representative of the Indigenous Peoples Environment said her people were
affected by the post-traumatic slave syndrome, and lamented the lack of any
treatment for it. They were still forbidden to be who they were as Africans,
to embrace their customs and culture. Enslaved African women had to give birth
to children in the holds of ships, chained and shackled together. It was a
wonder any captive, survivor African had any semblance of sanity left.
She said captive, African survivors who dared to acknowledge their African
identity were penalized and ostracized in society, and must regain their
dignity and place in the world. Many African slaves were whipped and deeply
cut by bullwhips, and their children whipped until they spoke the language of
their captors.
A representative of the Consejo Indio de Sud America said many indigenous
peoples would not reveal their ethnicity in statistical questionnaires because
were afraid of being denied jobs or assaulted. Racism was a problem in many
nations, and many indigenous people who had the resources changed their names
and identities. New statistics could have an adverse effect, since many had
left their ancestral lands and now lived on the peripheries of cities.
Indigenous peoples did not just live in the jungle.
The representative of MIT, an indigenous organization in Peru, drew attention
to the fate of indigenous children who often were exploited from age five on
in the mining industry and had no access to education. Some children had to
walk 15 to 30 kilometres to reach a school. Indigenous women in the
mountainous areas did not have employment or access to information, and were
treated as creatures without any humanity. He asked that the Forum recommend
to the Government of Peru that greater respect be paid to indigenous women and
girls and provide education free of charge.
The representative of the United Native Nations Truth Network said the native
people of North America were being systematically dismissed and expelled from
their homelands. They faced destruction of their cultural existence. The
Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs had interfered in the affairs of the United
Native Nations. Millions of dollars were made in gambling on behalf of the
United Native Nations, but the people were not benefiting from it.
Provided via: http://www.i-newswire.com
----------
ECOTERRA Intl.
|