 
Joint NGO statement on the
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples:
Human rights organizations condemn efforts
to block vital human rights instrument
30 November 2006
International human rights organizations are outraged and dismayed
by the decision of the Third Committee of the United Nations General
Assembly to defer adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples.
The United Nations has missed a historic opportunity to fill a
critical gap in international human rights protection. The Indigenous
caucus has characterized this action as sending the message that
the “U.N. affirms Indigenous Peoples are not equal to all
other Peoples”.
The Declaration has been under development within the UN for more
than twenty years A non-binding human rights instrument, the Declaration
encourages states and Indigenous peoples to work together to address
the basic needs of Indigenous individuals and communities, including
greater control over their own lives and secure access to the lands
and natural resources essential to their daily survival and practice
of their cultures.
On June 29, the Declaration was adopted by a vote of the overwhelming
majority of the members of the UN Human Rights Council, the pre-eminent
human rights body of the United Nations.
The debate in the Third Committee was marred by unfounded and alarmist
claims about the potential impact of the Declaration. Statements
by Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA that the Declaration
would jeopardize the rights and interests of other sectors of society
willfully ignored the fact that the Declaration can only be interpreted
in relation to the full range of existing human rights protections
and state obligations. This is explicitly acknowledged in the Declaration
itself.
It was clear that domestic political agendas took precedence over
the promotion and protection of human rights. The unfortunate and
unnecessary decision to not adopt the Declaration undermines the
work of the Human Rights Council, the very body that the General
Assembly has tasked to lead on the promotion of human rights.
The motion to defer further debate was brought forward by African
states most of whom had been absent from the extensive negotiations
that had taken place over the previous two decades. Their motion,
which was passed by the Third Committee on Tuesday, November 28,
by a vote of 82 to 67, calls for the decision to be deferred until
the end of the current session of the General Assembly in September
2007so that further consultations can take place. The motion is
widely viewed as an effort to weaken or undermine key provisions
of the Declaration as adopted by the Human Rights Council.
Around the world, Indigenous peoples are among the most marginalized
and vulnerable. As a statement of common principles and aspirations,
the adoption of the Declaration would mark only the first step toward
addressing the deep-rooted prejudice and discrimination that has
led to widespread human rights violations against Indigenous peoples
worldwide.
We recognize the efforts of the many states that have worked in
support of the Declaration. We urge other states to respect the
decision of the Human Rights Council last June and to commit themselves
to the adoption of the Declaration at the earliest opportunity.
Amnesty International
Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers)
International Service for Human Rights
International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA)
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples (NCIV)
Rights & Democracy
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