Indigenous peoplesÂ’ concerns must be tackled with urgency (fwd)

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Indigenous peoples’ concerns must be tackled with urgency - Ban Ki-moon

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=23460&Cr=indigenous&Cr1=

9 August 2007 – The world’s 370 million indigenous people continue to suffer
discrimination, marginalization, extreme poverty and conflict,
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, calling for urgent action to deal
with their pressing concerns.

In a message marking the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People,
observed each year on 9 August, Mr. Ban pointed out that while the occasion
is a time to “celebrate the contributions that indigenous peoples make to
humanity through their rich civilizations,” it is also important to
remember the critical issues they grapple with daily.

Aside from discrimination, marginalization and poverty, Mr. Ban said
indigenous peoples also face dispossession of their traditional lands and
livelihoods, displacement, destruction of their belief systems, culture,
language and way of life.

“Our fast-paced world requires us to act with urgency in addressing these
issues,” he said, stressing that in doing so indigenous peoples’ full and
effective participation must be ensured at every step along the way.

Mr. Ban noted that recently, the world has grown “increasingly aware of the
need to support indigenous people,” and has done so by establishing and
promoting international standards, and by vigilantly upholding respect for
their human rights. Recognition of, and respect for, indigenous knowledge
on issues related to the environment and climate change has also been
reinforced.

The Secretary-General also highlighted the three-decade-long partnership
between indigenous peoples and the United Nations, which culminated in 2000
with the establishment of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues – an
expert body that discusses indigenous issues related to economic and social
development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.
“Today, indigenous peoples have a home at the United Nations,” he stated.

Echoing Mr. Ban’s comments, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise
Arbour emphasized that while the Day is a “celebration of humankind's
diversity and richness, it needs also to serve as a reminder of the
continuing exclusion indigenous peoples face.”

In a joint statement issued with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of
indigenous people, Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Ms. Arbour urged Member States to
adopt the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which is due to
be taken up by the General Assembly in the coming weeks.

The Declaration, adopted by the Human Rights Council in June 2006, sets out
global human rights standards for the protection of the rights of
indigenous peoples. It is drawn from the experiences of “thousands of
indigenous representatives who have shared their anguish and their hopes.”

“As we stand at the brink of this historic decision by the General Assembly,
it is the time to call upon Member States of the United Nations to join as
one and adopt the Declaration and thereby establish a universal framework
for indigenous peoples' rights, social justice and reconciliation,” she
said.

The Declaration also recognizes that respect for indigenous knowledge,
cultures and traditional practices contributes to sustainable development,
including proper management of the environment. At its 2008 session, the UN
Permanent Forum will focus on the particular vulnerability of indigenous
communities to climate change and their important role in responding to it.

“The Saami community in Scandinavia is well-known for having brought the
issue of climate change and its impact on their future livelihoods to the
fora of the international community,” stated Achim Steiner, Executive
Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Also today, Mr. Ban’s Special Representative in Nepal Ian Martin welcomed a
recent agreement between the Government and the Janajatis to ensure the
latter’s inclusion in the electoral process and the Constituent Assembly
elections scheduled for November, calling it a “major step for Nepal’s
indigenous peoples.”

Mr. Martin said the agreement also highlights the need for continuing
dialogue to ensure electoral rights for other traditionally marginalized
groups. “This will contribute to achieving the ultimate goal of the
election: to produce a Constituent Assembly that is truly representative
and able to frame a constitution which responds to the aspirations of all
Nepalese people,” he said.