OHCHR ROUND - TABLE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ISSUES

Opening Statement by Mary Robinson

High Commissioner for Human Rights and Secretary General for the WCAR September 5, 2001 Durban, South Africa

Excerpt

I understand the concerns of Indigenous Peoples in relation to the draft declaration and programme of action, in particular the three paragraphs 26, 27 and 51 of the current draft which, in the view of Indigenous Peoples, restrict their rights. I know that a number of governments delegations are working hard to respond to these concerns, and I strongly encourage states and indigenous representatives to continue these discussions with the aim of reaching a solution that is mutually acceptable.

However, even if agreement on the most difficult issues cannot be reached amongst states, or between government and Indigenous representatives, I hope that Indigenous Peoples will not walk away from this document. Your views on these difficult paragraphs have been heard. At the same time, a number of other paragraphs represent real advances for Indigenous Peoples. There are some strong statements in the draft declaration. Please look at paragraphs 47 and 49, for example. In the programme of action, the need for greatly increasing resources for Indigenous Peoples is stressed.

UN WCAR PRESS BRIEFING

September 5, 2001

Excerpt
Report by Susan Markham, Spokesperson for the WCAR, with regards to Indigenous Peoples and the Round Table on Racism and Indigenous Peoples:

Turning to special events, Ms. Markham said that High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson spoke this morning at a round table on racism and indigenous peoples. She said she was aware of the deep concern over the controversy and contradictions about paragraphs 26 and 27 of the draft declaration. Mrs. Robinson assured everybody that governments were working hard to address the issue.

Ms. Markham quoted the High Commissioner as stressing that government delegates were pressured with many demands, but they were indeed working on the issue of indigenous peoples. The overriding issue was that the Durban Conference should be a positive experience for all indigenous peoples and that they should leave Durban with a reaffirmation of their individual and collective rights.

Mrs. Robinson, who is Secretary-General to the World Conference, also said that the government representatives had heard the voices of the indigenous peoples and that she, in her personal capacity, would try to influence them as much as possible behind the scenes on the issue of that contradiction.

Ms. Markham noted that the audience appeared to be very grateful to the High Commissioner for all her efforts on their behalf. She received high applause and was very highly praised by Erica Daes, Chairperson of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations.

However, the Spokeswoman said, Ms. Daes was critical of "the intolerable and unacceptable" delays that have sometimes failed to change the state of indigenous peoples.

PRESS RELEASE - UN WCAR 

Durban, South Africa RD/D/43 

September 6, 2001 

Plenary PM Meeting

Excerpts

CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM CONTINUES TO HEAR CONCERNS OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

This afternoon, the Conference heard from 32 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) during the general debate of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, who covered a number of national concerns as well as problems in more general areas such as health care and social work. As the Conference moved closer to the adoption of its Declaration and Programme of Action, the NGO Forum caucuses detailed their wishes and objections.

While different perceptions of past and present wrongs made it difficult to find a common language, the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations stated, for NGOs the important thing was that their pleas were being heard and that they were all committed in different ways to form a global alliance against racism. However difficult the negotiations might be, the Conference of Non-Governmental l Organizations still believed the Conference would be a milestone in a process leading to a new era in which racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance would be be tossed "into the dustbin of history".

NGOs representing indigenous peoples all asked for deletion of paragraph 27 of the Conference's draft Declaration, and many strongly objected to paragraph 26 of that draft, arguing that it would render indigenous peoples' rights subject to the territorial integrity of States, and would put limitations on indigenous peoples' right of self-determination.

PLENARY SPEAKERS AT THE UN WCAR AGAINST RACISM:
REPRESENTATIVES OF INDIGENOUS ORGANISATIONS

Visit these pages frequently to read excerpts and full texts of official presentations by representatives from Indigenous organisations:

METIS NATIONAL COUNCIL

Canada 

NEWS RELEASE 

MÉTIS NATION OF CANADA MAKES PRESENTATION TO UN TODAY AT THE WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM

Ottawa (September 6, 2001) --- The Métis Nation of Canada made its presentation today to the UN at the World Conference Against Racism being held in Durban, South Africa.

In his presentation, TONY BELCOURT, the representative for the Métis Nation in Canada condemned Canada’s treatment of the Métis in Canada. He stated, "In 1982 we secured the ‘Constitutional’ recognition of our people and our rights. But today Canada still refuses to recognize our people and our rights…contrary to the Constitution and the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. A report which the United Nations itself has urged Canada to adopt."

FULL TEXT OF SPEECH 

Fidel Castro

KEY ADDRESS BY DR. FIDEL CASTRO RUZ, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA AT THE WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM, RACIAL DISCRIMINATIN. XENOPHOBIA AND RELATED INTOLERANCE

September 1, 2001

Fidel Castro

South Africa

 

Excerpt:

It is high time to put an end to the dramatic situation of the indigenous communities in our hemisphere. Their own awakening and struggles, and the universal admission of the monstrosity of the crime committed against them make it imperative.

INDIGENOUS MEDIA DIALOGUE, 2001

With the approval of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the relevant advisory group, an Indigenous Media Dialogue is being organized as part of the parallel events at the World Conference Against Racism. 10 Indigenous journalists from various regions of the world are facilitating this event. The selected journalists are: Lorna Seneiya Kamotho (Kenya); Kenneth Deer (Canada); Mauricio B. Malanes (Philippines); Ajitman Tamang (Nepal); Arak Yahia (Algeria); Esperanza Sanchez Espitia (Columbia); Atencio Lopez (Panama); Flavie Dalap (Kanak Islands, South Pacific); Julie Nimmo (Australia); and Anotoli Gogolev (Russian Federation).

 

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