Tribal peoples are appealing to the British government on UN Human
Rights Day (December 10) to stop following the USA in opposing their
rights. The UK and the USA are together blocking an historic UN
declaration on indigenous rights, claiming that collective human rights
do not exist. Collective rights are essential for the survival of
tribal peoples.
This year marks the end of the UN Decade of Indigenous Peoples, during
which a draft declaration on their rights was completed following
hundreds of consultations with indigenous representatives. If agreed
upon it would stand beside the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
marking a turning point for indigenous peoples. But at the latest round
of talks in Geneva last week the UK and the USA continued to stall the
declaration's progress.
Inuit woman Dalee Sambo Dorough from Alaska says, 'Is British foreign
policy simply to follow the US? They are safeguarding the profits of
the multinationals, not human rights… Is this Tony Blair's idea
of spreading what he calls the values of freedom, democracy, the rule
of law, and justice for the oppressed?'
Armand MacKenzie, an Innu man from Quebec, adds, 'Our society depends
on sharing and on collective land ownership. The hunter must share his
food today because tomorrow he may rely on someone else. The notion of
the competitive individual winning out at the expense of all else is
very foreign to us.'
For more information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or mr@survival-international.org
