The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and Survival
International today called on the UN General Assembly to adopt the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, at its
current session in New York.
Representatives of indigenous peoples across the world, Survival and
many other NGOs, lobbied over the past two decades for the text of the
Declaration to be finalized. It was adopted by the UN Human Rights
Council at its first session in June this year and sent to
the General Assembly for final approval.
The Declaration sets out benchmarks that can be used to judge the way
that governments treat tribal peoples. Although it is not legally
binding, it is the result of many years of intensive intergovernmental
negotiations, with the full participation of indigenous
representatives, and stands as the authoritative policy of the
international community on the rights of indigenous people.
The Declaration recognises the rights of indigenous peoples to their
land and to live as they wish. It provides that indigenous peoples must
be protected from forced assimilation, forced removal from their lands
and the destruction of their culture. Indigenous peoples have a right
to a reparation for violations of their rights, including restitution
and compensation.
"After many years of negotiations and compromises, this Declaration is
ready for final adoption, an opportunity that must not be lost", said
Nicholas Howen, Secretary-General of the ICJ. "This Declaration
recognises that indigenous peoples have rights and must be able to
enforce them to protect their way of life."
Survival's Director Stephen Corry said today, The imperial era was
largely based on the dispossession of most of the world's indigenous
peoples and it cannot be considered over until the world accepts these
peoples' rights. The UN must get on with it and ensure the general
assembly finally approves this declaration. Today's indigenous peoples
are still threatened with extinction; they need this declaration now.'
For more information, contact:
Survival International, Miriam Ross, +44 (0)20 7687 8734 mr@survival-international.org
International Commission of Jurists, Marie-Laure Bazerolle, +41 22 979 3811
