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	International Human Rights Day press releases Human Rights Day would have been celebrated - PFII UN's human rights record challenged AOS caucus calls for progress on self-determination Caucus appeals to Russian President General Assembly missed opportunity - Stavenhagen IPACC quotes African Charter on Rights Namibia slammed for killing UN rights resolution Civil society organisations condemn delay on Declaration UNGA fails to bring hope to Indigenous Peoples Tonatierra defends right of self-determination Defenders of human rights must support indigenous rights States are acting irresponsibly - NWAC Canada accused of disgraceful, disgusting conduct at UN ILRC continue fight to adopt Declaration Africa denies Saami and Inuit rights to self-determination Third Committee defers action on indigenous declaration Key UN committee delays action on declaration download the press kit on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples	General Assembly President, HE Madame Sheika Heya Rashed Al Khalifa, receives greetings from Indigenous delegate, Jose Carlos Morales. The President listened to requests that the Indigenous Peoples be acknowledged in the General Assembly when the Declaration is formally adopted. USEFUL LINKS for more information on the Declaration Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Documentation Centre for Indigenous Peoples Tebtebba Foundation International Indian Treaty Council American Indian Law Alliance International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs Rights and Democracy Amnesty International, Canada University of Minnesota Human Rights Library MEDIA KIT (Download Kit) Letter to States by Special Rapporteur & Chair of PFII Letter to States by Indigenous Peoples Caucus Letter to States by Ambassadors to UN Ten Key Points Declaration (download) How States voted in the Human Rights Council UN PRESS CONFERENCE 13 October 2006 View Webcast Video - 42 minutes This media conference occurred at the UN on 13 October 2006 to discuss the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples including its history, significance and current status. H.E. Mr Enrique Berruga, Permanent Representative of Mexico; Mr Aqqaluk Lynge Chairperson Innuit Circumpolar Conference Mr Kent Lebsock Executive Director American Indian Law Alliance Ms Elsa Stamatopoulou Chief, Secretariat, UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues;
Statement by Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus 9 December 2006 UN’s human rights record challenged by Indigenous Peoples 360 million Indigenous Peoples throughout the world continue to struggle against crippling conditions of poverty, yet the United Nations remains uncertain whether to support human rights for Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Peoples are clearly the poorest and most oppressed societies in the world. This poverty continues because governments refuse to acknowledge indigenous title to lands and indigenous self-determination. Last week the United Nations lost credibility when the General Assembly’s ‘Third Committee’ used a procedural vote to prevent final adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The ‘no action’ motion set back twenty-three years of work to complete the human rights standard. This work involved states, human rights experts and Indigenous Peoples participating together in negotiations. The Third Committee voted to delay the adoption because some states claimed they do not know who are the Indigenous Peoples. These states also interpreted the Declaration as authorising secession, and enabling veto of parliaments. Such interpretations are eccentric and groundless. The 53 African member states voted as a bloc to delay adoption of the Declaration. They risk being seen as supporters of continuing colonisation and subjugation of Indigenous Peoples. UN member states should not be so irresponsible as to dispense such hysterical interpretations of the Declaration and international law. They discredit the UN’s reputation on human rights and cast doubt upon the integrity of the UN. The United Nations is sending mixed messages about whether the promotion and protection of human rights is a genuine major objective of the new Millennium. The United Nations should be held accountable through democratic and transparent procedures wherever the will of the peoples of the world is under threat. The creation of the Human Rights Council has been a positive step. The Human Rights Council decided, by an overwhelming majority, to adopt the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, at its first session in June 2006. In particular, Indigenous Peoples call for the immediate adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, without amendment, by the UN General Assembly. The Indigenous Peoples Caucus calls upon the United Nations to double its commitment and efforts to promote human rights as the major pillar for the global development, equally, of all peoples. CONTACT: les.malezer@faira.org.au +61 419 710720