FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 19, 2006

New York, New York

 

MEMBER NATIONS AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES CALL FOR UNIFIED SUPPORT FOR THE UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AT 2006 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

 

On this historic occasion, after 20 years of development, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will be considered for adoption at the current session of the UN General Assembly in New York.  The Nordic countries, the European Union, Peru, Guatemala, Mexico and China are among the many nations that have championed the passage of this Declaration. 

 

Ms. Xóchitl Gálvez Ruiz, Director General of Mexico’s National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples declared the Mexican government’s full support for the Declaration in her statement to the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee on Monday, October 16^th.  She stated, “To Mexico, the widespread support that the Declaration enjoys throughout the international community and particularly among indigenous peoples and organizations, is of the utmost relevance.”

 

Mexican Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba is the President of the newly formed United Nations Human Rights Council which adopted the Declaration at its inaugural session in June of this year. 

 

“This is a vital human rights document for the more than 300 million indigenous people around the world.  We are gratified by the overwhelming support that has been expressed by States for the adoption of the Declaration by this year’s General Assembly,” states Les Malezer, an Aboriginal leader from Australia, who is Chair of the Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus in New York.

 

“Indigenous representatives from Africa, North America, Latin America, Asia, the Artic and Pacific regions have gathered in New York to join efforts with States to achieve this framework for improved relations and partnerships between States and Indigenous Peoples,” Héctor Huertas, a Kuna Indigenous attorney from Panama. 

 

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and the Heads of States and governments in the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document have all called for adoption of the Declaration “as soon as possible” as a key step forward in the recognition of human rights of Indigenous Peoples by the United Nations. “This moment has now arrived,” says Céleste McKay, representing the Native Women’s Association of Canada, another Indigenous representative attending the United Nations session in New York. 

 

For more information, contact Mr. Les Malezer by email les.malezer@faira.org.au or at 917-774-7346 (NY cell) until December 23, 2006.