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Rights of Passage: United Nations General Assembly
Adopts Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People
Alexandra Buck, Seminar Coordinator
Presbyterian United Nations Office
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration
on the Rights of Indigenous People on Thursday, September 13. This milestone
acknowledges respect for indigenous communities that have been marginalized,
discriminated against and oppressed throughout history and in our present reality.
The declaration, important not just for indigenous peoples
but for the respect of all human rights, was adopted by the Human Rights Council
in June of 2006 after being negotiated and debated for over 20 years. It articulates
the rights of indigenous peoples to their distinct institutions, cultures and
traditions, to full participation in all political and social life of their respective
states and to freedom from discrimination.
June L. Lorenzo, a Presbyterian elder and attorney
who sits on the GAPJC and a member of the Laguna Pueblo Tribal Council in New
Mexico, was present at the declaration’s passage at the United Nations.
She commented on the importance of this declaration to the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.), saying, “I
know as Presbyterians we pay attention to human rights, and because we have a
presence in almost every continent as a denomination, it’s important to
pay attention to these issues as they relate to the peoples with whom we have
connections … Worldwide,
indigenous communities fought long and hard for their recognition as sovereign
peoples, and it is a gift from God to have languages and cultures of their own.
The Presbyterian denomination should continue to grow into that realization in
their work in other countries.”
While not legally binding, the declaration reflects
nation-states’ desire
to protect indigenous peoples’ rights and “will undoubtedly be a
significant tool towards eliminating human rights violations against the over
370 million indigenous people worldwide and assist them in combating discrimination
and marginalization.”
Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, chair of the U.N. Permanent Forum
on Indigenous Issues, remarked on the uniqueness of this document to reflect
the aspirations of indigenous communities. She says, “This declaration
has the distinction of being the only declaration in the U.N. which was drafted
with the rights-holders, themselves, the indigenous peoples. We see this is as
a strong declaration which embodies the most important rights we and our ancestors
have long fought for: our right of self-determination, our right to own and control
our lands, territories and resources, our right to free, prior and informed consent,
among others.”
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