UN General Assembly Supports Indigenous Rights

September 13, 2007 marked an historic moment for the more than 370,000,000 indigneous peoples of the world when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The vote in the assembly was 143 in favor and four against. Eleven countries, including Russia and Colombia, abstained while opposition came from Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. “... by adopting the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples we are making further progress to improve the situation of indigenous peoples around the world,” stated General Assembly President Haya Al Khalifa. The vote is the climax of 22 years of intensive debate and negotiation.Adopted by the Human Rights Council in June 2006,the Declaration addresses both individual and collective rights, cultural rights and identity, rights to education, health, employment,language and others. The Declaration explicitly encourages harmonious and cooperative relations between States and Indigenous Peoples. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warmly welcomed the adoption, calling it “a triumph for indigenous peoples around the world.” He further noted that “this marks a historic moment when UN Member States and indigenous peoples reconciled with their painful histories and resolved to move forward together on the path of human rights, justice and development for all.” Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Sha Zukang said that the UN “has fulfilled its role as the world’s parliament and has responded to the trust that Indigenous Peoples around the world placed in it, that it will stand for dignity and justice, development and peace for all, without discrimination." To view a webcast of the General Assembly session, see: www.un.org/webcast/ga.html