On 9 August 2006 a number of representatives from oil-bearing communities gathered to outline strategies and issued a common declaration, pledging to use peaceful means to defend and protect rights to their environment, resources and development.



OIL BEARING COMMUNITIESDECLARATION ON WORLD INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY 2006

WHEREAS, the United Nations has proclaimed The International Decade of the Worlds Indigenous People for the period of 1995-2004 by General Assembly Resolution 50/157 of 21 December 1995; and

WHEREAS, the main objective of the International Decade of the Worlds Indigenous People is the strengthening of international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by Indigenous Peoples in such areas as human rights, the environment, development, health, culture and education; and

WHEREAS, a major objective of the Decade is the education of indigenous and non-indigenous societies concerning the situation, cultures, languages, rights and aspirations of Indigenous Peoples; and

WHEREAS, an objective of the Decade is the promotion and protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples and their empowerment to make choices which enable them to retain their cultural identity while participating in political, economic and social life, with full respect for their cultural values, languages, traditions and forms of social organization; and

WHEREAS, the oil production commenced in Nigeria 50 years ago in Oloibiri Community and thereafter in other Niger delta communities, and

WHEREAS, 50 years of oil exploitation has brought about misery, pollution, environmental devastation, deprivation of the rights and cultural values as aspirations of the indigenous peoples of the Niger delta; and

WHEREAS, the exploitation of oil and the resources of the territories of the Niger delta have been executed to our total exclusion in violation of our inalienable rights to the sovereignty and control of the resources of our land as guaranteed by Article 21 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and UN Resolution 41/128 of 4/12/86

NOW, THEREFORE, WE THE REPRESENTATIVES OF OIL BEARING COMMUNITIES gathered here in PORT HARCOURT today the 9th Day of August 2006, do hereby DECLARE as follows:
1. That we shall exploit all peaceful means to defend and protect our rights to our environment, resources, development and cultural values;
2. That within the context of 1 above, we shall demand the respect of our dignity and insist on our active participation in affairs relating to the exploitation of the resources of our land and all spheres of economic, social and political organization;
3. That we shall synergize our efforts and resources with a view to strengthening co-operation and shared experiences ;
4. That our collective pains and shared experiences shall be our strength and resolve to stand together in the struggle for justice.

DATED THIS AT PORT HARCOURT THIS 9TH DAY OF AUGUST 2006