Hunger Strike by Indigenous Peoples' Representatives at the United nations!
Today, November 29th, 2004, at 11 am, we, Indigenous Peoples' delegates,
declare a hunger strike and spiritual fast inside the United Nations Palais
des Nations in Geneva, during this 3rd week of the 10th session of the Intersessional
Working Group on the United Nations Draft Declaration for the Rights on Indigenous
Peoples.
We, Indigenous peoples' delegates from different countries, undertake this
action, with the support and solidarity of Indigenous Peoples and organizations
from around the world, to call the world's attention to the continued attempts
by some states, as well as this UN process itself, to weaken and undermine
the Draft Declaration developed in the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations
and adopted by the UN Subcommission for the Prevention of Discrimination and
Protection of Minorities in 1994.
The Sub Commission text has also been endorsed and supported by hundreds
of Indigenous Peoples and organizations around the world as the minimum standard
required for the recognition and protection of Indigenous Peoples' rights
internationally.
We delegates who will undertake the hunger strike, along with the undersigned
Indigenous Peoples, organizations, tribal governments, Nations, communities
and Networks, call for the Sub Commission text of the Declaration to be sent
back to the UN Commission on Human Rights with the message that in 10 years,
proposals by States to weaken or amend the text have not gained the consensus
of the Working Group participants, which include both states and Indigenous
Peoples.
Mr. Luis Chavez, the Chairman Rapporteur of the Working Group should report
this reality and not present a "consolidated text" as if it was
"close to consensus." The Commission on Human Rights must establish
a process that does not provide a handful of States an opportunity to weaken
the human rights of Indigenous Peoples. The process also must take into account
the voices of the great numbers of Indigenous Peoples from all parts of the
world.
We will not allow our rights to be negotiated, compromised or diminished
in this UN process, which was initiated more than 20 years ago by Indigenous
Peoples. The United Nations itself says that human rights are inherent and
inalienable, and must be applied to all Peoples without discrimination.
We request that the Secretariat of this session immediately inform the Office
of the High Commissioner on Human Rights and the High Commissioner herself
of this action. We also request that the Secretariat arrange for the hunger
strikers to be able remain in the UN during the entire week of the session.
Indigenous delegates participating in the hunger strike inside the United
Nations include:
Adelard Blackman, Buffalo River Dene Nation, Canada ; Andrea Carmen, Yaqui
Nation, Arizona United States ; Alexis Tiouka, Kaliña, French Guyana
; Charmaine White Face, Ogala Tetuwan, Sioux Nation Territory, North America
Danny Billie, Traditional Independent Seminole Nation of Florida, United
States; Saul Vicente, Zapoteca, Mexico.
* Send expressions of solidarity from Indigenous Peoples and supporters
for the "hunger strike for Indigenous Rights" and for the adoption
of the current text of the UN Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples to the UN Session during this week. Send your support:
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