UNPO - UNPO Launches Campaign for Ratification of the 1989 ILO Convention

UNPO Launches Campaign for Ratification of the 1989 ILO Convention

Wednesday, 21 May 2008

UNPO launched a Campaign for the Ratification of the 1989 ILO Convention No. 169 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries at the UNPO General Assembly held in Brussels, Belgium, on 16 and 17 May 2008.

The Hague, 21 May 2008 – Since the 1950s, within the contexts such as the United Nations, a greater understanding for the situation of traditionally marginalized, stigmatized and discriminated indigenous peoples has developed and specialized bodies created, in order to effectively tackle the problems faced by indigenous peoples.

The 1989 Convention adopted by the International Labor Organization (ILO) concerning the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries is one example of such an effort. Disconcertingly however, only 19 of the 181 Member states of the ILO have signed and ratified this Convention, despite the fact that the Convention outlines a large number of right perceived as normal to non-indigenous citizens.

Since selectively granting groups their human rights consists of a grave breach of the universal right to freedom from discrimination, UNPO urges all Member States to the International Labor Organization (ILO) to sign and ratify the 1989 ILO Convention No. 169 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries; calls on the ILO Member States and the international community to consult the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples concerned when considering legislative or administrative measures which may directly affect them and to grant Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries ownership and possession of lands and natural resources which they traditionally occupy.

Appeal for the Rights of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples

A Campaign for the ratification of the 1989 ILO Convention

The Hague, May 2008 - On 13 September 2007, the United Nations General Assembly (UN GA) adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, with only four votes against this resolution. Though not a binding document, the adoption of this Declaration was seen as a huge step forward in the recognition of the rights of Indigenous Peoples. It stands, however, in stark contrast with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) 1989 Convention (No. 169) concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries, which has till this day only been signed and ratified by 19 Member states.

Indigenous peoples have throughout time suffered from marginalization, stigmatisation and discrimination, mostly by their colonizing power(s). Since the 1950s a greater understanding for the dire situation in which these indigenous peoples find themselves has taken over and specialized bodies have been created, for instance within the context of the United Nations, in order to effectively tackle the problems faced by indigenous peoples.

One example of such efforts is the 1989 Convention adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) concerning the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries. This Convention (No. 169) revised the outdated 1957 Convention on the same issue. Shockingly, however, till this very day, only 19 out of the 181 Member states of the ILO have signed and ratified this Convention, even though the Convention outlines a large number of rights which are perceived as normal to non-indigenous citizens.

Selectively granting groups their human rights consists of a grave breach of the universal right to freedom from discrimination. Therefore the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, on behalf of the undersigned:

Urges all Member States to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and in particular those states who also have European Union Membership, to sign and ratify the 1989 ILO Convention No. 169 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries;

Calls upon all Member States to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the international community at large to consult the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples concerned when considering legislative or administrative measures which may directly affect them, as has been laid down in Article 6 of the aforementioned Convention (No. 169);

Calls upon all Member States to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the international community at large to grant Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries ownership and possession over lands and natural resources which they traditionally occupy, as has been laid down in Article 14 of the aforementioned Convention (No. 169).

Please Sign the Petition