Today, 11th February 2009 marks the 18th anniversary of the day UNPO was founded. It also marks the UNPO International Day of Action, a date upon which UNPO Members and associates confirm their commitment to overcoming the obstacles they have in common.

EES Declaration for the UNPO Day of Action 2009

Today, 11 February 2009 marks the 18th Anniversary of the founding of the UNPO and also therefore the annual UNPO International Day of Action. This year we mark the UNPO Day of Action with the launch of a new campaign called “Earth, Exploitation and Survival” which aims to raise awareness of the myriad of problems related to the environmental exploitation and degradation that many of our Members face on a daily basis.

This year is devoted to theme “Earth, Exploitation and Survival” (EES), to coincide with a year long campaign we are launching to raise awareness of the problems many of our indigenous Members face each and every day. Protection of the environment represents a special challenge to UNPO Members, as degradation and exploitation is often most severe in communities which suffer the additional costs of marginalisation and discrimination. Indigenous peoples around the world share an integral association with nature both economically and culturally. As such, our members often talk not of living “off” the land, but “with” the land. Any exploitation of natural resources present in their lands not only poses a threat to their local environment but is an affront to their culture and livelihoods. Despite this, many indigenous groups lack the voice and representation in domestic and international decision-making processes to protect and defend their resources, land rights and cultural heritage tied to their environment.

It is for this reason that this year’s UNPO Day of Action also marks the renewal of the campaign for wider ratification of the International Labour Organization Convention 169, Concerning Indigenous and tribal Peoples in Independent Countries. The Convention confers a wide catalogue of obligations on governments to coordinate systematic action to protect the rights of indigenous peoples but has been ratified by only 20 nations to date [February 2009].

We at the UNPO believe that solidarity and unity is important if progress in human rights is to be possible. We ask all our Members, associates and friends to read the ILO Convention 169, and to sign our petition for its wider ratification. It is this act of support and solidarity that is at the core of the UNPO Day of Action and we thank you for your continued support and interest in these issues.

Please click here for the Cordillera People’s Alliance Statement of Solidarity (PDF)

Please click here for the EES webpage.

Please click here for the EES Article of the Week.

Please click here for the text of the ILO Convention 169.

Please click here to sign our petition for the wider ratification of ILO Convention 169.