UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted

Disappointment expressed in Canada's refusal to support declaration

Ottawa (14 Sept. 2007) - While international human rights organizations welcomed the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (see joint statement below) the decision of the Canadian government to vote against it is receiving wide criticism.

"I am deeply disappointed in the Harper government," said National Union President James Clancy. "This decision causes irreparable damage to Canada’s international reputation as a champion of Indigenous rights and human rights for all."

As in so many other instances, rather than carving out an independent foreign policy for Canada, the Harper government is simply adopting the radically conservative policies of US President George W. Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard. In fact, the only dissenting voices on this UN vote were Canada, New Zealand, the United States and Australia.

The non-binding declaration establishing global human rights standards for Indigenous populations, was approved on the afternoon of September 13 by the UN General Assembly in New York.

Canada's decision to vote against the declaration is contrary to it's position on the matter for more than a decade.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine pointed out that the federal government is violating Canada's legacy as a protector of human rights by opposing a declaration Canadians helped draft.

"In our view, it's a stain on Canada's reputation internationally," Fontaine told CBC News in an interview from New York.

"In this case, Canada is blowing against the very consistent position it has taken in the last few decades…. When they decided to go against the thing that they had supported for so long, it was inexplicable." NUPGE

Joint Statement by International Non-Governmental Organizations

International human rights organizations welcomed today’s decision by the United Nations General Assembly to adopt the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Declaration provides guidance on basic measures needed to ensure the dignity, survival and well-being of some of the worlds most impoverished and marginalized peoples.

The Declaration recognizes the rights of Indigenous peoples to the lands, territories and natural resources that are critical to their ways of life. The Declaration affirms that Indigenous peoples, like all peoples, have the right to self-determination.

Adoption of the Declaration sends a clear message to the international community that the rights of Indigenous peoples are not separate from or less than the rights of others, but are an integral and indispensable part of a human rights systems dedicated to the rights of all.

The Declaration was adopted by a vote of 143 out of 158 (4 against the adoption, and 11 abstentions). The vote was called by the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Declaration has been under development for more than two decades within the UN system. The Declaration was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council on 29 June 2006, and human rights organizations joined with Indigenous peoples in calling for its immediate adoption by the UN General Assembly. However, final adoption was delayed and further amendments were introduced to accommodate the concerns of some states.

We hope that all States will work in good faith to implement in their domestic law and practice this vitally important and long overdue human rights instrument.

These organizations call on all States to seize the historic opportunity presented by adoption of the Declaration to enter into a new relationship with Indigenous peoples based on a principled commitment to the protection of human rights.

Amnesty International

Friends World Committee for Consultation (Quakers)

International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)

International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH)

International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA)

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives

Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples (NCIV)

Rights & Democracy

More information:

• Communiqué from National Chief Phil Fontaine

• http://www.dd-rd.ca/site/media/index.php?id=2150&subsection=news

• Harper government’s rejection of native rights declaration disappointing