With one week remaining in negotiations, a coalition of indigenous peoples created a furor over refusing food if the governments would not negotiate in good faith and if the chair insisted on drafting a chair consolidated text paper instead of recognizing the original text of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples passed by the UN Sub- Commission.

The hunger strike and spiritual fast inside the UN Palais des Nations was launched in the opening hour of the 10th session spearheaded by the International Indian Treaty Council. The group denounced the continued efforts by governments such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States to weaken and undermine the Draft Declaration

The protestors demanded a recognition of the original text. 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. The indigenous movement around the world called 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.

As Andrea Carmen noted, "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."

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;
and Saul Vicente, Zapoteca, Mexico.

Beyond the protest, there was plenty of participatory dialogue among the over 300 delegates. The opening day of the meeting focused on the right of self-determination with indigenous delegates and government representatives continuing the exchange of ideas based on the proposals made in September that illustrated progress to recognize article three recognized as the heart of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The dialogue continued into the afternoon session wrapping up with facilitators from indigenous peoples and governments agreeing to assist the chair in drafting the agreements reached among the delegates.

At the conclusion of the first day of the five day meeting, the focus o the discussion was on Article 25 and 26 focusing on land, territories and natural resources.

At the Indigenous Peoples Caucus, Andrea Carmen, noted the results of the peaceful protest. Carmen said, "We had an immediate impact. We have letters of support from around the world."

The impetus for the nonviolent direct action was to make sure the voices of indigenous peoples are heard in the halls of decision-making at the United Nations.

The 10th meeting will continue with discussions on the rights of land, territories and natural resources with adequate time for negotiations on possible provisional adoption of various articles. There will also be parallel meetings with facilitators encouraging participants to move closer in agreement for the final opportunity before reporting to the Commission on Human Rights in March, April 2005.

RELATED STORIES

UNPO expresses solidarity with indigenous hunger-strikers