Dec 01, 2004

Society for Threatened People Press Release on Indigenous People Hunger Strike


We observe with great concern that the Draft Declaration developed in the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations and adopted by the UN Sub Commission for the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities in 1994 is weakened and underm
Untitled Document


To whom it may concern


We observe with great concern that the Draft Declaration developed in the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations and adopted by the UN Sub Commission for the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities in 1994 is weakened and undermined by various Nation States.

We are in full support to the request of the World's Indigenous Peoples, to adopt the original text of the UN Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The process must take into account the voices of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, therefore Mr. Luis Chavez, the Chairman Rapporteur of the Working Group should not present a “consolidated text” as if it was “close to consensus.”

The hunger strike is a clear statement of the World's Indigenous Peoples desperation- as to how the Draft Declaration is being reversed beyond any possibility with which to give at least "minimum standards" required for the recognition and protection of Indigenous Peoples' rights internationally.

We thank the High Commissioner on Human Rights of the UN, Mrs. Louise Arbourso, for arranging a meeting between her representative and the hunger strikers, so that the CHR could be informed of the concerns of the Indigenous Peoples directly.

Kofi Annan's statement on the 3rd Session of the UN PFII, that one of the highest priorities of the UN is "partnership in action" with Indigenous Peoples must be implemented in the UN Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by acknowledging their fundamental needs and
rights to survive as peoples.

We also request that the Secretariat arrange for the hunger strikers to be able to remain in the UN building during the entire week of the session.


Thank you very much for any efforts


Sincerely

Yvonne Bangert, Indigenous Peoples Department, GfbV-Germany

Rebecca Sommer, Representative to the UN, Indigenous Peoples Department, GfbV - USA
[email protected]

[email protected]
Tel.: +49/551/49906-0
Fax: +49/551/58028
P.O.Box 2024
D-37010 Göttingen Göttingen, Dec. 1, 2004