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Action Needed Now To End Abuse Of World's Indigenous Peoples

9 August 2004 - Media Release - The United Nations today marked the International Day of the World's Indigenous People with calls to governments, intergovernmental organizations and the international community at-large for urgent action to end the gross human rights abuses, discrimination and marginalization that all too often are still their lot in society.

"For far too long, indigenous peoples' lands have been taken away, their cultures denigrated or directly attacked, their languages and customs suppressed, their wisdom and traditional knowledge overlooked or exploited, and their sustainable ways of developing natural resources dismissed," Secretary-General Kofi Annan said.

"Some have even faced the threat of extinction," he added in a message observing the 10th anniversary of the Day, which was also marks the closing year of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People proclaimed by the UN General Assembly to raise awareness about the situation of indigenous people.

"Governments, intergovernmental organizations and civil society must work to empower indigenous peoples and ensure their participation in decisions that affect their lives," he declared.

The Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation of indigenous peoples of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Rodolfo Stavenhagen, voiced deep concern over continuing reports of gross violations against indigenous peoples worldwide.

"Despite the progress made over the past 10 years, at the national and international levels, indigenous peoples the world over continue to be among the most marginalized and dispossessed sectors of society, the victims of perennial prejudice and discrimination," he declared.

Mr. Stavenhagen noted the "brutal killing" just last week of an indigenous human rights activist in Colombia, Fredy Arias, allegedly by a member of a paramilitary group, and called on the Colombian Government to investigate this and other such violations and bring those responsible to justice without delay.

"Indigenous peoples are also the victims of other types of violations," he added. "In too many places they lack access to basic services and continue to suffer multiple forms of discrimination elsewhere. I call on Governments to make real progress on their commitment to improve the living and human rights conditions of indigenous peoples. Rhetoric must become a thing of the past; action is what is needed now."

Source: United Nations

Kofi Annan lauds rich indigenous cultures

August 9 2004 - Accra, GNA - UN Secretary-General Busumuru Kofi Annan has said that the time had come to commemorate the richness of indigenous cultures and the contribution of indigenous people in the world. He said it was a chance for men and women everywhere to take stock of the situation of indigenous people in the world and of how much more needs to be done to improve their lives.

This was contained in a statement issued by the United Nations Information Centre in Accra on Monday on the 10th Anniversary of the International Day of the World's Indigenous People.

Busumuru Annan noted that for far too long, indigenous peoples' lands had been taken away, their cultures denigrated or directly attacked, their languages and customs suppressed.

He said their wisdom and tradition had been overlooked or exploited, their sustainable ways of developing natural resources dismissed and some were even faced with the threat of extinction. Busumuru Annan noted that indigenous peoples had been coming to the United Nations for many years to appeal for the support of the whole UN family.

"A dialogue and partnership with the UN has been launched in the context of the International Decade. That process needs to bear fruit through decisive action at the regional, national and local level included to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

"In those efforts, governments, intergovernmental organizations and civil society must work to empower indigenous people and ensure their participation in decisions that affect their lives."

The UN Secretary-General said on the occasion of International Day of the World Indigenous People the world should remember the most fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter - peace, development and human rights.

He said the UN must reaffirm its determination to broaden the circle of solidarity for indigenous peoples so that these principles would be turned into practice for indigenous peoples everywhere.

Source: Ghana News Agency (GNA)

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