This Report just came from Rainy Blue Cloud of the International Forum on Globalization from the floor at the UN General Assembly

Dear Indigenous sisters and brothers, NGO partners and other friends,

I am very pleased to be writing to you directly from the General Assembly Hall at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City with this very special news:
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has just been adopted!

I am sitting with dozens of other Indigenous and NGO delegates who are celebrating this long-awaited moment.

The final vote was:

In favour: 14

Negative: 4 (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United States

Abstain: 11 (Colombia, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Ukraine, Samoa, Bhutan, Burundi, Georgia, Russian Federation, Kenya, Bangladesh)

Please find a press release below. You can find live and archived coverage of this event at: http://www.un.org/webcast

More information will follow soon, I am very happy to share this very joyful moment with all of you.

Read the press release and statement summaries after the jump…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

13 September 2007

U.N. General assembly adopts
U.N. Declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples

Declaration OVER 20 years in the making
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2007
General Assembly Sixty-first session, 107th plenary meeting
General Assembly Hall, United Nations, New York

New York, New York:
In an historic session of the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This Declaration, which outlines the basic rights and fundamental freedoms of the world’s Indigenous Peoples, has been in the making for nearly 25 years.

Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, indigenous Igarot activist from the Philippines and Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, stated: “The 13th of September 2007 will be remembered as an international human rights day for the Indigenous Peoples of the world, a day that the United Nations and its Member States, together with Indigenous Peoples, reconciled with past painful histories and decided to march into the future on the path of human rights.”

Tauli-Corpuz went on to say that she is committed to ensuring that the work of the Permanent Forum will remain dedicated to the implementation of the Declaration, and called upon nation-states to do the same: “Effective implementation of the Declaration will be the test of commitment of States and the whole international community to protect, respect and fulfill indigenous peoples collective and individual human rights. I call on governments, the UN system, Indigenous Peoples and civil society at large to rise to the historic task before us and make the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples a living document for the common future of humanity.”

Over 100 Indigenous leaders and representatives from around the world were present in the General Assembly during the debate and adoption of the Declaration. Although Declarations are usually adopted by consensus in the General Assembly, some states retained opposition to this human rights instrument and the governments of the United States, Australia and New Zealand called for a vote in order to register their dissent. Only four states voted against (these states with the addition of Canada), while 143 states voted in favor with 11 abstentions.

Despite the negative votes, the Declaration represents a significant achievement for both Indigenous peoples and nation-states. Les Malezer, Chair of the Global Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus, recognized the unique nature of this human rights document: “The Declaration does not represent solely the viewpoint of the United Nations, nor does it represent solely the viewpoint of the Indigenous Peoples. It is a Declaration which combines our views and interests and which sets the framework for the future. It is a tool for peace and justice, based upon mutual recognition and mutual respect.”

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine denounced this Canadian stance: “The Assembly of First Nations and other representatives of Indigenous peoples in Canada offered to work with the government to address the concerns it had and to come to a solution, but that offer was refused. Canada prides itself as a protector of human rights. It is a member of the UN Human Rights Council, yet it is disappointing today to see this government vote against recognizing the basic rights of Canada’s First Peoples. This is a stain on the country’s international reputation.”

Governmental and Indigenous representatives continue to make statements in support of the adoption of the Declaration. More information will follow.

– END —

Explanatory statements by the negative votes within the General Assembly session:

Peru had the honor of introducing the resolution to adopt the Declaration, presented by Ambassador Mr. Luis-Enrique Chávez, also citing the importance of a new relationship between nation-states and Indigenous Peoples.

The government of Australia registered their negative vote, stating their objection to language in the Declaration regarding the concepts of self-determination; lands, territories and resources; and free, prior and informed consent, among others. They also rejected the idea that the Declaration represents an international human rights standard, regardless of its adoption, and regardless of whether it is a legally binding treaty or an aspirational document.

The government of Canada registered their negative vote and stated they were committed to working for Indigenous peoples’ rights, both internationally and domestically. They also expressed opposition to self-determination; lands, territories and resources; and free, prior and informed consent, which they fear can be used as a veto of state decisions.

The government of New Zealand registered their negative vote with specific reference to Articles 26, 28, 19 & 32 of the Declaration, that address lands and resources; redress; and free, prior and informed consent, respectively. New Zealand also claimed that free, prior and informed consent could be used as a right of veto over governmental projects.

The United States of America also made a statement regarding their negative vote.