UN Human Rights Council adopts the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Press release 209/2006
29 June, 2006
In its first session, held on 29 June, the new Human Rights Council of the United Nations adopted two important documents: the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and a draft for the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Both still need to be approved by the UN General Assembly.
Thirty countries, Finland included, voted in favour of adopting the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples while Canada and the Russian Federation voted against it and twelve countries abstained. Adoption of the Declaration is a major achievement, the outcome of negotiations that have been under way for more than a decade. Also significant is the fact that many indigenous peoples’ organisations took part in the preparations, on an equal standing with nations.
The EU supported adoption of the Declaration. Anne Nuorgam, Vice President of the Sami Parliament in Finland, delivered a speech on the Declaration on behalf of the Nordic countries and Estonia. The indigenous peoples of the Nordic countries have supported the Declaration and stress its importance in furthering the rights of indigenous peoples. The Sami Parliament is satisfied with the result and hopes that the UN General Assembly will also approve the Declaration.
Above all, the Declaration is a political document; governments and indigenous peoples should work together in cooperation to realise the goals it sets. It strengthens indigenous peoples’ participation in decision-making and emphasises partnership and mutual trust.
Among other things, the Declaration states the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination and self-government in matters pertaining to their internal and local affairs. Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and reinforce their own political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions. They may not be assimilated into the majority population by force, nor may they be forced off their lands. The children of indigenous peoples may not be transferred to another group by force. States shall cooperate with indigenous peoples through their institutions, in a spirit of sincerity, with a view to obtaining advance approval before legal or administrative measures affecting indigenous peoples are taken.
On Thursday the Human Rights Council also adopted a draft for the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The Convention defines arrests, enforced disappearance and other detainments the consequence of which is a lack of information concerning the victim’s fate to be a crime and, in extreme cases, a crime against humanity.
The Human Rights Council was established in spring by a resolution of the UN General Assembly. Finland was elected to the Council in May. The Human Rights Council has representatives from 47 countries.
Additional information: Director Johanna Suurpää, Unit for Human Rights Policy, mobile tel. +358 40 724 0287