And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
NETWARRIORS FRONTLINE REPORTS
17th WGIP 7/28/99
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Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization
Monitor Working Group on Indigenous Populations
17th Session 26 July 30 July
15: Chair Mrs. E. Daes: Gave the floor to Xiong Chuhu/ Hmong International
Human Rights Watch
16: Xiong Chuhu/ Hmong Internatioal Human Rights Watch: Stated that
instances of genocide of the Hmong still continues in Laos in the jungles
of the Phou Bian mountain and the surrounding countries though the Vietnam
War ended nearly 25 years ago. He highlighted that no observers or
international monitors had been allowed into this area in the past 25
years. He further stated that in 1975, the newly formed Lao People's
Democratic Party (LPDR) instituted a renaming process of the area and
designated it a Saysomboun Special Zone. Displaced Hmong have been attacked
with over 40,000 killed and another 60,000 displaced into the jungles.
Presently, over 10,000 are hiding in the mountains waiting for the killing
to end. Since 1979, there have been a series of attacks on Hmong people,
including in June 1990 and February 1998. Three military camps have been
set up in the region. Arable land used as rice fields has been turned into
mine fields. Mr. Xiong Chuhu requested that UN monitors and Hmong
International HR watch be granted free access to this area. He stressed the
importance of the UN in helping to foster a dialogue with the Lao
governement in order to open up the Saysomboun Special Zone - to properly
address this area. He further noted that there were frequent instances of
discrimination of Hmong businessmen who experienced difficulty setting up
businesses. He underlined that there had also been instances of
discrimination in Lao politics: Hmong politicians were often discriminated
against and there had been cases where they had been tortured, killed or
forced to step down from the government. He gave as an example the name of
Hmong official Boua Chong Lee, currently being held in a Lao prison.
17: Chair Mrs. E. Daes: Gave the floor to Andria Agli/ Bristol Bay Native
Corporation Representative
18: Andria Agli/ Bristol Bay Native Corporation Representative Andria Agli/
Bristol Bay Native Corporation Representative, Alaska: Spoke about
subsistence and why it was important for the native people of the village
of South Naknek and all Alaska Natives. She underlined the cultural,
linguistic and dietary diversity of the various native tribes of Alaska as
well as the importance of this lifestyle for nourishing the hearts as well
as the minds of all the Alaska natives. She highlighted the fact that this
loss of aboriginal hunting and fishing rights in the 1970s had greatly
affected this lifestyle. She explained the complexity of the issue: the
Federal and State government cannot agree on it. In 1980, the United States
Congress granted a subsistence preference for rural Alaskans under the
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. In 1989, the Alaska
Supreme Court ruled that a state law giving preference was not allowed
under the state constitution. For years, native Alaskans have been urging
the State of Alaska to obey the federal law and to give preference to fish
and game when there are shortages. Urban hunters do not agree and request
equal access to land. She further underlined issue of food price in Alaska
and that therefore native Alaskans would defy the law to keep their
families and culture alive by hunting. She believes that this is their
human right.
19: Chair Mrs. E. Daes: Gave the floor to Silvia Avila Seifert/ the
Bolivian Observer government representative
20. Silvia Avila Seifert/Observer Government of Bolivia: Described the
efforts being undertaken in Bolivia to better address the issue of the
respect of I rights. She mentioned in details the respective articles of
the constitution dealing with the question, and highlighted the fact that
the Bolivian policy was not one of homogenising, but rather one of
development with identity. She discussed also the constitutional articles
relative to land rights. She explained that the Bolivian government was
seeking to involve IP in political fora, and gave the example of the
availability of I translators in dispute settlement mechanisms. She
stressed that individual HR were applicable to all Bolivian citizens. She
further mentioned Bolivian legislation on fairness and innovation related
to biodiversity issues, and lastly addressed the issue of cultural
identity. In particular, she stressed that intercultural and multi-lingual
education was to be made available for IP and that the Education Council
was responsible for ensuring the implementation of these policies. She also
mentioned that the Minister of Indigenous Affairs was available to give
expert advice on all issues pertaining to IP.
21: Chair Mrs. E. Daes: Gave the floor to Willy Littlechild
Q.C./International Organisation of Indigenous Resource Development
22: Willy Littlechild Q.C./International Organisation of Indigenous
Resource Development: Made three main recommendations: 1)That the working
group encourage the OAS to ensure the Inter American Commission of the
Americas, the Indigenous leaders and experts to be invited to be full and
equal members of the OAS working group; to accept again the term
"Indigenous Peoples" throughot the declarationand to pursue a Permanent
Forum within the OAS Permanent Council. 2)that some specific and increased
positive action to improve the lives of IP, and especially to alleviate
poverty, be recommended and directed to indigenous peoples by state members
and Indigenous governments. This is important because the Convention on the
Rights of the Child makes specific mention of IP. 3)That the situation of
Indigenous war veterans be given special reference as part of the
Chairperson's report on IP and their relationship to the Land, Territories
and Resources.
23: Chair Mrs. E. Daes: Gave the floor to Mr John Abnego/ Chairman of the
Torres Strait Regional Authority.
24: Mr John Abnego/ Chairman of the Torres Strait Regional Authority: He
noted that since last year's conference in Geneva, there had been an
improvement in living standards, health and recognition of business
development in the Torres Strait region. This had provided inspiration and
renewed vigour. There still is need for greater autonomy. Representatives
from communities had discussed and set up a task force to ensure input of
all people in decission making. Much had changed with Queensland and the
Australian government. A body had been created with greater powers which is
able to deal with both governments neithert had so far opposed their
autonomy. Their relation with the sea is very strong. In this respect Eddie
Amrble paved the way for native title over Moor Island. The Australian
government now recognised thair native land titles. The Native title
office, funded by TSI , had secured recognition of the native title to Sibi
Island through their representation. These were exciting achievments that
gave fresh hope. He acknowledged the government for their increased budget.
Last October a 30 million dollar agreement was signed for a 3 year program.
The program aims at improving the living conditions of our people. Health
standards were still poor and required full cooperation of the Queensland
and Australian government. They had signed an agreeement to improve health
and environment policies. The emphasis was put on good standard of living
and self government with cooperation in the new millenium
25: Chair Mrs. E. Daes: Gave the floor to Francis Tapim/ Torres Strait
Islander Organisation Limited
26: Francis Tapim/ Tbe Torres Strait Islander Organisation Limited:
National Secretariats represents the interests of Torres Strait islanders
on the mainland of Australia representing about 11% of the Indigenous
Population. Most of these people have relocated for social educational or
economical reasons. Some have been moved by past government policies. The
Torres Strait Islanders suffer the effect from being away from their
families and the sea. The recognition of the community has come since the
High Courts decision to recognize their native title rights. It has meant
an important step towards developing a basis for self determenation and
managing their own affairs. They have created initiatives to ensure the
continued existence of their language and culture. While significant gains
have been made much still needs to be done. Recognition of the rights of
Torres Strait Islanders on the mainland must be recognised. Australia will
not be united if discrimination is allowed to prevail.
27: Chair Mrs. E. Daes: Gave the floor to Eero J. Aanio/ Observer
government of Finland, and thanked the Finnish government for its
contribution to the rights of IP.
28: Eero J. Aanio/ Observer government of Finland: Stated that the Finnish
government had declared the rights of indigenous peoples as one of the
keypoints of the Finnish Human Rights policy. They are happy for the
progress achieved in the process towards the Permanent Forum for Indigenous
Peoples. There is a real need for an established and strengthend
cooperation in the sphere of the United Nations between indigenous people
all over the world. They urged the finalization of the Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples as soon as possible after the mid-point the
Decade of the World's Indigenous People. The Finnish government stated that
they were ready to cooperate with every group concerned to accelerate the
process towards the final text. He indicated that more comprehensive
information on the rights of Saami people would be given under item 5 on
the agenda.
29: Chair Mrs. E. Daes: Gave the floor to Mr Alexis Tiouka/ Representant of
the Federation des Organisations Amerindiennes de Guyane.
30: Mr Alexis Tiouka/ Representat of the Federation des Organisations
Amerindiennes de Guyane: Stated that in France, five years after the
beginning of the international decade of indigenous people, the situation
of French indigenous had not improved. He focussed especially on Guyana in
South-America, where he felt little progress had been made despite the
speeches of the President and the government. They have always to face
Discrimination in exercising rights of peoples, especially in rights to
land. Their rights are still not being recognised by the government despite
their revendications. State refuses restitution of their ancestral lands.
It ignores their cultures and language. The French educational system
denies their cultural specificity. Decisions are taken without their
participation which is necessary in democratic country. Their fight is to
live according to their principles which is difficult because they do not
master the legal tools of a country like France. France should recognise
the harm done to their peoples and take into account their specificity as
they were the first inhabitants of Guyana.
The Power of Peace
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GLOBAL INDIGENOUS MEDIA IN ACTION
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Peace without Truth is Genocide
Una Paz sin la Verdad es Genocidio
La paix sans la verite est Genocide
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Reprinted under the Fair Use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
doctrine of international copyright law.
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Unenh onhwa' Awayaton
http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/
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