United Nations

Self determination enshrined over territorial integrity

admin — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:59:24 +0000

The United Nations Fourth Committee has rejected by a vote of 61 - 40 the attempt, made through a draft resolution at the last decolonization Committee of 24 seminar, to include a specific exclusion of territories affected by a sovereignty dispute, such as the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar, from the omnibus resolution that reaffirms inalienable right of self-determination of 11 territories.

An elected Legislative Council rules over the Falklands internal affairs.

The territories directly affected are American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena and Turks and Caicos Islands.

JAPAN: Recognize Ainu As Indigenous People

rains — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:18:52 +0000

TOKYO -- Japan on Friday moved to recognize the Ainu as an indigenous people, pledging to support the traditionally nature-worshipping community that has endured centuries of discrimination

It is a landmark move for Japan, which has prided itself on being ethnically homogeneous but where the Ainu have sharply lower incomes and educational levels, according AFP.

The upper house of parliament voted 231-0 to adopt the resolution on the Ainu. The lower house was expected to follow suit with a unanimous vote later in the day, parliament officials and lawmakers said.

Two Reports from the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)

rains — Sun, 11 May 2008 14:13:08 +0000

Two Reports from the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)

on TORTURE by Indonesian Security Forces

1) UN Committee against Torture begins Review of Report of Indonesia (6 May 2008)

2) UN Committee against Torture hears Response of Indonesia (7 May 2008)

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Some extracts from the Review & from the Indonesian response (for the FULL REPORT see below) :

“During his recent visit to Indonesia, the Special Rapporteur on Torture had noted that torture is routine in Indonesian police stations.”

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ VOICE SUPPRESSED AT UNITED NATIONS

rains — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:47:50 +0000

Rome, Feb. 14, 2008 - This morning Indigenous Peoples’ representatives formally withdrew from meeting of the Working Group on Protected Areas of the International Convention on Biological Diversity to protest their suppression of their effective participation at the meeting, being held at FAO headquarters in the Italian capital.

Native Peoples Score Historic Political Victory

admin — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:28:24 +0000

UNITED NATIONS, Sep 13 (IPS) - After 22 years of long and cumbersome negotiations, leaders of the world's 370 million indigenous people have won a powerful symbolic victory in their fight for recognition of the right to self-determination and control over their land and resources.

On Thursday, an overwhelming majority of the 192-member U.N. General Assembly said "yes" to a resolution calling for the adoption of the Universal Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Indonesia Improving On Human Rights!, But Stronger Steps Needed – UN Expert

admin — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:52:14 +0000

Human rights defenders in Indonesia’s province of West Papua continue to face torture, arbitrary detention and harassment from the country’s police, military and security forces, an independent United Nations expert said today after wrapping up a week-long visit to the Asian archipelago, which she said had also taken some positive steps in the legal realm.

Papuans greet UN envoy with rallies, demands

admin — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:25:41 +0000

Sat, 06/09/2007 - 08:51 — Jayapura , Hundreds of Papuans rallied Friday in Papua and West Papua provinces during a one-day visit by special representative of the UN Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders Hina Jilani. In both provinces, Jilani was greeted with rallies.
In Papua, the protesters, from the Coalition of Community Concern on Papua and the United Front of West Papua People's Fight, welcomed Jilani, while others called on her to "stop the genocide of the Papuans" and "stop the killing in West Papua".

UNPO Address to the UNPFII

admin — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:23:06 +0000

Fri, 05/25/2007 - 09:50 — In a joint statement to the Sixth Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), held from 14 to 25 May 2007 at the UN headquarters in New York, UNPO, its Members, and its partners, focuses on the environment and suggests 'Climate Change' as the thematic context of the Seventh Session.

UN Meets to Debate Rights of Indigenous Peoples

admin — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:07:28 +0000

A report on Sixth Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

A U. N. body committed to defending the rights of the world's over 370 million indigenous peoples meets later this month (May 14-25) in New York. Among the topics of discussion will be ways to increase international recognition of indigenous rights and to improve the participation of native peoples in their own development. From Washington, VOA reporter William Eagle looks at the upcoming Sixth UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

UN & NGOs call for an early adoption of the UNs Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the General Assembly.

admin — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:32:14 +0000

Chairperson of UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and Special Rapporteur appeal to Members States