NEW YORK — The U.N. General Assembly is prepared to vote today on a declaration that would support the human rights of indigenous people — a document more than two decades in the making. But key nations, including the United
NEW YORK — The U.N. General Assembly is prepared to vote today on a declaration that would support the human rights of indigenous people — a document more than two decades in the making.
But key nations, including the United States, are poised to put up a fight.
If passed, the declaration supports the right of indigenous people to protect their land, resources, languages, economic development, education, rights to self-determination, hunting, fishing and sacred sites.
“It addresses the historic discrimination practiced by states. It’s never been done before,” said William David, a staff attorney for the Indian Law Resource Center.
“It’s one of the few times states have sat down with indigenous people to draft this and address rights currently not protected.”
On Wednesday, people from around the world bustled about the halls of the United Nations, providing a backdrop for the upcoming vote on the declaration, which has been deliberated and debated for more than 20 years.
The U.N. Human Rights Council adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in June 2006.
It was expected to go before the general assembly of 192 countries in May but was delayed when African nations asked for more time for deliberation.
The African countries are now proposing 34 amendments that would weaken key parts of the declaration, according to groups that support the document.
And the declaration faces opposition from countries with significant indigenous representation, including the U.S.
“The U.S. has always favored a strong and clear Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that is universal in its scope and capable of implementation,” Edgar Vasquez, a State Department spokesman, said Wednesday.
“Unfortunately, the declaration that will be considered this week by the U.N. General Assembly is neither clear nor is it capable of being implemented.”
The U.S. already promotes the rights of indigenous people worldwide, Vasquez said, through annual Human Rights Reports and by funding development projects involving indigenous communities.
It also provides opportunities for foreign indigenous leaders to come to the U.S. to meet federal government officials and tribal leaders to learn about indigenous rights.
“We recognize the grave challenges faced by indigenous peoples throughout the globe,” Vasquez said.
But the declaration, he said, “fails to provide a road map for harmonious and constructive relations and risks endless interpretations.”
If the general assembly adopts the declaration, it will provide a venue for indigenous people with complaints of discrimination by U.N. member states, David said.
The U.N. Human Rights Council would field reports about violation of the declaration.
“In the meantime, the Human Rights Council and other human rights bodies will likely consider the declaration as persuasive in their deliberations in country reports, investigations and petitions,” he said.
“And in time it may become a specific kind of international law known as customary international law.”
• Jodi Rave covers Native issues for Lee Enterprises. Reach her at (800) 366-7186 or jodi.rave@lee.net.
