Un Press Release: World Conference on Indigenous Peoples 2014

General Assembly Will Hold ‘World Conference on Indigenous Peoples’ in 2014,
Under Terms of Resolution Recommended by Third Committee [A/C.3/65/L.22/Rev.1]

Also Approves Five Other Texts on Extrajudicial Executions, Leprosy, United Nations Refugee High Commissioner, Practices Fueling Racism, Globalization

Concerned about the extreme social and economic disadvantages that indigenous peoples have faced, the Third Committee approved a draft resolution today that would have the General Assembly organize a high-level plenary meeting in 2014 — to be known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in 2014 -- to share perspectives and best practices on the realization of indigenous peoples’ rights.

Approved without a vote, the document would invite the President of the General Assembly to determine the modalities for the high-level meeting, including indigenous peoples’ participation at the Conference, through open-ended consultations with Member States, indigenous people’s representatives in the framework of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples.

The Assembly would also expand the mandate of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations, so that it could assist representatives of indigenous peoples’ organizations and communities to participate in sessions of the Human Rights Council and human rights treaty bodies.

UN Third Committee agenda documents for 65 Session

There are a number of documents submitted to the Third Committee to accompany the 65th Session Agenda of interest to the issues of indigenous peoples. The full list is at this URL: http://www.un.org/en/ga/third/65/documentslist.shtml. Some selected ones are listed below:

♦ ITEM 65: Indigenous issues:

(a) Indigenous issues

* A/65/163 [F] [S] [A] [C] [R]
Note by the Secretary-General on the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations

* A/65/264 [F] [S] [A] [C] [R]
Report of the Secretary-General transmitting the interim report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people

(b) Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People

* A/65/166 [F] [S] [A] [C] [R]
Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people
♦ ITEM 66: Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance:

(a) Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance

* A/65/292 [F] [S] [A] [C] [R]
Report of the Secretary-General on the status of the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination

* A/65/312 [F] [S] [A] [C] [R]
Report of the Secretary-General on the financial situation of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

* A/64/18 [F] [S] [A] [C] [R]
Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on its seventy-fourth and seventy-fifth sessions

* A/65/18(Supp) [F] [S] [A] [C] [R]
Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on its seventy-sixth and seventy-seven sessions

* A/65/323 [F] [S] [A] [C] [R]
Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance


(b) Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

* A/65/377 [F] [S] [A] [C] [R]
Report of the Secretary-General on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance

* A/65/295 [F] [S] [A] [C] [R]
Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the interim report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance


♦ ITEM 67: Right of peoples to self-determination

* A/65/286 [F] [S] [A] [C] [R]
Report of the Secretary-General on the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination

* A/65/325 [F] [S] [A] [C] [R]
Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination

Canada Endorses the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Ref. #2-3429

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, November 12, 2010 – The Government of Canada today formally endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in a manner fully consistent with Canada's Constitution and laws. Canada's Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr. John McNee, met with the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Joseph Deiss, to advise him of Canada's official endorsement of the United Nations Declaration.

"We understand and respect the importance of this United Nations Declaration to Indigenous peoples in Canada and worldwide," said the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-status Indians. "Canada has endorsed the Declaration to further reconcile and strengthen our relationship with Aboriginal peoples in Canada."

"Canada is committed to promoting and protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs. "Canada's active involvement abroad, coupled with its productive partnership with Aboriginal Canadians, is having a real impact in advancing indigenous rights at home and abroad."

Continues at http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ai/mr/nr/s-d2010/23429-eng.asp

National American Indian Heritage Month

National American Indian Heritage Month

Overview

National American Indian Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the accomplishments of the peoples who were the original inhabitants, explorers and settlers of the United States.

“National American Indian Heritage Month” had its origins in 1986 when Congress passed Pub. L. 99-471 (PDF, 93 KB) which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week of November 23-30, 1986 as “American Indian Week.” As directed by Congress, President Reagan issued Presidential Proclamation 5577 in November 1986 proclaiming the first American Indian Week. Both law and proclamation recognized the American Indians as the first inhabitants of the lands that now constitute the United States as well as making mention of their contributions to American society:

Many of the foods we eat and the medicines and remedies we use were introduced by Indians and more than one highway follows an Indian trail. Indians make contributions in every area of endeavor and American life, and our literature and all our arts draw upon Indian themes and wisdom. Countless American Indians have served in our Armed Forces and have fought valiantly for our country.

Continued at http://www.loc.gov/law/help/commemorative-observations/american-indian.php

PLoS: Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? Three Viewpoints

In 2008, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Paul Hunt, made a report to the UN General Assembly (11 August 2008) The Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health: Report of the Special Rapporteur, Paul Hunt. U.N. General Assembly, 63rd Session, Agenda Item 67(b). U.N. Doc. A/63/263. See, http://www.essex.ac.uk/human_rights_cent​re/research/rth/index.aspx

In September 2010, PLoS Medicine published the following Debate on drug companies and their human rights obligations.

Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? Three Viewpoints

In September 2010, the PLoS Medicine Debate asks whether drug companies are living up to their human rights responsibilities. Sofia Gruskin and Zyde Raad from the Harvard School of Public Health say more assessment is needed of such responsibilities; Geralyn Ritter, Vice President of Global Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility at Merck & Co. argues that multiple stakeholders could do more to help States deliver the right to health; and Paul Hunt and Rajat Khosla introduce Mr. Hunt's work as the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health (2002-2008), regarding the human rights responsibilities of pharmaceutical companies and access to medicines.


In their accompanying editorial, the PLoS Medicine Editors argue that drug companies should be held much more accountable for their human rights responsibilities.

Editorial

Drug Companies Should Be Held More Accountable for Their Human Rights Responsibilities

PLoS Hub for Clinical Trials, PLoS Medicine:
Published 28 Sep 2010 | info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000344

The PLoS Medicine Debates

• Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? Moving Toward Assessment
  
  Sofia Gruskin, Zyde Raad
  
  PLoS Hub for Clinical Trials, PLoS Medicine:
  Published 28 Sep 2010 | info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000310
  
  
• Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? The Merck Perspective
  
  Geralyn S. Ritter
  
  PLoS Hub for Clinical Trials, PLoS Medicine:
  Published 28 Sep 2010 | info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000343
  
  
• Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? The Perspective of the Former United Nations Special Rapporteur (2002-2008)
  
  Paul Hunt, Rajat Khosla
  
  PLoS Hub for Clinical Trials, PLoS Medicine:
  Published 28 Sep 2010 | info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000330