UNHCHR on Treaty Obligations to Indigenous People

UN rights chief Navi Pillay urges States to do more to respect treaties with indigenous peoples

GENEVA (07 August 2013) –States need to do more to honour and strengthen their treaties with indigenous peoples, no matter how long ago they were signed, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay has said in a statement to mark International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on 9 August.

“Even when signed or otherwise agreed more than a century ago, many treaties remain the cornerstone for the protection of the identity, land and customs of indigenous peoples, determining the relationship they have with the State. They are thus of major significance to human rights today,” she said.

Treaties often marked a decisive step in ending a period of conflict, exploitation and expropriation, the High Commissioner noted.

“The honouring of treaties has in many cases been described as a sacred undertaking requiring good faith by each party for their proper enforcement. Yet too often indigenous communities are obliged to go to the courts to force States to live up to their promises,” she added.

Continued here http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13610&LangID=E

International Day of the World's Indigenous People, 9 August 2013

2013 Theme: "Indigenous peoples building alliances: Honouring treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements" The International Day of the World's Indigenous People (9 August) was first proclaimed by the General Assembly in December 1994, to be celebrated every year during the first International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995 – 2004). In 2004, the Assembly proclaimed a Second International Decade, from 2005 – 2014, with the theme of "A Decade for Action and Dignity." The focus of this year's International Day is "Indigenous peoples building alliances: Honouring treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements." Continued here: http://www.un.org/en/events/indigenousday/

United Nations World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, September 22-23, 2014

In accord with resolution A/C.3/65/L.22/Rev.1 a high-level plenary meeting of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, to be known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP), assembles on Monday, September 22 and Tuesday, September 23, 2014, at the UN headquarters in New York, U.S.

The International Work Group on Indigenous Affairs has a website for the World Conference, http://wcip2014.org/

A preparatory conference was held in Alta, Norway, see http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/hr5145.doc.htm

Exposure Draft of Guide for Business on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights – Call for Comments

Several years ago the UN started the Global Compact as an initiative to engage with global business. In December 2012 it released a Exposure Draft of the Business Reference Guide on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (“UNDRIP”) It has now issued a Call for Comments.

Indigenous Peoples’ Rights

Exposure Draft of Guide for Business on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights – Call for Comments

The UN Global Compact has released for comment the exposure draft of the Business Reference Guide on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (“UNDRIP”). The exposure draft is open for public comment and consultation until 1 June 2013.

• Download the Exposure Draft of the UNDRIP: Business Reference Guide: English
• Participate in a consultation webinar: 27 February | 9 April | 17 Abril (Español) | 30 April
• Read the media release.

All interested people are invited to submit comments on the exposure draft to undrip@unglobalcompact.org. If you would like to share your comments publicly, please post them to the dedicated discussion thread at the Human Rights and Business Dilemmas Forum. All submissions received will be considered for incorporation into the Guide.

Links to all the above are here.

Human Rights Day, 10 December 2012

Human Rights Day, 10 December

Human Rights Day presents an opportunity, every year, to celebrate human rights, highlight a specific issue, and advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights by everyone everywhere.

This year, the spotlight is on the rights of all people — women, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, the poor and marginalized — to make their voices heard in public life and be included in political decision-making.

These human rights — the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, to peaceful assembly and association, and to take part in government (articles 19, 20 and 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) have been at the centre of the historic changes in the Arab world over the past two years, in which millions have taken to the streets to demand change. In other parts of the world, the “99%” made their voices heard through the global Occupy movement protesting economic, political and social inequality.

Indian Status in Canada

A good post on Indian Status in Canada: Got Status? Indian Status in Canada Sort of Explained

Google supports Endangered Languages

Google has established an Endangered Languages project at http://www.endangeredlanguages.com/

About this project

The Endangered Languages Project, is an online resource to record, access, and share samples of and research on endangered languages, as well as to share advice and best practices for those working to document or strengthen languages under threat.

Update: Research Guide on Indigenous Peoples International Law

Christopher Dykes of the University of Houston Law Library has updated his Research Guide on Indigenous Peoples International Law on the GlobaLex site at New York University's web site.

9 August 2012: International Day of the World's Indigenous People

The focus of this year’s International Day is "Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices".

The theme aims to highlight the importance of indigenous media in challenging stereotypes, forging indigenous peoples' identities, communicating with the outside world, and influencing the social and political agenda.

A special event at UN Headquarters in New York on 9 August will feature speakers and videos of indigenous media organizations, with a live webcast. On Twitter, use #UNIndigenousDay for regular updates and for sending questions to panel members in the days leading up to and during the event.
Download the press release and programme

International Women's Day 2012 was 8 March

UNESCO sponsored activities for International Women's Day:
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/themes/gender-equality/features/international-womens-day-2012/

It also issued The World Atlas of Gender Equality in Education which details women's educational activities throughout the world.  While not specifically addressing indigenous or ethnic minorities it does give regional and country education statistics of interest.

This page links to major events held: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/womens-day/