THIRD COMMITTEE TURNS TO ISSUE OF WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Fifty-Fifth General Assembly
Third Committee
24th Meeting (PM)
16 October 2000



Draft Texts Introduced on Traffic in Woman, Girls; Elimination of Discrimination against Women; Status of Women in UN System.

True reconciliation between governments and first peoples could be achieved only with practical outcomes that improved the living standards of the disadvantaged, the representative of Australia said, as the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to begin considering the programme of activities of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1994-2004).

He said his country, like many, was confronting a colonial past and a legacy of social and economic disadvantage faced by indigenous peoples. Australia’s approach was based on the principle that its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should have greater opportunities to control their affairs and make decisions on issues affecting them. Australia had expressed its regret over the past and now backed up its words with actions. The disadvantage of indigenous people was a wasted opportunity for the States of which they were part, given their contribution to socio-economic, cultural and environmental development.

The representative of New Zealand said her country was delivering practical outcomes for its indigenous people, primarily by strengthening the capacity of the Maori to develop and attain their own goals. Also, major human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women were being translated into the Maori language to make them more accessible.

The representative of Denmark, speaking on behalf of the Nordic countries, said the establishment of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was an historic step forward. However, the drafting of a declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples would turn their aspirations into real rights.

Bacre Waly Ndiaye, New York Office Director, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the International Decade had raised expectations worldwide. The Forum would be a major contribution to United Nations policy-making for carrying out the Decade's proclamation.

The representative of the Philippines introduced a draft resolution on traffic in women and girls. The representative of Canada introduced one on the status of women in the United Nations system. The representative of Denmark introduced a draft text on the Convention to eliminate discrimination against women.

Also speaking this afternoon were the representatives of the Russian Federation and Mexico.

The Committee will meet again at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 17 October, to continue considering the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People.


Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to begin considering the programme of activities of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1994-2004).

The Committee has before it two reports by the Secretary-General, one on the implementation of the programme and one on the status of the Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations.

The Secretary-General's report on implementing the activities for the Decade (document A/55/268) summarizes the activities undertaken by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights with regard to the International Decade of Indigenous People. The report states that indigenous issues are attracting increased interest from governments. At its fifty-sixth session from 20 March to 28 April, the Commission on Human Rights considered a number of pertinent issues, including the report of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations on a draft resolution on the rights of indigenous people, the report of the Working Group on a permanent forum for indigenous people, and activities undertaken within the framework of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People. Resolutions were passed on all those issues.

The report states that a highlight of the Commission's fifty-sixth session was the decision to recommend that the Economic and Social Council establish a permanent forum for indigenous issues. Subsequently, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was set up as an advisory body with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues relating to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights. The Forum will be composed of 16 members, eight of whom are to be nominated by governments and elected by the Council and eight of whom are to be appointed by the Council President. The Forum will report to the Council.

Further, the report states that the International Day of the World's Indigenous People has been designated to be 7 August. However, the United Nations Office in Geneva organized a celebration during the session of the Working Group to take advantage of the many indigenous people present. The celebration took place on 27 July and consisted of cultural presentations from various indigenous populations around the world. The event was organized by indigenous fellows who had taken part in the six-month indigenous fellowship programme in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. That fellowship programme was established in 1997, and since that time, four indigenous persons have spent six months each year in a training course on human rights, which also includes modules in many United Nations agencies. Candidates from Bangladesh, Rwanda, Nepal and Canada are currently participating in the programme.

According to the report, efforts are being made to integrate indigenous issues into the technical cooperation programmes administered by the Office of the High Commissioner. At present, technical cooperation programmes in Bolivia, Ecuador and Guatemala include specific activities that benefit indigenous people. Discussions are under way to include an indigenous component in technical cooperation programmes in Mexico. The report lists activities of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations and of the Trust Fund for the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, which fund projects and programmes during the decade. Thanks to contributions made by regular and new donors, sufficient funds were raised in 1999 to fund all 24 Trust Fund projects, amounting to $232,000. The cost of the plan for 2001 amounts to a total of $400,000 for project grants to indigenous organizations and communities, as well as for workshops and seminars.

The Secretary-General's report on the status of the Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations (document A/55/202) recalls the Fund's mandate to assist representatives of indigenous groups to participate in the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights by providing financial assistance funded through voluntary contributions. The Fund also assists those representatives to participate in deliberations of two open-ended inter-sessional ad hoc working groups of the Commission on Human Rights, one on a draft declaration on the rights of indigenous people, and the other on a possible permanent forum for indigenous people.

The report summarizes the Fund's administrative Board meetings of 1999 and the present year, both held in Geneva during April. The report states that totals of $281,645 and $244,078 had been received in the respective one-year periods prior to the Board meetings, with additional pledges registered. A total of 220 and 119 applications were reviewed respectively for assistance to attend the Working Group, while 20 and 36 were reviewed respectively for assistance to participate in the draft declaration working group. During 1999, 62 grants were approved for the Working Group and 14 for the draft declaration working group. This year, 66 and 27 grants were approved for those same purposes. A total of $306,440 was approved for disbursement in 1999, while $265,200 was recommended for disbursement in 2000. In addition, Funds were set aside for assisting representatives to attend a possible meeting on a permanent forum in 2001, pending adoption of a resolution by the General Assembly.

The report notes the Board was able to recommend an increased number of grants this year because of new contributions and applications. Also, the number of grants approved had increased since the International Decade began in 1994. Fund-raising activities are described. An annex lists the criteria for selection of grant beneficiaries. Another annex lists the beneficiaries while two more present graphic presentations of grants approved from 1995 to the present.

Draft resolutions

In addition to those reports, the Committee has before it a number of resolutions expected to be introduced. By terms of a 34-power draft resolution on traffic in women and girls (document A/C.3/55/L.12), the Assembly would urge governments to address the root factors, including external ones, that encourage trafficking in women and girls for prostitution and other forms of commercialized sex, or for forced marriage or labour. Governments would be urged to eliminate trafficking in women, including by strengthening legislation to protect victims and punish perpetrators. They would also be urged to work up a comprehensive anti-trafficking strategy that included legislative measures, prevention campaigns, information exchange, assistance and protection as well as prosecution provisions. Governments would be urged to allocate resources for programmes and to strengthen preventive actions and national programmes through bilateral, regional and international cooperation. Stressing the need for a global approach to eradicate the practice, the Assembly would encourage data collection and sharing, including through the Secretary-General.

The draft is sponsored by Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Myanmar, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

By a 38-power draft resolution on improving the status of women in the United Nations system (document A/C.3/55/L.14), the Assembly would strongly request the Secretary-General to appoint more women as special representatives and envoys to pursue good offices on his behalf, especially in matters relating to peacekeeping, peace-building, preventive diplomacy, and economic and social development, as well as appoint more women to other high-level positions. It would further request the Secretary-General to develop innovative recruitment strategies to attract suitably qualified women candidates, particularly in developing countries, countries with economies in transition and other Member States where women are unrepresented or under-represented in the Secretariat and in occupations where women are under-represented. The Assembly would also request the Secretary-General to intensify efforts to create a gender-sensitive work environment, supportive of the needs of both men and women, and to strengthen further policy against harassment. It further requests close monitoring of the progress made by departments and offices in meeting the goal of 50/50 gender distribution.

Further to the draft, the Assembly would strongly encourage Member States to support the efforts of the United Nations and specialized agencies to achieve the goal of 50/50 gender distribution, especially at the D-1 level and above, by identifying and regularly submitting more women candidates for appointment to intergovernmental, judicial and expert bodies; andencouraging more women to apply for positions within the Secretariat, specialized agencies, funds, programmes and regional commissions of the United Nations system. It would also request Member States to identify women candidates for assignment to peace-building missions and to improve the representation of women in military and civilian police contingents. It would also encourage States to appoint suitably qualified women permanent representatives to United Nations missions and heads of delegations dealing with major economic, social, security, human rights and humanitarian issues.

The draft is sponsored by Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, San Marino, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, Macedonia, and the United Kingdom.

By a 60-power draft resolution on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (document A/C.3/55/L.15) the General Assembly would express disappointment that the universal ratification of the Convention had not been met by the year 2000 and would, therefore, urge all States that have not yet ratified or acceded to the Convention to do so. The Assembly would also urge parties to consider signing and ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention. It would further urge States parties to the Convention to make every possible effort to submit their reports on implementation and to cooperate fully with the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in the presentation of those reports. States parties would be further urged to take appropriate measures so that acceptance of the amendment to article 20, paragraph 1 of the Convention by two-thirds majority would occur as soon as possible in order for the amendment to enter into force.

The Assembly would also request the Secretary-General to provide resources, including staff and facilities necessary for the effective functioning of the Committee within its full mandate, in particular, taking into account the entry into force of the Optional Protocol. It would request the Secretary-General to submit a report on the status of the Convention and implementation of the present resolution at its fifty-sixth session. The Assembly would urge governments, agencies and organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to disseminate the Convention and the Optional Protocol and to continue to assist States parties, upon request, in implementing the Convention.

The resolution is sponsored by Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Tanzania, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Introduction of Drafts

The representative of the Philippines introduced the draft resolution on traffic in women and girls (document A/C.3/55/L.12). Noting a number of oral technical amendments to the text, she said the following Member States were also co-sponsors: Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Mongolia, Netherlands, Panama, Slovenia, Sweden, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Viet Nam.

The representative of Canada, on behalf of the CANZ group of States (Canada, Australia, New Zealand), introduced the resolution on improving the status of women in the United Nations system (A/C.3/55/L.14). The following also became co- sponsors: Austria, Fiji, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Slovenia, Spain, Costa Rica, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.

The representative of Denmark introduced the resolution on the Convention on eliminating discrimination against women (A/C.3/55/L.15). She noted a technical amendment, then said the following would be additional co-sponsors: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Japan, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Panama, Slovenia, Costa Rica, Malawi and Kyrgyzstan.

Opening Statement by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

BACRE WALY NDIAYE, Director of the New York Office, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, introduced the reports related to indigenous issues. He recalled that the goal of the Decade (1994-2004) was to strengthen international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous peoples in areas such as human rights, culture, the environment, development, education and health. He said the programme had five objectives: to develop activities benefiting indigenous peoples; educating non-indigenous peoples about the indigenous; promoting and protecting indigenous rights; implementing recommendations of high-level conferences, including the proposal to establish a permanent forum for indigenous people; and finally, adopting the draft declaration on indigenous rights, and promoting both international standards and national legislation for protection of those rights.

He said the largest gathering of indigenous peoples continued to be the annual meeting of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations. This year's meeting, in July, had focused on indigenous children and youth, with a two-day debate on the issue. A highlight of the Commission on Human Rights had been the decision by governments to recommend the establishment of the permanent forum, which had been endorsed by the Economic and Social Council. Among the initiatives undertaken this year, on behalf of indigenous people by the Office of the High Commissioner, was the holding of an August indigenous consultation in preparation for the 2001 World Conference on racism.

Drawing attention to the two Funds administered by the Office as summarized in the reports, he said the proclamation of the International Decade had raised expectations among indigenous people worldwide. Its objectives were ambitious but realistic. Achievement of some goals depended on the good will of governments. The permanent forum would be a major contribution to United Nations policy-making.

Statements

ELLEN KRISTENSEN (Denmark), speaking on behalf of the Nordic countries, said that this year the international community had taken a major step forward in implementing the objectives of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People by establishing a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues as a subsidiary organ of the Economic and Social Council. The global importance of such a Forum had been noted by the Secretary-General, who had earlier called it an historic step forward in recognizing the indigenous people’s legitimate struggle for respect for their way of life. Composed of representatives from both governments and indigenous people, that high-level body was intended as a forum for dialogue, reconciliation and cooperation in all areas that concerned indigenous people. The Forum’s broad mandate would not only include human rights, but also economic and social development.

She went on to say that the adoption of a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples had, regrettably, been in the drafting stages for far too many years. While she recognized that it would be no easy task to combine the legitimate aspirations of indigenous people with the concerns of governments, the international community should, nevertheless, commit itself to the drafting and adoption of a document that will turn the aspirations of indigenous people into real rights. At the same time, she was pleased to note that the mainstreaming of indigenous issues throughout the United Nations system was well under way. A great number of agencies were taking active roles in implementing the Decade, in particular, establishing contacts with indigenous peoples and launching concrete activities for their benefit.

SARAH PATERSON (New Zealand) said that her delegation had been encouraged by the progress made in integrating awareness of indigenous issues within the United Nations system. However, more needed to be done to ensure ongoing coordination among the Organization’s agencies, funds and programmes throughout the year. She called upon those same agencies to intensify their efforts in consultation with indigenous peoples, as well as the inclusion of indigenous representatives in official delegations to international conferences such as the upcoming Third World Conference against Racism. She believed that the activities surrounding the Decade should deliver practical outcomes for indigenous people. To that end, the establishment of the Permanent Forum was an important mechanism for giving indigenous people a voice within the United Nations. The Forum was also seen as fulfilling a key role in coordinating the various programmes and initiatives aimed at indigenous people.

Turning to her own country, she said that the Treaty of Waitangi continued to guide both the Government and the Maori. Indeed, the Government remained firmly committed to fulfilling its obligations as a Treaty partner, as well as to furthering the goal of Maori communities to have greater control of their own development. A key initiative was capacity-building, she said. That initiative sought to strengthen the capacity of Maori organizations and communities to achieve their own objectives. In celebration of the Decade, major human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women continued to be translated into the Maori language in order to make them more accessible.

KIRILL M. BARSKIY (Russian Federation) welcomed the establishment of the permanent forum as a part of the Economic and Social Council. He said there should be specific indicators to protect the rights of individual indigenous groups. Their income and livelihood should be protected by legislation guaranteeing their rights to freely own their lands in their natural habitats. Legislation should also guarantee them compensation in the event their lands were damaged. It should provide them with full legal protection with regard to use and habitation.

Further, he said, his country had set up framework principles for self-government of indigenous people, complete with State guarantees for protection of their natural habitat and traditional lifestyles. Forty-five discrete peoples had been registered. The aim was to create sustainable development for those peoples and provide them with work in their traditional industries while helping them process their products. In addition, social assistance was provided to the vulnerable.

In short, he concluded, both legislative measures and concrete, practical proposals were necessary to ensure the welfare of indigenous peoples.

PETER HEYWARD (Australia) said the draft declaration on the rights of indigenous people was the central focus of the decade and the permanent forum was another. There should be an integrated body within the United Nations to ensure attention for indigenous rights and to coordinate activities on behalf of the indigenous.

He said his country's approach to indigenous issues at the multilateral level reflected its domestic approach, which was based on the principle that First People (Aboriginals) and Torres Strait Islander people should have greater opportunities for exercising meaningful control over their affairs, and an effective voice in decision-making on issues affecting them. Like many countries,
his was confronting a colonial past and the legacy of social and economic disadvantage faced by indigenous peoples. A record $2.2 billion had been spent on indigenous-specific programmes in the last two years, in the belief that true reconciliation could be achieved only through practical outcomes that improved the standard of living for those disadvantaged. Knowing, however, that symbolism was important to many indigenous people, Australia had expressed its regret over the past and then had backed up the words with actions.

The Australian vision of a culturally diverse and tolerant society had been evident during the recent Olympic Games, he said. The role played by indigenous peoples had been obvious. Yet, indigenous disadvantage was still a reality, which was a wasted opportunity given the contribution indigenous people made to the socio-economic, cultural and environmental development of the States of which they were part.

MELBA PRIA (Mexico) said that the right to ethnic differences and the respect for cultural dignity were vital to societies with large and varied indigenous populations. That was particularly true of Mexico, which had more than 60 such populations. The desire to recognize and understand the plurality of Mexico’s cultures was enshrined in its constitution. However, further action was needed to allow the concerns of indigenous people to become law and, thus, to ensure that those concerns would become a major part of the country’s social, cultural and political development.

She went on to say that indigenous people, whether in Mexico or elsewhere, shared unique vulnerabilities of an economic, social and cultural nature. Those vulnerabilities were most often exacerbated by poverty and marginalization. Mexico had tackled those important issues through sincere efforts to increase the development of capacity for its indigenous populations. The Government had initiated skills training and employment programmes. It had also supported social groups aimed at establishing equity for the population in general, and for indigenous populations in particular. Programmes aimed at supporting farmers and day workers had been set up. Mexico was also actively trying to overcome what was seen as a lack of coordination between various departments of the Government. To that end, the Government had established a consultative body on which indigenous persons and government representatives were equal participants. The indigenous members had been chosen by the indigenous people themselves. Finally, she said that it was now necessary for the international community to establish new goals in order to identify the unique concerns of indigenous people and to promote their full development and participation.



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