TREATIES BETWEEN STATES AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TO BE REVIEWED BY EXPERTS IN GENEVA

15.12.2003

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is organizing an Expert seminar on treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements between States and indigenous peoples from 15 to17 December 2003.

The treaties many indigenous peoples around the world signed with former colonial powers or their successors often more than a century ago remain central to the discussions on indigenous peoples’ rights. Indeed, both historic treaties and the modern-day negotiations around indigenous land and other rights are at the heart of the contemporary efforts to reconcile States and indigenous communities.

The seminar provides an opportunity for indigenous and governmental experts to share experiences on some of the solutions being developed to deal with century-old problems and consider what role could be played by the United Nations. Experts are attending from countries including Bangladesh, Canada, Chile, Greenland, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, the Philippines and the United States.

The seminar will take place in Room XXV of Geneva’s Palais des Nations. Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan will open the meeting on Monday at 10.30 a.m.

For further information, please write to sslimane@ohchr.org