English EMPUJE Abra la puerta oficial a la Casa de Mica, las Naciones Unidas. Camine con orgullo, bienvenido por la comunidad internacional. Hay una larga historia de líderes indígenas que han tocado la puerta de las Naciones Unidas, pero aún no existe un mecanismo adecuado que les permita participar formalmente en la toma de decisiones. La necesidad de establecer un foro permanente dentro del sistema de las Naciones Unidas que les permitirá una representación directa a los pueblos, las naciones y las comunidades indígenas, está actualmente bajo discusión. Palabras de apertura de Mary Robinson Alto Comisario de las Naciones Unidas Para los Derechos Humanos   Grupo de Tabajo Abierto Sobre el Foro Permanente Para los Pueblos Indígenas, Ginebra, 14 de febrero del 2000 Palais des Nations, sala 17 RECONOCIMIENTO DE LA DIPLOMACIA INDIGENA Un foro permanente se trata de responsabilidad: es la voluntad económica, social y política que tienen los estados miembros de las Naciones Unidas para desarrollar relaciones significativas con los pueblos indígenas a través de un diálogo transparente entre los líderes, a través de una apreciación para las diferentes maneras de gobernar, a través de acciones abordadas de manera efectiva dentro de la Asamblea General y toda la gama de actividades dentro del Consejo Económico y Social (ECOSOC), a través el respeto por los derechos, tradiciones antiguas y procedimientos de negociaciones de paz que existen dentro de una infrastructura colectiva de parentesco. ?Puede la familia de naciones comprometerse a una sociedad capaz de implementar estrategias concretas, asegurando la supervivencia de los pueblos indígenas? ?Es posible la creación de un foro permanente dentro del sistema de las Naciones Unidas? ?Cuáles son los obstáculos a su creación? ?Cómo asegurar el éxito de esta inversión diplomática para todos los que estan involucrados? El concepto de un foro permanente para los pueblos indígenas dentro del sistema de las Naciones Unidas implica el reconocimiento de comunidades auto-determinadas cuyas preocupaciones sobre la violación de sitios sagrados, los derechos territoriales y los derechos tradicionales sobre los recursos dentro de estos mismos, el desplazamiento de comunidades, la propiedad intelectual y cultural, la violación de derechos humanos, el racismo, el genocidio, así como, el impacto que tiene la economía internacional, la política legal y social, requieren una atención especial. Miembros del Foro Permanente deben poseer la capacidad de sanar relaciones domésticas dificiles entre los pueblos indígenas y las naciones que los rodean o se encuentran dentro de patrias indígenas. Es una meta muy compleja.   Los Pueblos Indígenas en las Naciones Unidas Plataforma de Información del Pueblo Indio [Sitio Pertinente en Inglés:] Declaración de Prensa: Comisión de las Naciones Unidas Para los Derechos Humanos, Sesión 56, el 27 de abril del 2000, aprueba el Borrador de la Resolución para establecer un Foro Permanente Sobre Asuntos Indígenas (E/CN.4/2000/L.68) ?Cómo es su visión de un foro permanente para los pueblos indígenas dentro del sistema de las Naciones Unidas? ?Quién partcipará? ?Cómo será estructurado el foro? ?Qué incluyará su mandato? ?Qué impacto tendrá sobre las otras entidades dentro de las Naciones Unidas? ?Cómo manejará las necesidades de las comunidades indígenas? ?Cómo llegará a un acuerdo ya que hay tantos involucrados en el proceso? ?Cómo se manejaría usted con las múltiple perspectivas que desafíen su visión y su plan de implementación de esta misma?     Comisión de Derechos Humanos

Judy Michaud

Welcome to our Dialogue on the Establishment of a Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples in the United Nations.

We welcome your thoughts and ideas.

Marie-Danielle Samuel
yachaywasi_AT_igc.org

Recommendations of the Indigenous Caucus on the establishment of the Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples in the United Nations system at the Working Group on Permanent Forum, Geneva February 14-23, 2000 [source: NativeNews; Tue, 15 Feb 2000 10:53:26]

1. The Establishment of the Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples The Permanent Forum as called by Indigenous Peoples meetings should be established on a permanent basis in accordance with the UN General Assembly resolution 50/157 of l995 and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of 1993.

2. Mandate: Endorse the recommendation of the Chairman/Rapporteur (E/CN.4/AC.47/2000/2) to have the mandate modeled on Article 62 and 63 of the Charter of the United Nations. Furthermore, the Permanent Forum should have, inter alia, the following mandates: - To promote peace and prosperity in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, by developing friendly relations among Nations and Peoples based on respect for the principle of equal rights; - To serve as the central forum for the discussion of indigenous peoples’issues and formulate policy recommendations on those issues addressed to Member States and to the United Nations system; - To make or initiate studies and reports and make recommendations to the ECOSOC and/or General Assembly on political, economical, civil, social, cultural, educational, health, environmental,developmental and other matters related to Indigenous Peoples; - To make recommendations to the ECOSOC and/or General Assembly on urgent problems requiring immediate attention with regard to Indigenous Peoples and to develop proposals to give effect to such recommendations; - To review and coordinate all relevant United Nations plans, programs and instruments in the field of Indigenous Peoples; - To rationalize, adapt, strengthen and streamline the activities of the United Nations system in the field of Indigenous Peoples; - To call upon individual experts and establish ad-hoc working groups in specialized fields if and when necessary; - To call international conferences and prepare draft standards for submission to the ECOSOC and/or General Assembly on matters falling within its competence; - To provide technical and advisory services for Members of the United Nations and, on request, for the specialized agencies and - To consult with indigenous peoples’ organizations and non-governmental organizations concerned with matters falling within its competence.

3. Membership and Nomination of the Core Group a. The Core Group should consist of an equal number of indigenous and governmental representatives selected in accordance with their respective criteria and procedures. b. The membership of the Forum should reflect the geographical and cultural diversity of the world in an equitable manner.

4. Participation of observers in the Open Assembly (a) All indigenous peoples’ representatives/organizations should be able to participate as observers in the Permanent Forum irrespective of whether they have Consultative Status with the ECOSOC or not. The Permanent Forum can develop its own Rules of Procedure to establish its relationship with indigenous organizations. (b) The Permanent Forum should develop relationship with the UN specialized agencies who can participate in the Permanent Forum as observers. (c) Non-indigenous NGOs with Consultative Status can participate in the Permanent Forum as observers. (d)Member States of the UN can participate as observers. (e) The Permanent Forum should be able to call upon the experts if required.

5. The placement of the Permanent Forum in the United Nations system The Permanent Forum should be established at the highest possible level within the UN system, with the level of the ECOSOC as the lowest acceptable level.

6. Voting The members of the Core Group should have the right to vote. Decisions should preferably be taken by consensus.

7. The name of the Forum: Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples.

8. Number of members The Core Group should consist of 30 members.

9. Rules of procedure The Permanent Forum shall develop its own rules of procedure.

10. Terms The members of the Core Group should be elected for 3 years, with the possibility for reelection for a new term.

11. Finance: The Permanent Forum should be funded through the regular budget of the United Nations. A United Nations Fund for the Permanent Forum should be established to assist the functioning and programs of the Permanent Forum including the participation of the observer indigenous representatives.

12. Location of the Permanent Forum and Secretariat The Permanent Forum should be located in New York. Its Secretariat should be established with key positions staffed by indigenous individuals.

Larry Innes

Commission on Human Rights - Resolution re Indigenous People Forum

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Fifty-sixth session Agenda item 15

INDIGENOUS ISSUES

Belgium*, Canada, Chile, Cyprus*, Denmark*, Ecuador, Estonia*, Finland*, Greece*, Guatemala, Honduras*, Iceland*, Latvia, Lithuania*, Mexico, Netherlands*, New Zealand*, Norway, Paraguay*, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Sweden*, Switzerland*, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Venezuela: draft resolution

2000/... Establishment of a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

The Commission on Human Rights,

Recommends the following resolution to the Economic and Social Council for adoption:

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling the provision contained in the final document of the World Conference on Human Rights, held in Vienna in 1993, according to which the establishment of a permanent forum for indigenous people within the United Nations system should be considered,1

Recalling also that consideration of the establishment of a permanent forum is recognized as one of the important objectives of the programme of activities for the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, General Assembly resolution 50/157 of 21 December 1995, annex.

Noting the two workshops on the subject held under the auspices of the Commission on Human Rights in Copenhagen in 1995 and in Santiago in 1997, recalling the report of the Secretary-General entitled "Review of existing mechanisms, procedures, and programmes within the United Nations concerning indigenous people" (A/51/493) and noting in particular, the striking absence of a mechanism to ensure coordination and regular exchange of information among interested parties - Governments, the United Nations and indigenous people - on an ongoing basis,

Taking into account the deliberations of the ad hoc working group established pursuant to Commission on Human Rights resolutions 1998/20 of 9 April 1998 and 1999/52 of 27 April 1999 to consider the establishment of a permanent forum and to submit concrete proposals to that effect (see E/CN.4/1999/83 and E/CN.4/2000/86) - as well as the consideration given to the subject at the fifty-sixth session of the Commission on Human Rights,

Wishing to finalize this project during the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People as one means of furthering the objectives of the Decade in partnership between Governments and indigenous people,

Bearing in mind the common resolve to promote peace and prosperity in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and recalling the functions and powers of the Council in that respect as contained in the Charter,

1. Decides to establish as a subsidiary organ of the Council a permanent forum on indigenous issues consisting of 16 members, 8 members to be nominated by Governments and elected by the Council and, 8 members to be appointed by the President of the Council (assisted by the Bureau) on the basis of broad consultations with indigenous organizations taking into account the diversity and geographical distribution of the indigenous people of the world as well as the principles of transparency, representativity and equal opportunity for all indigenous people; all members serving in their personal capacity as independent experts on indigenous issues for a period of three years with the possibility of re-election or reappointment for one further period; States, United Nations bodies and organs, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Council may participate as observers; organizations of indigenous people may equally participate as observers in accordance with the procedures which have been applied in the Working Group on Indigenous Populations;

2. Decides that the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues shall serve as an advisory body to the Council with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues within the mandate of the Council relating to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights; in so doing the Forum will:

(a) Provide expert advice and recommendations on indigenous issues to the Council, as well as to programmes, funds and agencies of the United Nations, through the Council;

(b) Raise awareness and promote the integration and coordination of activities relating to indigenous issues within the United Nations system;

(c) Prepare and disseminate information on indigenous issues;

3. Decides that the Permanent Forum shall apply the rules of procedures established for subsidiary organs of the Council as applicable, unless otherwise decided by the Council; the principle of consensus shall govern the work of the Forum;

4. Also decides that the Permanent Forum shall hold an annual session of 10 working days at the United Nations Office at Geneva or at United Nations Headquarters or at such other place as the Permanent Forum may decide in accordance with existing financial rules and regulations of the United Nations;

5. Further decides that the Permanent Forum shall submit an annual report to the Council on its activities, including any recommendations for approval; the report shall be distributed to the relevant United Nations organs, funds, programmes and agencies as a means, inter alia, of furthering the dialogue on indigenous issues within the United Nations system;

6. Decides that the financing of the Permanent Forum shall be provided from within existing resources through the regular budget of the United Nations and its specialized agencies and through such voluntary contributions as may be donated;

7. Also decides that five years after its establishment, an evaluation of the functioning of the Permanent Forum, including the method for selection of its members, shall be carried out by the Council in the light of the experience gained;

8. Further decides that once the Permanent Forum has been established and has held its first annual session, the Council will make a decision concerning the continued functioning of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations and conduct a review of all existing mechanisms, procedures and programmes within the United Nations concerning indigenous issues with a view to rationalizing activities, avoiding duplication and overlap and promoting effectiveness. --------------

* In accordance with rule 69, paragraph 3, of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council.

1 A/CONF.157/24, Part I, sect. II, para. 32.

See E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.4/1995/7 and E/CN.4/1998/11

Larry Innes
Innu Nation
http://www.innu.ca/

Producer, Dialogue Between Nations

THE DOOR HAS OPENED

On July 28, 2000, National Chief Matthew Coon Come, of the Assembly of First Nations, addressed the United Nations Economic and Social Council on the Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples, in support of an historic resolution that will establish a Permanent United Nations Forum on Indigenous Peoples.

Further information can be found in the Press Release on the AFN web site at:

http://www.afn.ca

Subject: UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues-Fwd: joint statement From: "Carol KALAFATIC"

JOINT STATEMENT FROM INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT AT THE ECOSOC SUBSTANTIVE SESSION 2000

Agenda Item: Report of the Commission on Human Rights

Seven years have passed since the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna recommended the establishment of a Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples. Within this period the General Assembly twice recommended its creation and several dialogues took place between governments and Indigenous Peoples on the establishment of the permanent forum. On the 28th of April 2000 the Commission on Human Rights in its 56th Session adopted Resolution E/CN.4/RES/2000/87 on the Establishment of a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

The creation of a Permanent Forum was further supported by more than 130 Governments present at the recently concluded 24th Special Session of the General Assembly entitled “World Summit for Social Development and Beyond: Achieving Social Development for all In a Globalizing World”.

21ter. Encourage the ongoing work on a draft declaration on the rights of indigenous people, with the aim of achieving completion prior to the conclusion of the International Decade on the World’s Indigenous People in 2004 and support the establishment of a United Nations permanent forum to discuss indigenous issues within the mandate of the Economic and Social Council relating to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights. (Paragraph 21ter of Final Outcome Document ) . Although the Commission Resolution does not fully capture the aspirations of Indigenous Peoples, as it is a compromised document reached between States themselves, we do feel that it does approach the promise of a direct voice for indigenous peoples within the United Nations system. We believe that the adoption of the Resolution reflects the willingness of States to build a new partnership with Indigenous Peoples.

The establishment of a Permanent Forum is a historical and urgent step which can help bring forth peace, justice, and sustainable development amongst all peoples of the world. We, Indigenous Peoples at this ECOSOC Session strongly urge the Members of the ECOSOC to adopt the Commission on Human Rights Resolution E/CN.4/RES/2000/87.

SIGNED: 27 July 2000, UN Headquarters, New York 1. Lars Anders Baer - Saami Council 2. John Henriksen - Saami Council 3. Alberto Saldamando - International Indian Treaty Council 4. Carol Kalafatic - International Indian Treaty Council 5. Tonya Gonella Frichner - American Indian Law Alliance 6. Mercedes Pierre - American Indian Law Alliance, 7. Marcial Arias - Asociacion Napguana 8. Tarcila Rivera Zea - Chirapaq (Centro de Culturas Indigenas del Peru) 9. Esther Camac - Asociacion Ixacavaa de Desarrollo e Informacion Indigena 10. Lucy Mulenkei - African Indigenous Women’s Organization 11. Naomi Kipuri - Arid Lands Institute 12. Oren R. Lyons - Haudenosaunee Confederacy 13. Darwin Hill - Haudenosaunee Confederacy 14. Hjalmar Dahl - Inuit Circumpolar Conference

15. Rodion Sulyandziga - RAIPON (Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North) 16. Ratnaker Bhengra - JOHAR 17. Suhas Chakma - Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ Network 18. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz - TEBTEBBA/ Asian Indigenous Women’s Network 19. Aucan Huilcaman - Consejo de Todas las Tierras 20. Cecil Le Fleur -IPACC (Indigenous Peoples’ of Africa Coordinating Committee) 21. Wilton Littlechild-Indigenous Organization for Resource Development (IORD)

Supported by:

Jens Dahl, International Workgroup for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA)