(WGIP 98 Report)
VI. CONSIDERATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PERMANENT FORUM FOR INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES
Prof. Miguel Alfonso Martinez expressed his concerns that five years after the
deliberations of the World Conference of Human Rights at Vienna the possible mandate for a
permanent forurn remains unclear, especially in its relationship to the Working Group on
indigenous Populations. Prof. Alfonso Martinez elaborated on three aspects of the
definition of a permanent forum. As to its functions, a choice has to be made for either
an administrative, an advisory or ajudicial so to speak dispute settlement body. A second
set of
questions relates to its composition, that is to the alternatives of limited or open
participation of non-governmental actors. Prof. Alfonso Martinez finally stressed the
importance of defining the issue of the means that must be available for this type of
"forum" and in this connection he is strongly convinced that all its resources
must come from the United Nations Regular Budget and not from voluntary contributions.
financing such a permanent forum from the ordinary budget.
Ms. Erica-Irene A. Daes, in her personal capacity, expressed strong support to the
estahlishment of a permanent forum for indigenous peoples within the United Nations
system. She stressed its importance for the survival of the world's indigenous peoples.
She recalled the constructive work done by the two United Nations Workshops on the
establishment of a permanent forum, held in Copenhagen and Santiago de Chile. Furthermore,
she recalled with great satisfaction resolution 1998/20 of the Commission on Human Rights,
by which the Commission established an ad hoc working group on the establishment of a
permanent forum.
The Observer of Denmark, on behalf of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden,
Greenland Home Rule Government, the Saami Parliaments of Finland, Norway and Sweden
strongly supported the establishment of the permanent forum. In talking about the
open-ended inter-sessional ad hoc working group on the establishment of the permanent
forum she encouraged all indigenous participants and States to participate actively in the
exchange of ideas and aspirations with respect to the role, function, composition and
placement of the permanent forum. It was said that it is of particular importance that
indigenous peoples take any opportunity that may arise locally, regionally, and
internationally to discuss the modalities for the permanent forum amongst themselves to
prepare for the ad hoc working group, to be held in February 1999. She also said that it
is important to ensure the widest possible indigenous participation in the ad hoc working
group. Therefore, applications for acereditation from indigenous organizations, in
accordance to resolution 1998/20 of the Commission on Human Rights, should be processed
flexibly and with no delay.
All indigenous representatives, but one, who spoke under the agenda item on the permanent
forum strongly supported the establishment of such a forum. It was said that the permanent
forum should be established at the highest possible level within the United Nations
system. Many emphasized the importance of ensuring full participation of indigenous
peoples in the permanent forum.
An indigenous representative from Canada expressed reservations with regard to the
establishment of a permanent forum, becausse no funds are set aside for issues concerning
indigenous peoples. She said that the process pertaining to the permanent forum should be
ensured funds. She raised questions with regard to the funding of the permanent forum.