(WGIP 98 Report)
VII. INTERNATIONAL DECADE OF THE WORLD'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
The observer for Norway made a statement on behalf of the Nordic countries, the Greenland
Home Rule Government and the Saami Parliaments, whereby he proposed to hold a technical
meeting immediately prior to the seventeenth session of the Working Group in order to
undertake the review and suggest possible changes to the programme of action of the
Decade.
Commenting on the International Decade, an indigenous participant from Asia stressed the
importance of educating and informing the international community with respect to
indigenous issues and proposed the publication of a handbook.
An indigenous participant referred to UN Doc. E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.4/1998/6, a report from a
United Nations workshop of indigenous journalists. He proposed the creation of a
communications network, including the participation of indigenous peoples, NGOs and
international agencies. He likewise stressed the importance of the new communications
technology for the endeavors of indigenous journalists.
An indigenous participant from the Russian Federation stated that due to the difficult
access to communication facilities, the peoples of the North are moving forward slowly in
the realization of the objectives of the International Decade and appealed for support of
peoples in the neighbouring countries to which they have historical links.
With respect to the mid-point review, an indigenous participant from Australia noted that
there is little evidence of achievements and a lack of commitment to the objectives of the
Decade. In this respect he stressed the urgent need for adequate funding on the national
and international levels.
An indigenous participant from Asia noted that, within the framework of the International
Decade, the situation of more than a hundred very seriously threatened indigenous groups
in the world calls for a thorough revision of development policies, in order to counteract
such phenomena as ecological destruction of livelihoods, demographic explosion and
cultural as well as physical genocide. The international Decade should serve to articulate
and develop alternative policy measures.
An indigenous participant from Canada noted how essential the Voluntary Fund on lndigenous
Populations is for the participation of indigenous peoples in the UN system. The Voluntary
Fund is achieving its purpose in ensuring a process that is beneficial to the communities
which are represented by the delegations participating in the Working Group sessions.
Several indigenous participants extended their thanks to the governments contributing to
the Voluntary Funds.
An indigenous participant from Canada informed the Working Group about the World
Indigenous Nations Games (WIN Games). He submitted a resolution and petition to declare
the WIN Games as an official UN Decade activity. He stated that sports are human rights
and that they have a valuable contribution to make in nation building, healthy lifestyles
and positive self esteem. He informed the Working Group about the establishment of an
International Advisory Council for the WIN Games to be held in 2003.
The Chairperson-Rapporteur appealed to Governments, organizations and individuals to make
contributions to the two voluntary funds for indigenous peoples.
In relation to the activities within the framework of the International Decade, an
indigenous participant from Japan commented on the shortcomings of the government's
language policy.
The Observer for Japan made a statement about the policy taken for the protection ofth~e
rights of the Ainu people and affirmed the commitment of his government to the welfare of
the Ainu people. He mentioned likewise that Japan is contributing financially within the
framework of the International Decade and asked the Office of the High Commissioner for
Human rights for appropriate use and openness regarding the Funds.
The Chairperson-Rapporteur replied that the High Commissioner will respond to that request
and in addition and expressed her deep gratitude to the government of Japan for
contributing with 140.000 US Dollars to the Voluntary Fund and with 200.000 US Dollars to
the activities of the International Decade as of March 1998.
The observer for Estonia informed the Working Group on recent steps it had taken in the
framework of that country's long term policies relating to the promotion of finno-ugric
and uralic languages and cultures shared by some indigenous peoples and Estonians. The
concrete measures include contributions for study grants, visiting professors and research
on uralic studies to the areas of culture, education and information.
Mr. Miguel Alfonso Martinez requested that documentation in order to evaluate the
activities of the first half of the International Decade be prepared, noting that the lack
of documents make it difficult to monitor the use of funds.
The Chairperson-rapporteur replied that both Voluntary Funds are administered according to
specific relevant rules and that the reports of the meetings were internal documents. She
requested the High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare documentation relating to
ongoing funding and project activities, given that aside from the Sccretary General's
report to the General Assembly there is no detailed official documentation on the issue.
VII. OTHER MATTERS
Mr. Miguel Alfonso Martinez expressed his concerns about practical questions regarding the
Programme of Action of the International Decade. In this respect, he mentioned he heavy
load of work of the Secretariat of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations. It appears
to Mr. Alfonso Martinez that the creation of new tasks within the framework of the Decade
was not fitted by adequate number staff to carry out the tasks The number of professional
staff at the Office of High Commissioner does not match the amount of work falling to
them. Work is inadequately carried out by different logistical sections, which amoun~ to
insufficient conditions for necessary teamwork. Concluding his remarks, he kindly
requested the High Commissioner for Human Rights to give to her commitment as Coordinator
of the International Decade the necessary practical effects.
An indigenous participant from Panama thanked Governments and institutions who contributed
to the Voluntary Fund on Indigenous Populations. He nevertheless noted that financial
assistance to 48 indigenous delegates is insufficient and noted the need for other
mechanisms to ensure the necessary participation of indigenous peoples in the UN system.
An indigenous representative from Canada expressed his concern for the restructuring of
the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the effect it had on the
Secretariat of the Working Group of Indigenous Populations. He expressed the view that the
current situation needs to be changed and endorsed the comments of Mr. Miguel Alfonso
Martinez on the subject. He also stressed the importance of continuing to study indigenous
peoples relationship to land as well as of the work being done in meetings and seminars
relating to
specific subject matters and welcomed in this context the initiatives taken by the World
Intellectual Property Organization in organizing a first roundtable on indigenous peoples
and intellectual property immediately prior to the session of the Working Group.
The Chairperson-Rapporteur expressed her deep appreciation and sincere gratitude to the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for an extremely
well organized celebration of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples,
held in Geneva on 31 July 1998. She thanked the indigenous representatives for taking part
in the celebration, in particular those who shared their cultural expressions with the
rest of the participants. She payed a special tribute to the five Indigenous Fellows in
OHCHR, Ms. Saoudata Aboubacrine, Mr. Estebancio Castro Diaz, Ms. Tracy McHugh, Ms. Tracey
Whare and Ms. Jennifer Williams for making all the preparations for the celebration. The
also expressed her gratitude to the Department for Public Information for its extremely
valuable assistance in organizing this event. Finally, she expressed her deepest gratitude
to the Director-General for the United Nations Office at Geneva, Mr. Vladimir Petrovsky
and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Mary Robinson for their kind and important
contribution to the celebration.