07 Apr 2005

In it's 59th session, on 20 December 2004, the General Assembly decided to proclaim a Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People starting 1 January 2005. This means the negotiations on the rights, concerning the situation of an estimated 250 million indigenous people in about 70 countries, continues.

At this point a significant rift has become apparent with two different positions being advocated by indigenous networks at the highest level of the United Nations system. The two differing approaches are long standing, with diplomatic controversy over whether indigenous groups have collective rights as distinct people. The two positions are as follows:

1. Retain the current text as it is with no amendment; or
2. Agree to re-negotiate the text.

Position One A letter submitted to the Honorable Ambassador Makarim Wibisono, President of the 61st Session of the United Natiuons Commission on Human Rights. The letter asks that the Commission adopt the existing text at the 61st seession and to pass it on to the next step in the UN process. If this is not accepted, the letter seeks a break or recess in the negotiation process.

This letter is supported by 129 indigenous organisations, including three Maori.

Position Two The second position being advocated is that there should be continued engagement and negotiation on all aspects of the current text.

Overall Picture The two approaches are being endorsed by highly experienced indigenous organisations who have been active in the negotiation of both the ILO 169 and the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenopus People. Additonally both of these positions are widely supported. All groups have declared that the current text is the "minimum standard".

If you have a preferred position on this matter, you should advocate this to any entity that can assist in developing a government position, such as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ministry of Maori Affairs.