[IPSM] House of Commons calls for implementation of Declaration

[Ahni]

Can pigs fly? Well you may be surprised to know one skyrocketed passed the
House of Commons on Tuesday. Amazingly enough, it happened just as the House
announced their support of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples. [see original
article<http://intercontinentalcry.org/house-of-commons-calls-for-implementation-of-declaration/>for
attached photo]

Courtesy of the Western Shoshone Defense Project (WSDP <http://wsdp.org/>),
here's a joint statement on the matter (of the announcement by the House of
Commons, that is)


UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Canadian Parliament
Calls for Implementation of Critical Universal Human Rights Instrument

*News Release*

April 9, 2008

Indigenous peoples' organizations and human rights groups welcome
yesterday's decision by the Canadian Parliament to endorse the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Declaration was adopted by the UN General Assembly on September 13, 2007
in a historic vote by an overwhelming majority of member states. Canada was
one of only four states to oppose the Declaration. The government of Stephen
Harper has since claimed that the Declaration is not applicable in Canada.
This claim has no legal basis and is unprecedented in Canada's foreign and
domestic policy.

On Tuesday, April 8, the House of Commons passed a resolution to endorse the
Declaration as adopted by the UN and calling on Parliament and the
Government of Canada to "fully implement the standards contained therein."

"The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples provides a road map
for the reconciliation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada
and around the world," says Mary Simon, President Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
"Aboriginal peoples in Canada welcome the commitment of the majority of
Parliamentarians to work with us to implement urgently needed human rights
standards."

The UN Declaration affirms minimum human rights standards necessary for the
"survival, dignity and well-being of the Indigenous peoples of the world."
These include the right of self-determination, protections from
discrimination and genocide, and recognition of rights to lands, territories
and resources that are essential to the identity, health and livelihood of
Indigenous peoples. The Declaration also explicitly requires that all
provisions are to be balanced with other rights protections and interpreted
in accordance with principles of justice, democracy, non-discrimination,
good governance and respect for the human rights of all.

"The rights affirmed in the Declaration are vital to our lives as Indigenous
peoples and to the generations still to come," says Beverley Jacobs,
President of the Native Women's Association of Canada. "We deeply appreciate
the fact that the majority of Members of Parliament were prepared to do the
right thing and endorse the Declaration."

During the House of Commons debate over the resolution, Conservative
government spokespersons claimed that the Declaration would undo centuries
of Canadian treaties with Indigenous peoples.

"This government's latest arguments against the Declaration show just how
ridiculous their position has become," says Chief Wilton Littlechild,
international chief for Treaty Six. "The UN Declaration explicitly states
that treaties and other agreements with Indigenous peoples are to be
honoured and respected. I worked with Canadian diplomats to draft the treaty
provisions in the Declaration. We just want the Canadian government to live
up to that promise."

Human rights Declarations become universally applicable upon their adoption
by the UN General Assembly, regardless of how individual states vote.
Indigenous peoples and human rights organizations hope that today's vote
will have a positive impact on Canada's domestic and foreign policy.

"Canada's reputation as a human rights advocate continues to suffer as a
result of its ongoing opposition to the Declaration. Despite the
government's opposition, this vote in the House of Commons is an important
step in the implementation of the Declaration", says Grand Chief Edward
John, Political Executive Member of the First Nations Summit.

"The Canadian government's unreasonable opposition to the UN Declaration has
undermined Canada's influence on the international stage," says Alex Neve,
Secretary General, Amnesty International Canada. "Now that Parliament's
official position is to support and implement the Declaration, we hope that
the government will take advantage of this opportunity to restore Canada's
reputation for principled support of international human rights standards."

In a message to Canadian Parliamentarians delivered on the eve of the vote,
noted Indigenous rights advocate and Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues, Victoria Tauli Corpuz, said:

… implementation of the Declaration will hasten genuine reconciliation
efforts between governments and indigenous peoples. It sets the basic
framework and guidelines for these key actors to develop joint plans and
strategies on how to redress the historical and present injustices suffered
by indigenous peoples. It provides a good impetus for governments to plan
jointly with indigenous peoples on how peace, security, human rights and
sustainable development can be achieved in indigenous peoples' territories.

… An endorsement of the adoption of the Declaration will not only favor the
indigenous peoples of Canada but also the indigenous peoples in countries
where Canadian aid is provided.

–30 –

Assembly of First Nations
Amnesty International Canada
Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers)
First Nations Summit
International Organization of Indigenous Resource Development (IOIRD)
Inuit Circumpolar Council (Canada)
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Native Women's Association of Canada

CONTACT

Craig Benjamin
Campaigner for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Amnesty International Canada
312 Laurier Ave. East,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 1H9
1.613.744.7667 (ext. 235)
cbenjami at amnesty.ca
www.amnesty.ca | 1 800 AMNESTY
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