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Review of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, and
State of the Voluntary Funds
This session gave the opportunity to the participants to express their
general appreciation of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous
People. Indeed it was the occasion for them to give their evaluation about
the work that has been achieved throughout the decade, and the work that
is still to be done.
One of the major positive results of the decade is a forum for indigenous
people where they can freely express their problems and expectations.
In fact, as many participants mentioned, this forum has increased the
awareness of countries, international organizations and agencies, of indigenous
issues. As Mr. Yozo Yokota, an expert of the Working Group on Indigenous
Populations, said: "The awareness of indigenous issues has been raised,
[...] in some countries new legislations to improve the condition of indigenous
people have been adopted, [...] some courts have begun to recognize a
special status to indigenous people, [...] at the United Nations (UN),
organs and agencies are more and more giving special attention to indigenous
needs and problems".
Indeed, most participants recognized that the decade brought governments'
attention on indigenous needs and problems. This increased attention resulted,
in some countries, in the organization of conferences on indigenous issues,
and in the adoption of policies promoting indigenous peoples' rights.
As Mrs. Galina Volkova (from the Association of Indigenous Peoples of
the North of the Khabarovsk Region) told the assembly, two conferences
on indigenous problems were held by Russian ministers, the first conference
on the socio-economic development of indigenous populations was organized,
and programs for a regional development were set up during the past decade.
However, as Mr. Yozo Yokota pointed out, indigenous people are still confronting
the same problems, such as discrimination, unemployment and poverty. Moreover,
no Draft Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous People has been adopted
during the decade, to facilitate the working system, and the future of
indigenous people. Besides, as it was underlined, indigenous people are
still facing some discrimination regarding the administration of justice.
Indeed, indigenous people continue to have linguistic problems, and cannot
count on any specific international body to hear their grievances.
This fact is particularly important, since indigenous people are dependant
on the goodwill of governments for the respect of their rights. As Mr.
Ruhama J. Lakra of World Adivasi Council reminded the assembly: "Many
countries have very good constitutional provisions, but in practice it
is totally different." Due to this fact, many participants insisted
upon the necessity to create some kind of monitoring system in order to
ensure that States respect the engagements they have taken towards indigenous
peoples.
Concerning States' engagements during the decade, most participants urged
governments to take more substantial measures to recognize, promote and
protect indigenous rights. As Mrs Sharon Venne of Akaitcha Dene stated:
"States may have accepted to establish a decade, but the will is
just not there. We need more efforts from the governments".
Mr. Jorge Agurto of Servicios de Communicaciòn Intercultural, asked
for a better communication between the UN and indigenous populations.
"There are still problems in terms of communication and transmission
of information between the UN and indigenous populations. This leads to
a situation where most indigenous people who should benefit from the programs
of the decade, are unaware of their existence".
Nevertheless, all participants agreed that overall, the Decade had had
a positive impact on the promotion of indigenous rights, and that there
should be another Decade, since, as Mrs. Galina Volkova said: "one
decade is not enough to make a difference". In fact, Mr. Miguel Alfonso
Martinez, in his quality of chairman and of expert of the Working Group
on Indigenous Populations, declared: "A second decade would be perfectly
reasonable and a formal proposal should be made in that effect".
As for the Voluntary Funds, all participants agreed that there was a lack
of financial resources. "The problem with our funds, is that there
are no funds," said Mr. Victor Morales Bravo of the Centro de Education
y Desarrollo Integral Andino.
Because of this situation, many representatives asked for the elaboration
of stricter criteria that would ensure that the grants benefit most to
indigenous populations. Notably, Mr. Jorge Agurto proposed that a clear
distinction be made between non-indigenous organizations and indigenous
organizations, so that priority could be given to indigenous organizations.
By: Delphine Pastorel and Jean Boisvert.
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