States called on to close equality gap with indigenous peoples



Indigenous peoples are still subjected to racism, discrimination, and unequal access to basic services United Nations experts have warned in a statement marking the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.





Released to coincide with celebrations in New York, including media and special events, and elsewhere the statement explained that minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being of indigenous peoples have yet to be met.





“Where statistical data is available, it shows clearly that they are left behind on all fronts, facing disproportionately higher levels of poverty, lower life expectancy, and worse educational outcomes,” the experts said.  





They also noted that the pursuit of equality and rights remains as demanding, or more so, for indigenous peoples despite the adoption of the Declaration a decade ago.





“In too many cases, indigenous peoples are now facing even greater struggles and rights violations than they did 10 years ago,” they added.





The joint statement by the Chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Ms Mariam Wallet Aboubakrine;the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Ms Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, was one of several made by United Nations agencies marking 9 August as the International Day of Indigenous Peoples. Another, by more than 40 United Nations entities and other international organisations, emphasised the lack of reciprocity between advocacy and action.





“While indigenous peoples have made significant advancements in advocating for their rights in international and regional fora, implementation of the Declaration is impeded by persisting vulnerability and exclusion,” the statement read.





This was echoed by the United Nations experts who acknowledged that immense challenges to putting into practice the principles of the Declaration remain.





“We still have a long way to go before indigenous peoples have full enjoyment of their human rights as expressed in the Declaration,” they stated, and urged countries to do more to achieve equality.





“We call on all States to close the gap between words and action, and to act now to deliver equality and full rights for all people from indigenous backgrounds,” they added. 





The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 13September2007 and established a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well being of indigenous peoples. The anniversary had been earlier commemorated at a high level event of the General Assembly during the 16th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in April. Other actions to mark the day and theme of the anniversary continue into September.



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Other websites with social media information https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/hr5367.doc.htm and media contacts at http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21944&L...


https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/news.html

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