March 4, 2014
Dear Ambassadors,
On behalf of the North American Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus (NAIPC) to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which convened in Kamloops (Secwepemc Territory), British Columbia, Canada on March 1-2, 2014, and including our representatives to the Global Coordinating Group for the High Level Plenary Meeting/World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (HLPM/WCIP), we transmit to you the following consensus document:
The North American Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus operates from the foundational principle that every deliberation, decision or document, by any entity, that fundamentally affects us, our territories, our interests, or our future generations, must include our full, equal and effective participation. This principle applies no less to the decisions and organs of the United Nations than it does to any other entity.
The United Nations is duty bound to honor and to respect the fundamental rights of all peoples, as embodied in the UN Charter, the Human Rights Covenants, UN Conventions (including ILO Convention 169) and Declarations, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007). On 21 December 2010, in A/Res/65/198, the General Assembly decided “to organize a high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly, to be known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, to be held in 2014.”
Indigenous Peoples around the globe, including NAIPC, were clear that any such high plenary meeting would obtain the approval and participation of Indigenous peoples only if the condition of equal, full and effective participation by indigenous Peoples was assured by the United Nations. The condition of equal and effective participation was particularly crucial regarding the drafting, production and dissemination of any outcome document that emerged from the HLPM/WCIP.
The publication of General Assembly Resolution 66/296 of 15 October 2012, hereinafter “The Modalities Resolution,” created deep concern within NAIPC that the structure of the HLPM, and the outcome document were not respectful of the principle of full and equal participation by Indigenous Peoples. Numerous Indigenous nations, organizations and individuals expressed their disappointment to the President of the General Assembly (PGA), and to various state members. Despite its concerns, NAIPC decided to move forward with its participation in the Global Indigenous Preparatory Meeting in Alta, Norway, 10-12 June 2013. The Alta Outcome document affirmed four major themes to be addressed by the HLPM, and reiterated that “the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples to participate fully in decision-making that affects us, will continue to guide and frame our work for the HLPM/WCIP.”
Inspired by the collaborations achieved at Alta, NAIPC continued to consider its possible role in the HLPM/WCIP, until the PGA’s Aide Memoir of 26 February 2014. In his communiqué, PGA Ashe made it clear that he was not going to advance the principle of full and equal participation by indigenous peoples in the HLPM/WCIP. The position of the PGA neither respects nor advances the rights of Indigenous Peoples that are embodied in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. As a consequence of the Aide Memoire, the NAIPC adopted, by absolute consensus, the following resolution at its meeting of 1-2 March 2014:
NAIPC will engage other regions and caucus to move toward a global consensus on the cancellation of the HLP also known as the WCIP. The following text is the consensus position reached by the NAIPC calling for the cancellation of the High Level Plenary Meeting (HLPM) to be known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP):
In March of 2013, at the NAIPC meeting at Sycuan, we established, through consensus, standards of analysis and review regarding the proposed UN high-level plenary meeting (HLPM), also known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP). These standards were applied by the North American delegation at the meeting in Alta,
Norway in June of 2013. The bedrock of the NAIPC position
regarding Indigenous Peoples participation in the HLPM is that participation must
be FULL and EQUAL. We decided last March that we would revisit the question of
the HLPM at the 2014 NAIPC meeting, and decide upon any further participation
in planning or participating in the HLPM.
In the months following the Alta meeting and in particular on February 26, 2013, the President of the General Assembly (PGA), has made it clear in an Aide Memoir that equal and effective participation by Indigenous Peoples WILL NOT occur at the HLPM. Therefore, the NAIPC conditions that were established at Sycuan, and that were reiterated at Alta, have not been respected and have been ignored by the PGA. Given this chain of events, and given the short timeline between now and the scheduled HLPM, we do not foresee our conditions for participation as equals in the HLPM being met.
Therefore, the NAIPC calls for the immediate cancellation of the HLPM by the UN General Assembly. We also call on the state of Mexico to cancel its planned technical meeting to begin drafting the outcome document for the HLPM-WCIP; we call on the UNPFII to cancel any further participation and additional preparatory or advisory meetings for the HLPM. Additionally, NAIPC advances the position throughout Great Turtle Island, and to the world's Indigenous Peoples, to call for the cancellation of the HLPM, and to withhold any and all support and participation. We call for the withdrawal of any support, active or tacit, for the HLPM by Indigenous Peoples anywhere in the world.
By consensus the above text was agreed upon and it was decided that the NAIPC will call for cancellation of the HLPM and withdraw from the Global Coordinating Group of the HLPM/WCIP. Debra Harry and Kenneth Deer, the two NAIPC representatives to the GCG will go to New York to deliver this message to a group of states on Tuesday March 4th, after which time the NAIPC formally withdraws from the GCG.
Approved by acclamation. North American Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus (NAIPC) to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, convened in Kamloops (Secwepemc Territory), British Columbia, Canada, Sunday, March 2, 2014
Submitted on behalf of all our relations – past, present and future.
In the months following the Alta meeting and in particular on February 26, 2013, the President of the General Assembly (PGA), has made it clear in an Aide Memoir that equal and effective participation by Indigenous Peoples WILL NOT occur at the HLPM. Therefore, the NAIPC conditions that were established at Sycuan, and that were reiterated at Alta, have not been respected and have been ignored by the PGA. Given this chain of events, and given the short timeline between now and the scheduled HLPM, we do not foresee our conditions for participation as equals in the HLPM being met.
Therefore, the NAIPC calls for the immediate cancellation of the HLPM by the UN General Assembly. We also call on the state of Mexico to cancel its planned technical meeting to begin drafting the outcome document for the HLPM-WCIP; we call on the UNPFII to cancel any further participation and additional preparatory or advisory meetings for the HLPM. Additionally, NAIPC advances the position throughout Great Turtle Island, and to the world's Indigenous Peoples, to call for the cancellation of the HLPM, and to withhold any and all support and participation. We call for the withdrawal of any support, active or tacit, for the HLPM by Indigenous Peoples anywhere in the world.
By consensus the above text was agreed upon and it was decided that the NAIPC will call for cancellation of the HLPM and withdraw from the Global Coordinating Group of the HLPM/WCIP. Debra Harry and Kenneth Deer, the two NAIPC representatives to the GCG will go to New York to deliver this message to a group of states on Tuesday March 4th, after which time the NAIPC formally withdraws from the GCG.
Approved by acclamation. North American Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus (NAIPC) to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, convened in Kamloops (Secwepemc Territory), British Columbia, Canada, Sunday, March 2, 2014
Submitted on behalf of all our relations – past, present and future.
Debra Harry Janice Makokis
Co-Coordinators, North American Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus
Cc:
H.E. Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General Email: SGCentral@un.org
H.E. Mr. João Soares Da Gama, Permanent Representative of Guinea-Bissau, Chair of the African States Group
Email: guinea-bissau@un.int and guinebissauonu@gmail.com
H.E. Mr. Mahe ‘Uli’uli Sandhurst Tupouniua, Permanent Representative of Tonga, Chair of the Asia-Pacific States Group Email: tongaunmission@gmail.com
H.E. Mr. Stefan Tafrov, Permanent Representative of Bulgaria, Chair of the Eastern European States Group, Email: bulgaria@un.int
H.E. Mr. Octavio Errázuriz Guilisasti, Permanent Representative of Chile, Chair of the Latin American and Caribbean States Group, Email: chile.un@minrel.gov.cl
H.E. Mr. Jim McLay, Permanent Representative of New Zealand, Chair of the Western European and Other States Group Email: nzpmun@gmail.com
H.E. Samantha Power, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations
H.E. Guillermo E. Rishcynski, Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations
Cc:
H.E. Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General Email: SGCentral@un.org
H.E. Mr. João Soares Da Gama, Permanent Representative of Guinea-Bissau, Chair of the African States Group
Email: guinea-bissau@un.int and guinebissauonu@gmail.com
H.E. Mr. Mahe ‘Uli’uli Sandhurst Tupouniua, Permanent Representative of Tonga, Chair of the Asia-Pacific States Group Email: tongaunmission@gmail.com
H.E. Mr. Stefan Tafrov, Permanent Representative of Bulgaria, Chair of the Eastern European States Group, Email: bulgaria@un.int
H.E. Mr. Octavio Errázuriz Guilisasti, Permanent Representative of Chile, Chair of the Latin American and Caribbean States Group, Email: chile.un@minrel.gov.cl
H.E. Mr. Jim McLay, Permanent Representative of New Zealand, Chair of the Western European and Other States Group Email: nzpmun@gmail.com
H.E. Samantha Power, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations
H.E. Guillermo E. Rishcynski, Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations
###
04 de marzo 2014
Estimados Embajadores,
En nombre del Caucus Indígena de Norte América (NAIPC) para el Foro
Permanente de las Naciones Unidas sobre Cuestiones Indígenas, que se reunió en
Kamloops (Territorio Secwepemc), British Columbia, Canadá, el 1-2 de marzo de
2014, y incluyendo a nuestros representantes en el Grupo Global de Coordinación
para la Reunión de la Alta Plenaria /Conferencia Mundial de los Pueblos
Indígenas (HLPM/WCIP), transmitimos a ustedes el siguiente documento de
consenso:
Las Naciones Unidas tiene el deber de honrar y respetar los derechos fundamentales los derechos de todos los pueblos, consagrados en la Carta de las Naciones Unidas, los Convenios de Derechos Humanos, las Convenciones de la ONU (entre ellos el Convenio 169 de la OIT) y las Declaraciones, incluida la Declaración de la ONU sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas (2007). El 21 de Diciembre de 2010, en A/Res/65/198, la Asamblea General decidió "organizar una reunión plenaria de alto nivel de la Asamblea General, que será llamado como el Conferencia Mundial sobre Pueblos Indígenas, que se celebrará en 2014".
La publicación de la Resolución de la Asamblea General 66/296 de 15 de octubre 2012, en adelante "la Resolución de Modalidades", creyó gran preocupación dentro de NAIPC de que la estructura de la HLPM, y la elaboración del documento final no fueron respetuosos con el principio de la participación plena e igualitaria de los pueblos indígenas. Numerosas naciones indígenas, organizaciones y individuos expresaron su decepción al Presidente de la Asamblea General (PGA), y a distintos los estados miembros. A pesar de sus preocupaciones, NAIPC decidió seguir adelante con su la participación en la Reunión Indígena Global Preparatoria en Alta, Noruega, 10-12 Junio de 2013. El Documento Final de la Alta afirmó cuatro temas principales a ser dirigida por el HLPM, y reiteró que "los derechos inherentes de los pueblos indígenas Pueblos a participar plenamente en la toma de decisiones que nos afecta, continuarán para orientar y enmarcar nuestro trabajo referente el HLPM/WCIP".
Inspirado por las colaboraciones logradas en Alta, NAIPC continuó considerar su posible papel en la HLPM/ WCIP, hasta que el Aide Memoire del PGA de 26 Febrero de 2014. En su comunicado, PGA Ashe dejó en claro que él no va avanzar el principio de la participación plena e igualitaria de los pueblos indígenas en la HLPM/WCIP. La posición del PGA no respeta ni avanza los derechos de los pueblos indígenas que están consagrados en la Declaración sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas. Como consecuencia de la Aide Memoire, el NAIPC aprobó por consenso absoluto, la siguiente resolución en su reunión de 1 a 2 marzo 2014:
En marzo de 2013 , en la reunión NAIPC en Sycuan, establecimos, a través del consenso, las normas de análisis y revisión en relación con la propuesta reunión de la ONU de una plenaria de alto nivel (HLPM), también llamado como el Conferencia Mundial sobre Pueblos Indígenas (CMPI). Estos estándares fueron aplicadas por la delegación indígena de Norte América en la reunión en Alta, Noruega en junio de 2013. Lo fundamental de la posición de NAIPC con respecto a participación de los Pueblos Indígenas en el HLPM es que la participación debe ser PLENA e IGUALITARIA. Hemos decidido en marzo pasado que lo haríamos volver a la cuestión de la HLPM en la reunión de 2014 NAIPC y decidir sobre cualquier otra participación en la planificación o la participación en la HLPM.
En los meses siguientes a la reunión Alta y en particular el 26 de febrero 2013, el Presidente de la Asamblea General (PGA), tiene dejado claro en una Aide Memoire que la participación igualitaria y efectiva los pueblos indígenas no se producirá en el HLPM. Por lo tanto, la Condiciones de NAIPC que se establecieron en la reunión en Sycuan, y que fue reiterado en Alta, no se han respetado y han sido ignorados por la PGA. Debido a esta cadena de acontecimientos, y dada el corte espacio de tiempo entre hoy y la programada HLPM, no prevemos que nuestras condiciones para la participación en pie de igualdad en el HLPM serán cumplidas.
Por lo tanto , la NAIPC hace llamado por la cancelación inmediata de la HLPM por la Asamblea General de la ONU. También hacemos un llamamiento al estado de México para cancelar la reunión técnica prevista para comenzar la redacción del documento final de la HLPM-WCIP; llamamos al Foro Permanente para cancelar cualquier futura participación y preparación adicional o reuniones de asesoramiento para la HLPM. Además, NAIPC avanza la posición a lo largo de Gran Isla Tortuga, y a los Pueblos Indígenas del mundo, para pedir la cancelación de la HLPM, y para retener cualquier y todo apoyo y participación. Hacemos llamamiento a que se retirada de cualquier apoyo, activo o tácito, para el HLPM por los Pueblos Indígenas en cualquier parte del mundo.
Por consenso el texto anterior se acordó y se decidió que el NAIPC exigirá la cancelación de la HLPM y retirar del Grupo de Coordinación Global del HLPM/WCIP. Debra Harry y Kenneth Deer, los dos representantes NAIPC al GCG irá a Nueva York para entregar este mensaje a un grupo de estados el martes 04 de marzo, tras lo cual el NAIPC retira formalmente de la GCG.
Aprobada por aclamación. Caucus Indígena de Norte América (NAIPC) para el Foro Permanente de las Naciones Unidas sobre Cuestiones Indígenas, celebrada en Kamloops (Territorio Secwepemc), British Columbia, Canadá, Domingo, 02 de marzo 2014
Enviado en nombre de todas nuestras relaciones - pasado, presente y futuro.
Debra Harry Janice Makokis
Caucus Co- Coordinadores,
Caucus Indígena de Norte América
H.E. Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General Email: SGCentral@un.org
H.E. Mr. João Soares Da Gama, Permanent Representative of Guinea-Bissau, Chair of the African States Group
Email: guinea-bissau@un.int and guinebissauonu@gmail.com
H.E. Mr. Mahe ‘Uli’uli Sandhurst Tupouniua, Permanent Representative of Tonga, Chair of the Asia-Pacific States Group Email: tongaunmission@gmail.com
H.E. Mr. Stefan Tafrov, Permanent Representative of Bulgaria, Chair of the Eastern European States Group, Email: bulgaria@un.int
H.E. Mr. Octavio Errázuriz Guilisasti, Permanent Representative of Chile, Chair of the Latin American and Caribbean States Group, Email: chile.un@minrel.gov.cl
H.E. Mr. Jim McLay, Permanent Representative of New Zealand, Chair of the Western European and Other States Group Email: nzpmun@gmail.com
H.E. Samantha Power, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations
H.E. Guillermo E. Rishcynski, Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations
(Translation: TONATIERRA)
###
YouTube:
North American Indigenous Peoples Caucus (NAIPC) calls for CANCELLATION of the United
Nations High Level Plenary Meeting (aka the World Conference on Indigenous
Peoples) and withdraws officially from the Global Coordinating Group (GCG):
Arthur Manuel, NAIPC Co-chair March 3, 2014
