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Title: RIO SUMMIT: INDIGENOUS GROUPS APPROVE ''SANTIAGO DECLARATION''
santiago, may 22 (ips) -- representatives of indigenous groups
from the world's five continents have approved a package of
environmental principles and recommendations at the end of a
five-day conference in the chilean capital, santiago.
the so-called ''santiago declaration'', approved friday, is to
be presented at next month's united nations conference on the
environment and development (unced) in rio de janeiro.
the santiago conference on environment and indigenous peoples,
which began monday at the headquarters of the economic commission
for latin america and the caribbean (sela), emphasised the rights
of native peoples as well as their important role in promoting
environmental protection and sustainable development.
the text of the santiago declaration was approved by
indigenous representatives from australia, greenland, norway,
india, brazil, mexico, bolivia, colombia, ecuador, the
philippines, panama, peru, tanzania, new zealand and chile.
''the sustainable and ecologically balanced development
undertaken by indigenous peoples is vital to their survival and
wellbeing as communities and to the sustainability of the
ecosystems upon which they depend,'' the declaration states.
however, the objectives of environmental protection and
sustainable development cannot be achieved unless the rights of
indigenous communities are respected, ''including the restitution
and rehabilitation of their lands and other resources,'' the
document adds.
according to conference spokesman miguel leon, leader of
panama's kuna indians, ''nature and ecology have always meant
life for indigenous people'', while governments are only just
becoming aware of deforestation and environmental destruction.
''we're the real scientists when it comes to protecting the
environment, and not the scientists from the western world. but
until now we've been regarded as mere informants,'' said leon.
julian burger of the geneva-based united nations human rights
centre, and jose begoa, director of the chilean government's
special commission for indigenous peoples (cepi), presented the
conference document together with leon.
the declaration calls for compensation for the injustices
committed against ethnic minorities ''to enable indigenous
communities to live with greater self-sufficiency and dignity.''
during the conference, indigenous leaders and u.n. and
government representatives discussed a wide range of general
environmental problems as well as issues specifically related to
ecology and indigenous groups. (more/ips)
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rio summit: indigenous (2)
the declaration calls for new mechanisms to link ethnic
minorities with governments, the u.n., and international
financial institutions, and stresses the need for effective
participation by indigenous groups in all aspects affecting their
survival as communities and the conservation of their ecosystems.
the ''santiago declaration'' also recommends that the creation
of a special development fund for indigenous peoples of america
and the caribbean, proposed by bolivia, be approved at the second
inter-american presidential summit in july.
(ends/ips/sp/trd/ggr/cg/92)