/* Written 6:54 pm Nov 12, 1992 by hrcoord@igc.apc.org in igc:hr.news */
Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO)
Office of the Secretary General
Postbox 85878
2508 CN The Hague
The Netherlands
Tel: 070 360 33 18
Fax: 070 360 33 46
San Francisco Coordination Office
347 Dolores St., #206
San Francisco, CA 94110
Tel: 415 626 0995
Fax: 415 626 0865
Tartu Coordination Office
Raekoja Platz 8
202400 Tartu, Estonia
Tel: 01434 3 39 44
Summary
Throughout the world, many nations and peoples struggle to regain
their lost countries, maintain their cultural identity, and establish
basic human and economic rights. Some of these groups live under
occupation or have been dispossessed of their countries, while others
are ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples who exist as second-class
citizens on their lands of their ancestors. Most of these nations and
peoples feel isolated in their struggle and have no international
forum in which to be heard.
Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) is an organization
of nations and peoples not adequately represented in the international
community. It was set up by these nations and peoples themselves to
promote their own aspirations through peaceful means. A non-aligned
organization dedicated to non-violent programs and solutions, UNPO offers
an international forum as well as much needed services for those nations
and peoples whose causes and needs are not adequately addressed in
existing international bodies.
UNPO believes that by providing professional assistance to its member
nations and peoples to promote aspirations in legitimate forums and
through nonviolent means, it can reduce the motivation for violence and
improve chances of finding solutions. In addition, UNPO provides a
community of support for those nations and peoples who have long felt
alone in their struggle.
The term "unrepresented nations and peoples" covers a broad spectrum.
The term may include occupied countries, federated states, indigenous
peoples, ethnic or cultural majorities or minorities, or colonies.
Membership
The UNPO is a rapidly growing organization currently consisting of
twenty-six members representing approximately 50 million people. UNPO's
current members are:
Abkhazia
Aborginals
Acheh
Albanians in Yugoslavia
Armenia
Assyria
Belau
Bougainville
Chechenskaya
Chittagong Hill Tracts
Cordillera
Crimea
East Turkestan
Georgia
Greeks in Albania
Iraqi Turkoman
Kurdistan
Mari
South Moluccas
Taiwan
Tataristan
Tibet
West Papua
Zanzibar
Estonia and Latvia, who recently achieved independence, remain Supporting
Members. There are currently 15 Observers, including East Timor, The
Lakota Nation, The All Indian Pueblo Council, The International Indian
Treaty Council, Komi, Karen, Amazonia, Maasai, Barabaig, Quintin Lame and
The Mohawk Nation.
Just as mewmbership in the United Nations does not mean agreement among
member states on each other's objectives, policies, or alliances,
participation in UNPO does not signify any form of alliance or common
purpose except in the promotion of respect for human rights of all
peoples.
Services and Activities
UNPO provides a range of services for UNPO members:
International Forum
Media and Information Services
United Nations Representation
Training Programs in Diplomacy, Non-Violence, and Democracy
Conflict Resolution
Urgent Action Council
Strategic Planning
Election/Referendum Monitoring
Promtion of Human Rights
Cultural Preservation amd Promotion
Protection of the Natural Environment
Research Services
Charter Principles
UNPO is dedicated to the following principles enshrined in its Charter:
*Non-violence
Development and implementation of strategies and policies alternative
to violence.
*Human Rights
Compliance with international accepted Human Rights standards.
*Self-Determination and Democracy
The equal right to self-determination of all peoples and the promotion
of democracy.
*Environmental Protection
The protection of nature and the environment.
*Tolerance
UNPO rejects intolerance. It does not advocate one economic or
political system over another, and bears no favoritism whatsoever
for any religion, ideology, or race.
Organizational Structure and Status
*General Assembly
The General Assembly of representatives of all member nations and peoples
is held annually. The General Assembly is the highest decision-making
organ of UNPO.
*Steering Committee
The Steering committee consists of five to fifteen Members elected by
the General Assembly. It oversees the execution of decisions of the
General Assembly.
*Secretariat
The General Secretary is elected by the General Assembly. He/She heads
the Secretariat headquartered at The Hague. Regional Coordination
Offices exist in San Francisco (USA) and Tartu (Estonia). Additional
offices are planned for Latin America (Costa Rica), Asia, and Africa.
Please contact the nearest office for more information on the work
of UNPO.