* The EC and indigenous peoples' rights- what 1993 can change.
[This letter has been circulated to a number of NGO's, together with an
article explaining why it is important that the EC should now recognize
indigenous rights, and take these rights into account in its own policies-
including development aid policies, trade policies and policies affecting
the activities of european companies abroad. The full text is available from
the European Alliance with Indigenous Peoples, 20 Keltenlaan, 1040 Brussels,
Belgium. Both texts are also available in French.]
* "It is urgent to start on the path of dignity and freedom" Marcos Terena,
Brazilian indigenous leader, to the European Parliament- January 1993.
A year after the EarthSummit recognized the special role indigenous peoples
have to play in sustainable development, the World Conference on Human
Rights (Vienna, 14-25 June) is to discuss the International Year of the
World's Indigenous Peoples.
This conference provides an opportunity for the European Community to
recognize indigenous peoples' specific rights: to own and control their
lands collectively; to maintain and develop their cultures; and their right
to self-determination. Such a recognition, in words and in deed, is a
necessary step towards the "New Partnership" advocated by the UN.
* Why?
While indigenous peoples' fundamental rights are still being systematically
denied through the use of violence and other means in many countries, the
EC's policies take no account of their rights and often undermine these
peoples' ability to look after themselves and their environment.
A statement by EC ministers would be an important moral commitment, which
the EC could be held accountable to in the future. It would provide a basis
to ensure that any rainforest policy promotes indigenous peoples'
livelihood. It would help make indigenous peoples part of the EC's new human
rights policy, thus enabling the European institutions to raise issues
relating for indigenous peoples' rights with the countries where violations
are perpetrated. A statement in Vienna will also serve as a basis for a
future EC policy to promote the rights of indigenous peoples.
* What chances are there of the EC supporting indigenous rights?
The EC is likely to make a statement- the question is, what rights will it
recognize to indigenous peoples?
During the last World Conference PrepCom, EC Member States made a joint
statement which mentions indigenous peoples as one area of "particular
concern", and which considers that the final Conference document should
include provisions for supporting the rights of indigenous peoples.
Furthermore, the current Danish EC presidency is fairly open to the idea,
and would probably support it.
June 1993 will see the conjunction between the Indigenous Year and the World
Conference on Human Rights. This will be an ideal opportunity to obtain a
commitment from our governments concerning indigenous peoples' rights
* How?
The Foreign Ministers of the EC's Member States coordinate their work
relating to the conference preparation within a body called the European
Political Cooperation (EPC). This body is responsible for the EC's foreign
policies, including human rights.
* Please write to your minister for foreign affairs, either at the EPC
address in Brussels, or at his ministry, asking him:
To propose that the EC should put forward under point 8 of the agenda at the
World Conference on Human Rights a statement recognizing the rights of
indigenous peoples. These include: the right to self-determination which
they share with all other peoples and the rights to own and benefit from
their lands and to preserve and develop their cultures, languages and
religions. In the case of indigenous peoples, land and culture are a
prerequisite to physical and cultural survival.
It is also useful to put these rights in context, and to illustrate them
with specific examples of violations of indigenous rights.
Please write to your Minister for Foreign Affairs- or better still, send a
fax:
Belgium Mr CLAES
Ministere des Affaires Et
Rue des Quatre Bras, 2
1000 Bruxelles
Fax: (322) 514 30 67
Phone: (322) 516 81 11
Denmark Mr Helveg PETERSEN
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asiatisk Plads 2
1448 Copenhagen K
Fax: (45) 31 54 05 33
Spain M. Javier SOLANA MADARIAGA
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
La Plaza de la Provincia 1
28012 Madrid
Fax: (34 1) 365 38 61
Phone: (34 1) 366 48 00
France M. Alain JUPPE
Ministere des affaires etrangeres
37 Quai d'Orsay
750 77 Paris
Fax: (33 1) 45 51 60 12
Phone: (33 1) 47 53 53 53
Germany Mr Klaus KINKEL
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
99103 Adenauerallee
5300 Bonn 1
Fax: (49 228) 17 34 02
Phone: (49 228) 170
Greece Mr Michael PAPACONSTANTINOU
Academias 1
106 71 Athens
Fax: (30 1) 36 24 195
Phone: 36 23 401
Ireland Mr Dick SPRING
Dept of Foreign Affairs
80 Stephen Green
Dublin 2
Fax: (353 1) 671 71 49
Phone: (353 1) 478 08 22
Italia M Nino ANDREATTA
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Piazza le della Farnesina
Roma
Fax: (396) 32 22 850
Luxem- Dr Jacques F. POOS
bourg Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres
Ht-Maximin 5
Rue Ne
2911 Luxembourg
Fax: (352) 222 31 44
Phone: (352) 478 23 01
Nether- Mr P.H. KOOIJMANS
lands Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Bezuidenhoutseweg 67
2500 EB The Haag
Fax: (31 70) 34 84 848
Phone: (31 70) 34 86 486
Portugal M. Jose Manuel DURAO BARROSO
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Largo Do Rilvas
1300 Lisboa
Fax: (351 1) 60 97 08
Phone: (351 1) 396 50 41
United Mr Douglas HURD
Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
London SW1A 2A8
Fax: (44 71) 270 21 44
Phone: (44 71) 270 20 5rBaddress in Brussels is:
European Political Cooperation
170 rue de la Loi
1048 Brussels
Belgium
Please also send a copy of your message to the Alliance or otherwise let us
know that you would like to hear about the outcome.