Mario Ibarra was elected as the first ever Indigenous Representative ever in
the history of the United Nations as an Alternate Independant Expert to the
Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of
Minorities, in Geneva, Switzerland on March 7th, 1994.
Since arriving in Geneva Mario Iberra, Mapuche, has served with the
Internationl Indian Treaty Council (IITC), a United Nations Non-Governmental
Organization (NGO) with consultative status in the Economic and Social
Council, as a perm-t representative. Elected to a four year term Mario is
one of 26 experts nominated. Although Nominated by Governments, these
experts act in their personal capacity and not as the representatives of
States.
At its first session, in 1947, the U.N. Commission on Human Rights
established the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and
Protection of Minorities " (a) to undertake studies, particularly in the
light of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to make
recommendations to the Commission concerning the prevention of
discrimination of any kind relating to human rights and fundemental freedoms
and the protection of racial, religious and linguistic minorities; and (b)
to preform any other functions entrusted to it by the Economic and Social
Council or by the Commission".
Mr. Mario Iberra, is an Indigenous human rights activist, former prisoner of
war(Santiago, Chile during the United States backed over-throw of the
legitimate government of Chilean President Salvador Allende by General
Pinochett.) historian, journalist, technician on the right to development,
and is a specialist in international human rights.
He can be reached in Geneva at:
International Indian Treaty Council (IITC)
Mr. Mario Iberra
C.P. 25
1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland
Telephone: 011-41-22-731-2907
For more information send a self addresed stamped envelope (SASE) to:
IITC UN Representative
123 Townsend Street Suite 575
San Francisco, CA 94107-9107