The following extracts have been taken from a weekly newsletter put out by
John Tovey, with his kind permission. C. de Raadt.
*********************** Circular Letter (13) **************************
* On behalf of NGAA KAIWHAKANEKENEKE c/- John Tovey *
* E-Mail: johnt@raumati.wgtn.planet.co.nz 30 Gavin Rd, Raumati *
* Ph: (04)297-2216 (04)237-9350 faxes by appointment *
***********************************************************************
Sunday 15th October 1995 15 Whiringa-Aa-Nuku 1995
Kia ora ki a koutou e maatakitaki mai ana. Ka nui ngaa mihi o te wiki nei.
1. TREATY FOR A LIFE FORMS PATENT-FREE PACIFIC (& Related Protocols)
> From aroham@nzonline.ac.nz Mon Oct 9 10:18:19 1995
Please advise the network that if they are interested in pursuing cultural
and intellectual property issues of indigenous peoples (eg Patent of Hagahai
man from PNG) the Mataatua Declaration Association is focussed on these
issues. Am sending by mail a copy of the TREATY FOR A LIFEFORMS PATENT-FREE
PACIFIC AND RELATED PROTOCOLS which a group of us worked on earlier this
year. Organisations are being asked to sign and promote its objectives.
All signed copies to be deposited with me (address listed below) in order
that an up to date list can be kept (for lobbying and educational purposes).
Maori Congress, Mataatua Declaration and Te Runanga O Ngati Awa have all
signed.
The Treaty is for everyone in the Pacific
- Maori, Pakeha, Pacific Nations people. Everyone who wants to ensure
the integrity of Pacific heritage stays here with those who value it
as heritage not as $$$$$$$$$.
==> Editorial insert
Please contact Aroha if you want to see a copy of the Treaty and
Protocols (10 x A4). The overall objective of the package is to
establish the Pacific as a lifeforms patent-free zone by way of
regional agreements and national laws.
There are currently two Protocols:
Protocol Concerning Biological Prospecting In The Pacific, &
Protocol Concerning Human Genetic Research In The Pacific.
Any organised body of people from within the Pacific, (including
Aotearoa), having charge over it's own affairs and a structure of
leadership, which is constituted according to law or custom and:
* has a commitment to the advancement of indigenous peoples
* and has a genuine intention of carrying out the obligations
contained in the Treaty and Protocols may sign and become a
'Party' to them.
Copies of the
TREATY FOR A LIFEFORMS PATENT-FREE PACIFIC AND RELATED PROTOCOLS
Available from: Aroha Te Pareake Mead (aroham@nzonline.ac.nz)
P.O. Box 13-177
Johnsonville, Wellington
AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND
Aroha Te Pareake Mead is Maori, Director of the Mataatua Declaration on
the Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights of Indigenous peoples,
Board Member of Cultural Suvival and of the Indigenous Peoples
Biodiversity Network. She is also Foreign Policy Convenor for Maori
Congress (assembly of Maori tribes of NZ), and for her tribe (Ngati
Awa). She is an active participant since 1988 in the UN-WGIP meetings,
member of NZ delegation throughout the UNCED process, participant in CBD
meetings. She liaises with GRAIN, Oxford (Darrell Posey), RAFI and the
South and Meso American Indian Rights Centre.