Roundtable 2
Implementing the rights of indigenous peoples at the national and local levels
Co-Chairs
- HE Mr. David Choquehuanca, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Plurinational State of Bolivia
- Mr. Joseph Ole Simel, Representative of the African Indigenous Region
Presenters
- Ms. Anna Naikanchina, Representative of the Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Transcauscasia Indigenous Region
- Ms. Soyata Maiga, Commissioner, African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights
- Mr. James Anaya, Former Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Summary of key issues raised:
Roundtable 2 was held on Monday, 22 September 2014 from 3 to 6 pm. The roundtable focused on implementing the rights of indigenous peoples at the national and local levels. In their presentations, various States reaffirmed their support for the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Many speakers also welcomed the Outcome Document and made note of the specific commitments to actions to be taken by States and the United Nations to strengthen implementation of the rights of indigenous peoples at the national and local levels. At the same time, some participants raised issues of concern that were not reflected in the outcome document.
Both Member States and indigenous representatives pointed to advances at the national level in implementing the rights of indigenous peoples. This included the recognition of indigenous peoples and their rights in national constitutions, laws, policies and programmes. The examples identified covered a range of rights, including rights to self-determination; autonomy; lands, territories and resources; consultation and free prior and informed consent; indigenous education and languages; health and traditional medicines; treaty rights; and reconciliation. The examples of positive steps varied among States.
While many noteworthy advances were identified, speakers also referred to ongoing challenges in the implementation of the rights of indigenous peoples across a range of issues and rights. Comments focused on how these continued challenges may be overcome. Several speakers referred to the need for ongoing dialogue between governments and indigenous peoples. In this regard, the participation of indigenous peoples in Parliaments and other political bodies was pointed out as being noteworthy, but more remains to be done to strengthen such participation at the national and local levels. Member States and indigenous representatives also referred to the importance of the development of national action plans and policies related to indigenous peoples, and noted that the commitment in the Outcome Document in this connection is a positive step.
Several speakers referred to the need for broader awareness-raising among government actors, media, and the society at large to change ongoing discriminatory attitudes and prejudices against indigenous peoples among the societies in which they live. These are obstacles to the realization of indigenous peoples rights. The issue of violence against women and girls and the need for concerted action to be taken to address this issue by States and the United Nations was also highlighted by several speakers.
Beyond action and ongoing challenges at the national and local levels, participants at the roundtable also referred to the role of the United Nations system in advancing implementation of the rights of indigenous peoples and the steps it could take to strengthen implementation. The provisions of the Outcome Document referring to enhancing the participation of indigenous representatives at the United Nations were welcomed by both Member States and indigenous representatives. Also, several participants made note of the Outcome Document’s paragraphs regarding using, modifying and improving UN mechanisms to achieve the ends of the Declaration.
Brothers and sisters, to conclude, I would like to ask each one of us, whether States, indigenous peoples or other participants, to join in our energy so that the rights of indigenous peoples can be consolidated and so that the UN will really work on implemented. Each and every one of us has energy, energy which I think is positive, in our hands, there is energy. I hope that all of you will be able that all of you will be able to push what the UN is doing, what our states are doing, and what our indigenous leaders are doing. As indigenous leaders, we must push them, and not just applaud them.
