Native peoples
There are roughly 370 million indigenous people in the world. They include the Innu tribe in Canada, the Bushmen of Botswana and Australia’s Aborigines.
Published 23:14, September the 13th, 2007
United Nations outlines rights of indigenous peoples
BOSTON. The United Nations has adopted a non-binding declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples after 22 years of debate, though the U.S. has voiced its disapproval. The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples asks countries to give tribes more control over the land and resources they traditionally possessed, to return confiscated territory and pay compensation.
The BBC reported yesterday that the General Assembly passed it, with 143 countries voting for it and 11 abstaining.
Four nations with large indigenous populations — Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States — voted against the measure. Those countries said the measure would pit tribal law against national law. A spokesman for Canada’s native communities criticized that nation’s opposition to the plan.
“We’re very disappointed. ... It’s about the human rights of indigenous peoples throughout the world. It’s an important symbol,” said Phil Fontaine, leader of the Assembly of First Nations. Supporters of the declaration said they are under intense pressure as developers, loggers, farmers and miners encroach on their land.
