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A message from Reconciliation Australia, Sept 2007
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Reconciliation Australia welcomes the passing of the UN Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Reconciliation Australia Director and member of the UN Permanent Forum
on Indigenous Issues Professor Mick Dodson says, "It's an historic day
for the world's Indigenous peoples. This is a landmark recognition of
our rights that has been a long time in coming.
"The declaration is the product of 20 years of deliberation and
discussion and sets a baseline of human rights standards for Indigenous
people internationally," Professor Dodson said. "It's quite remarkable
that this declaration received more voter support that the UN
Declaration on Human Rights.
Our congratulations to all the Indigenous people from around the world
who've worked so hard over two decades to achieve this significant
declaration. They deserve our heartfelt appreciation."
The declaration was voted for by 143 countries with only four, including
Australia, voting against it. "I'm disappointed that Australia belonged
to the small minority opposing the declaration," Professor Dodson said.
"At this critical time when Indigenous rights need to be recognised and
respected more than ever, it's saddening that Australia failed to stand
up. We should be leading the world in this area.
"The near-unanimous international support for this declaration tells us
that countries around the world are recognising the importance of
affirming and enshrining Indigenous peoples' rights. They are responding
to the strong voices of Indigenous people calling for more recognition
and more decision-making power.
"This declaration is not about Indigenous separatism; rather it lays
down an internationally endorsed rights benchmark for Indigenous people,
of whom there are 370 million globally," Professor Dodson said. Ban
Ki-moon, chief of the UN, described the vote as a "moment when UN member
states and Indigenous peoples have reconciled with their painful
histories and are resolved to move forward together on the path of human
rights, justice and development for all."
Contact: Claire Tedeschi 0418 633 277
Reconciliation Australia
Ph: +61 2 6273 9200 Fx: +61 2 6273 9201
http://www.reconciliation.org.au
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