Statements and Speeches by Ministry Representatives 2004

United Nations General Assembly, 59th Session, 3rd Committee. Item 102 Programme of Activities for the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples

Statement by the New Zealand Representative, Ms Lisa Futschek, 22 October 2004

Mr Chairman

Too many of the world’s indigenous peoples continue to suffer discrimination or, worse, to have their fundamental rights grossly abused.

New Zealand has long supported an elaboration of the rights of indigenous peoples, Mr Chairman. We have been frustrated by the slow pace of negotiations on the draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. and, we have been frustrated also by the failure of some States and some indigenous groups to recognise that the draft text under discussion will require amendments if the international community is to endorse a new standard of achievement for indigenous peoples. No amendments will effectively mean no Declaration.

In September, Mr Chairman, New Zealand with six other countries tabled an amended text of the draft Declaration. These amendments seek to ensure a Declaration is consistent with international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The amendments aim to protect individual, collective and third party rights. and, they address the need to safeguard the territorial integrity and political unity of States as well as the responsibility of governments to govern for the general welfare of all their citizens in the exercise of self-determination.

We are pleased with the positive response to this initiative. The last meeting of the Working Group saw the prospect of agreement on over half the articles for a Declaration. The negotiations will continue again shortly in Geneva. It will be important to build on the progress and momentum of that recent session. Endorsing a new standard of achievement for indigenous peoples must be the immediate priority on the international indigenous agenda, Mr Chairman.

New Zealand has been following the debate on whether to have a second International Indigenous Decade. We do not believe that declaring “decades” and “years” is a substitute for real action. If there is to be another indigenous decade, it will have to be shaped squarely around the work of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. and, it must focus seriously on practical results and outcomes. Seminars, workshops and studies will just not deliver the results indigenous peoples are seeking. and, declaring decades can be no substitute for action by States in ensuring human rights standards are met for all people.

Mr Chairman, in moving the indigenous agenda forward, the lead role lies with the pre-eminent UN body, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. New Zealand continues to be a strong supporter of the Forum. We are pleased that its dynamic, constructive and increasingly more focussed approach has overtaken the ineffectual Working Group on Indigenous Populations.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

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