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New Zealand welcomes the new Special Rapporteur on the Fundamental Freedoms and Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Mr James Anaya to the Human Rights Council. With one of the largest indigenous populations in the world, New Zealand places importance on this mandate.
This year, we are celebrating the International Year of Languages. Yet in the case of indigenous languages there is little to celebrate. Indigenous languages are in a state of global decline, with many languages no longer in daily use. This deprives indigenous peoples of an essential symbol and transmission of their culture and identity, as well as restricting their freedom of expression and enjoyment of all basic human rights.
Earlier this year, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held an expert group meeting on indigenous language. We would be grateful for the special Rapporteur’s clarification of priorities for future work, and whether there might be scope to address the question of indigenous language in his work. We would also be interested in his views on the report of the Forum's expert meeting on language.
Secondly, we note that indigenous women were the drivers behind the reversal of indigenous language decline in New Zealand. We would be grateful for the Special Rapporteur’s clarification as to how he intends to implement a gender perspective in the course of his mandate, including consultation with indigenous women leaders and groups.
