New UN forum to give indigenous peoples more clout Source: AAP|Published: Friday July 27, 12:20 PM The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson announced today the creation of a permanent forum for the world's indigenous peoples, which will enhance their position in the UN system. Robinson chose the International Day for Indigenous People to announce the 16member forum, which will focus on marginalisation, racism, poverty and other pressing problems faced by the estimated 300 million members of indigenous groups throughout the world. In a further boost to the place of indigenous people within the United Nations, Robinson announced the appointment of a special UN rapporteur for indigenous issues. Mexican Rodolfo Stavenhagen will take up his post in June next year. "This year will, I think, be remembered as a watershed in indigenous affairs at the United Nations," said Robinson in front of hundreds of representatives of indigenous groups who gathered in the park of the United Nation's European headquarters in Geneva. The indigenous groups have been meeting here since Monday and are to continue talks until tomorrow. "I believe the strength of the forum will derive from both the quality and commitment of the 16 members as well as from the diversity and expertise of the indigenous observer participants," Robinson said. The forum's composition will be decided on December 15 in Geneva and its members will meet for the first time in New York May 617 next year. Robinson also spoke of the "great urgency" to adopt an agreement against discrimination of indigenous peoples at the World Conference Against Racism which will be held in the South African city of Durban from August 31. http://www.theage.com.au/breaking/2001/07/27/FFXLMSLUMPC.html -- ***************************** Join the peoples' movement: The Australian Reconciliation Party http://www.green.net.au/arp/ ***************************** --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------------- RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznet2%40paradigm4.com.au/ until 11 March, 2001 and Recoznettwo is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznettwo%40green.net.au/ from that date. This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use."
