It is with particular satisfaction and some surprise that a process
started in 1982 in which the International Bahá'í Community was involved
came to fruition on September 13th, 2007. The satisfaction is obvious,
however, the Governments that opposed it's fruition namely, Canada,
Australia, New Zealand and the United States is surprising. Be as it may
the UN has enshrined in its Constitution that Indigenous peoples Rights
"are" Human rights.
Albert
"The fundamental principle of the oneness of mankind, and the aim of the
Faith to promote unity in diversity, underlie the Bahá'í approach to
indigenous peoples. Their rights are inseparable from human rights for
all, and the Bahá'í Faith upholds the right of indigenous peoples to
develop and take pride in their own identity, culture and language.
Great importance is attached to teaching the Faith to the indigenous
populations in a country, more especially since they have so often been
neglected or downtrodden by other segments of society; in many instances
their suffering has made them particularly receptive to the Message of
Bahá'u'lláh.
...A unique feature of the Bahá'í Administrative Order is the manner in
which it enables all the diverse elements of the Bahá'í community, drawn
from a variety of ethnic, racial, cultural and educational backgrounds,
to work together in a mutually supportive and spiritually beneficial
manner. This is in direct contrast to the declining social order
external to the Bahá'í community, in which each segment seeks to pursue
a separate path in its social and political organization and activities."
(25 July 1995, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
individual believer) [6]
"...the oneness of mankind will not be based on forced assimilation, but
upon protection of cultural diversity. At the same time, however, we
should beware of inadvertently settling upon a limited model, such as
the one sometimes associated in contemporary discourse on
multiculturalism. A distinctively Bahá'í culture will welcome an
infinite diversity in regard to secondary characteristics, but also
firmly uphold unity in regard to fundamental principles, thereby
achieving a vigorous complementarity. For example, in Selections from
the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá (Haifa: Bahá'í World Centre, 1982), page
260-1, we find the following intriguing statement:
What a blessing that will be -- when all shall come together, even as
once separate torrents, rivers and streams, running brooks and single
drops, when collected together in one place will form a mighty sea. And
to such a degree will the inherent unity of all prevail, that the
traditions, rules, customs and distinctions in the fanciful life of
these populations will be effaced and vanish away like isolated drops,
once the great sea of oneness doth leap and surge and roll."
(The Universal House of Justice, 1998 Dec 16, Traditional practices
in Africa)
UN Adopts Historic Statement on Native Rights
Thu Sep 13, 10:05 PM ET
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 13 (OneWorld) - Despite strong objections from the
United States and some of its allies, the UN General Assembly adopted a
resolution Thursday calling for the recognition of the world's 370
million indigenous peoples' right to self-determination and control over
their lands and resources.
The adoption of the Universal Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples comes after 22 years of diplomatic negotiations at the United
Nations involving its member states, international civil society groups,
and representatives of the world's aboriginal communities.
An overwhelming majority of UN member countries endorsed the
Declaration, with 143 voting in favor, 4 against, and 11 abstaining.
The United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand stood alone in
voting against the resolution. The nations that neither supported nor
objected were Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi, Colombia,
Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Russia, Samoa, and Ukraine.
"It's a triumph for indigenous peoples around the world," said UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon after the General Assembly vote. "This
marks a historic moment when member states and indigenous peoples have
reconciled with their painful histories."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/oneworld/20070914/wl_oneworld/45361531601189739282;_ylt=Auvi5jfu8l7szrgEpLorGh0E1vAI
The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto ("e-mail") is sent
by the Johnson County Community College ("JCCC") and is intended to be confidential and
for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by
federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message
is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or
copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please
immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message
and any attachments thereto. Thank you.
________________________________________________________________________
Rights of Indigenous Populations
[BIC Document #88-0801]
Geneva, Switzerland
1-5 August 1988
"Madam Chairman,
At this session, the Working Group has entered a new season in its
endeavors. After six years of careful study of the concrete problems and
issues facing indigenous peoples and their governments, the Working
Group is ready to begin the drafting of an international declaration to
safeguard the rights and promote the status of indigenous peoples.
Throughout these six years, members of the Working Group, and of the
many indigenous organizations that have contributed to its activities,
have shown great dedication, sincerity and good will in forging ahead
with their task. Their efforts are about to bear fruit.
The Bahá'í International Community congratulates you, Madam Chairman, on
preparing a well-conceived draft set of principles as a starting-point
for discussion. We would like to make a few comments on these draft
principles, on the content of a declaration on indigenous rights, and on
the process of drafting the declaration...."
http://www.bic-un.bahai.org/88-0801.htm
___________________________________________________________________________
Albert Verbrugh wrote:
Thu Sep 13, 10:05 PM ET
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 13 (OneWorld) - Despite strong objections from the
United States and some of its allies, the UN General Assembly adopted a
resolution Thursday calling for the recognition of the world's 370
million indigenous peoples' right to self-determination and control over
their lands and resources.
The adoption of the Universal Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples comes after 22 years of diplomatic negotiations at the United
Nations involving its member states, international civil society groups,
and representatives of the world's aboriginal communities.
An overwhelming majority of UN member countries endorsed the
Declaration, with 143 voting in favor, 4 against, and 11 abstaining.
The United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand stood alone in
voting against the resolution. The nations that neither supported nor
objected were Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi, Colombia,
Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Russia, Samoa, and Ukraine.
"It's a triumph for indigenous peoples around the world," said UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon after the General Assembly vote. "This
marks a historic moment when member states and indigenous peoples have
reconciled with their painful histories."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/oneworld/20070914/wl_oneworld/45361531601189739282;_ylt=Auvi5jfu8l7szrgEpLorGh0E1vAI
The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto
("e-mail") is sent by the Johnson County Community College ("JCCC") and
is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or
entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and
state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader
of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that
retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is
strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please
immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently
delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you.
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