And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: >From BIGMTLIST [EMAIL PROTECTED] Some of you may have seen this posted on other lists. I did not post it at first because I felt that PUBLIC criticism of Mr. Amor's report would do more harm then good, and creating an adversarial relationship with the UN could adversely affect obtaining help from them in the future. I have since consulted with Action Resource Center concerning this and received this reply: "From our discussions with Mr. Amor's office, he has no problem with public critique of his work. He cannot however, for undisclosable reasons, cite the US Government for Violations of Religious Freedoms of Native American People. We can call for that to the General Assembly, and do so without persecuting Mr. Amor, but criticism is fine, as long as it is diplomatic, truthful and passionate. ... know that they can comment on it (the report), and have their points of view given directly to Mr. Amor and the Geneva Assembly by the Dine' in April." Therefore, I would encourage anyone who wishes to comment on the report to send these comments to Action Resource Center (not to me). Thanks. ----------------------------------------------------- From: "Action Resource Center" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: UN Report on Religious Intolerance, Please Distribute to All Indigenous Tribes and Individuals Date: Fri, 26 Mar 1999 11:20:36 -0800 Please contact Action Resource Center with any questions or comments: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or contact (310) 396-3254 for Los Angeles Action Resource Center, Kim Mizrahi or Jennafer Waggoner United Nations Report on Religious Intolerance � 55th session This is the URL web address for the report: http://www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/0811fcbd0b9f6bd58025667300306dea /3129ccf9f586f71680256739003494e4?OpenDocument#IC (Note: This report is on the Big Mountain Relocation Resistance web site at this URL: http://www.theofficenet.com/~redorman/amor_report.htm) We are contacting you because you are either one of many people mentioned in a Special Report on Religious Intolerance in the United States by Mr. Abdelfattah Amor or you are a Indigenous Group that may have concerns about the implications this report has. We would like for you to read this United Nations Report and to please respond. We have several reasons why we think everyone should have a response to this letter. Whatever you decide your response will be, please e-mail us a copy. If you want your letter to go with the Delegation of Dine' Elders who are traveling to Geneva to address the UN Assembly and have an itinerary with Mr. Amor and UN NGOs, they will distribute your responses, if you have them to us by the 2nd Week in April. Please have them on your groups letterhead and fax them to (310) 392-9965. We believe this report should be publicly criticized because: 1. There is no recommendation for citation of the United States for Religious Intolerance on any of the cases mentioned. Many of you have suffered horrible indignities at the hands of the US Governments, though they may be mentioned, this report does not damage the US Government�s credibility. No accusations are brought forth �A slap in all of our faces� 2. Other Reasons include: Some issues are made out to be intertribal disputes, when there is evidence to the contrary. Particular problems with the BIA are not mentioned. Particular episodes with the US government, i.e. specific incidences of violence against us for valid cases of religious intolerance are not outlined in detail. No resolution or action recommended. Corporations in collusion with the US government to take away natural resources without regard to religious tolerance are not mentioned. Land Based Religion is not mentioned or defined, basis for existence not mentioned. There are very important statements that are made by this report. One is a case is brought forward for Native People�s religious expressions in Prison. The other is the statement that there is no other religious intolerance in the United States except against Native American People. There is a little more. So if you want the full report, check out the URL above. If you want to only look at Section C, which specifically details Native issues check out this URL Listed below is a quick reference for the full report. Listed underneath that is what we have pulled out of the report, that we feel is relevant, so that you can have a quick reference to the information. Here we go� The United Nations Report on Religious Intolerance Cliff Note Guide!!! You should read the entire report, obviously to read what Mr. Amor states about other religions and to what depth he speaks of other groups. We have outlined, for your speed reading convenience the paragraphs we have found during our reading that may be of specific interest to you and your cause. Report number 5. You should pay special attention to the fact that Mr. Amor feels he has been �hindered� in being able to gather evidence for the report. In particular he mentions a �series of obstacles�, �various attempts to interfere and take control of his program�, to undermine his report. Legal Situation in the Field of Religion or Belief Section 7-28 is for everyone to read carefully. 31. Of Native American Concerns. C. Situation of the Native Americans 52-69 Needs to be reviewed by all. 52. 53. Native Americans the community facing the most problematic situation... 54. Ceremonial Rites, Creation Myths. 55. A condensed paragraph on Native American�s Right to Religion 56. American Cases, policy, etc. brief. 57. weaknesses and gaps... 58. �No action clause, needs legal teeth...� 59. Indian Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Eagle Feathers, Need for protection of Native Americans incarcerated... 60. Legal System: mentions Black Hills. 61. Actually almost quotable and usable for our collective purposes. 62. Mentions many tribes and their issues, rather briefly. 63. Mentions Black Mesa. Seems to regard problem as intertribal dispute, rather than a Government and Corporation collaboration to strip resources from Indigenous Peoples. Apache Nation. 64. Ceremonial Instruments. 65. Native American Prisoners. 66. Children asked to cut their hair. 67. State Department claims progress for greater protection and autonomy for indigenous peoples. 68. Policy as �destructive towards Native Americans and biased in favour of the country�s economic interests. President Clinton�s administration claims they have Native American�s Interests at heart. 69. Problems with courts and Public Services. Sacred Sites not located on Native Property. III. Conclusions and Recommendations 74. As far as tolerance and non-discrimination based on religion or belief are concerned, the Special Rappateur notes that... �the actual situation in the United States in the field of Tolerance and Non-Discrimination is in general satisfactory. There are nevertheless some evident exceptions, particularly that of Native Americans. (No action specified, no continuation of protocol for furthering investigations, nothing.) 79. READ THIS. Process of Assimilation as Genocide. 80. read this, very important about Native Legislation, Executive Order on Indian Sacred Sites lacks �legal teeth�. Actions are needed, tribal consultations are recommended with tribal governments, but no real action from the report. 81. Regards incompatibility between state, federal and local laws in regards to Native Religion. 82. Regards Conflicts in Sacred Sites. 83. Mount Graham Apaches and Black Mesa-Hopi and Dine�Recommendations. 84. Native American Prisoners. 85. More can be done. 86. Education., encouraging a culture of tolerance. 87. Media Campaign for greater sensitivity. 88. The value of interdenominational dialogue. ______________________________________ A C T I O N R E S O U R C E C E N T E R Box 2104, Venice, CA 90294 310.396.3254 (voice) * 310.392.9965 (fax) [EMAIL PROTECTED] * http://www.arcweb.org Mission: To spearhead and support campaigns that protect the environment, human rights and social justice; and to provide training and coordination for grassroots organizing, education and non-violent direct action. PGP key available ______________________________________ ******************************************** You are on the BIGMTLIST, a moderated mailing list of Big Mountain relocation resistance information (not discussion or debate). To unsubscribe, email [EMAIL PROTECTED] with "unsubscribe" in the subject header. For non-list members receiving this post as a forwarded message, you may subscribe by emailing [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word "subscribe" in the subject header. For Big Mountain and other activist internet resources, visit "The Activist Page" at http://www.theofficenet.com/~redorman/welcome.html Also, for great internet tools please visit: http://www.msw.com.au/cgi-bin/msw/entry?id=1271 ******************************************** &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
