And now:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (S.I.S.I.S.) writes: S.I.S.I.S. note: Canada refused to provide copies of their statements to the NetWarriors Team, forcing a transcription to be made from an incomplete tape, demonstrating once more an unwillingness to participate in a transparent process. DEMAND THAT CANADA ADOPT THE UN DRAFT DECLARATION AS IS! Full text available in English at: http://www.hookele.com/netwarriors/dec-En.html in Spanish at: http://www.hookele.com/netwarriors/dec-Es.html Prime Minister Jean Chretien: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lloyd Axworthy: Minister of External Affairs: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Robert Fowler: Canada's Ambassador to the UN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (at the UN sessions in Geneva) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sun, 3 Jan 1904 04:03:54 +0100 From: NetWarriors/WarriorNET Network <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: CANADA ON SELF-DETERMINATION DAY 6 Statement of Canada on Self-determination UN Working Group on the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples December 7, 1998 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The issue of self-determination is of fundamental importance to Indigenous Peoples and is central to the Draft Declaration. Canada spoke at length about our understanding of the evolving nature of this right at the Second Meeting of the Working Group in 1996, and our statement from that year remains the definitive expression of Canada's position. However, I would likely to briefly restate a number of key points which are drawn from it. The right of self-determination is set out in Article 1 of the two international covenants. We recognize that this right applies equally to all collectivities, indigenous and non-indigenous, which qualify as peoples under international law. Neither the term self-determination nor peoples is clearly defined under international law. Traditionally, the right of self-determination has been understood to apply to the entire population of a state and to peoples in a colonial situation where it was equated essentially with the right to statehood. The question raised by the Draft Declaration is whether the right also exists to peoples, including indigenous peoples, living within an existing democratic state, and if so, what that right consists of. A survey of state documents and academic literature suggests the continuing evolution in the understanding of the right of self-determination. In addition, over the past several years, we have witnessed an evolution in the views of some states as a result of the discussion in this working group. Self-determination is now seen by many as an on-going right which can continue to be enjoyed in the functioning of a democracy, without threatening the political or territorial integrity of the state. For its part, the government of Canada accepts the right of self-determination for indigenous peoples which respects the political, constitutional and territorial integrity of democratic states. We see no necessary incompatibility between the maintenance of the territorial integrity of the state and the right of peoples to attain the full measure of self- determination. A state whose government represents the will of the people or peoples resident within its territory, on a basis of equality and without discrimination, and respect the principles of self-determination in ts own internal arrangements is entitled to the protection, under international law, of its territorial integrity. In this context the right of self-dtermination is intended to promote harmonious relations between states and indigenous peoples. Exercise of the right must therefore involve negotiations between the states and indigenous peoples. These negotiations will need to take account of the jurisdiction, responsibilities and competence of governments, as well as..." ---------------------------------------------------- notice The statement ended shortly after this; unfortunately my tape ran out before the government representative finished speaking. My sincere apologies. If any of you out there can get a complete copy, that would be extremely helpful. Thank you. Val ____________________________________________________ Dedication to Solidarity >< Calling for World Action >>>>>>>>>>> NetWarriors <<<<<<<<<<< http://hookele.com/netwarriors Peace without Truth is Genocide Una Paz sin la Verdad es Genocidio La paix sans la verite est Genocide >>>>>><<<<<<< Subscribe to WarriorNET A discussion listserve dedicated to Indigenous Solidarity SUBSCRIBE? Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED], no subject in the header and in the body write: subscribe warriornet your email addresss :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL: [EMAIL PROTECTED] WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html SOVERNET-L is a news-only listserv concerned with indigenous sovereigntist struggles around the world. To subscribe, send "subscribe sovernet-l" in the body of an email message to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For more information on sovernet-l, contact S.I.S.I.S. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
