Every April, the United Nations bustles with activity and energy as Indigenous representatives from around the world convene in New York for the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). Since its establishment in 2001, the Permanent Forum has offered a crucial opportunity for representatives of Indigenous Peoples to assemble to share best practices and strategize for the advancement of their human rights under international law. Canadian Friends Service Committee holds the mandate from the world body of Friends, through Friends World Committee for Consultation, to lead engagement on Indigenous Issues at the UN. During the Forum, CFSC works in partnership with members of the Coalition for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the Coalition) to advance Indigenous rights globally. QUNO assists CFSC and the advocacy of Indigenous representatives by offering Quaker House as a welcoming space to gather outside UN meetings. This year, Quaker House hosted caucuses of Indigenous youth; Indigenous representatives; and the Coalition for discussions on the Forum’s theme and on Indigenous peacebuilding.
The 24th UNPFII took place under the theme, “Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within United Nations Member States and the United Nations system, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges.” The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the Declaration) was adopted by the General Assembly in 2007, after years of advocacy by Indigenous Peoples. It affirms the rights of Indigenous Peoples under existing international law and enshrines those principles as they apply equally to the diversity of Indigenous Peoples worldwide. The Declaration presents minimum standards which states should implement to ensure the security and respect of Indigenous Peoples and serves as an advocacy tool for campaigns to strengthen domestic legal protections.
In international agreements and legislation within states regarding Indigenous rights, precise language becomes crucial to ensuring their protection. Article 1 of the UN Charter establishes the “principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.” This international legal language is precise in its designation of rights to “peoples,” as opposed to “people.” The plurality recognizes that while all people in the global community are accorded equal rights as individuals, there exists a multiplicity of nations and states representing groups of people, which also hold rights under international law. Subsequent resolutions, treaties, and other agreements must mirror the usage of peoples with an “s” to advance and codify unique Indigenous rights related to self-determination.
At the UNPFII in April, a statement made by the Coalition emphasized the need for greater cooperation with Indigenous Peoples as the basis for states’ implementation of the Declaration. Noting the realities of resistance to Indigenous rights, it asserted, “To overcome the challenge of entrenched, systemic discrimination, States must commit to work, meaningfully and respectfully, in genuine cooperation with Indigenous Peoples, consistent with the Declaration.” Implementation of the Declaration remains far from finished as Indigenous Peoples around the world face challenges to their sovereignty over traditional lands, barriers to the exercise of their political rights, and suppression of their cultures and languages. Spaces like the UNPFII offer an opportunity to coalesce around progress and to find new avenues to accelerate the protection and affirmation of Indigenous Peoples in years to come. QUNO is very glad to use our time, energy, and space in support of the work of our Quaker and Indigenous partners seeking such progress during the Permanent Forum.
