Intervention by the INDIGENOUS PEOPLES CAUCUS OF THE GREATER CARIBBEAN: Caney Quinto Mundo, Puerto Rico; Guyana Organization of Indigenous Peoples, Guyana; Hoboshirima Arawak Community, Venezuela; United Confederation of Taino People
FIFTH SESSION OF THE UN PERMANENT FORUM ON INDGENOUS ISSUES
25 May 2006
Madam Chair, Distinguished Delegates and Indigenous Representative of the World's Indigenous Peoples, we welcome this opportunity to address Agenda Item 4 (g) the Second International Decade, specifically with respect to the implementation of the Plan of Action, the Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Greater Caribbean* recommends that the Permanent Forum:
1) Under item 15, urge UNESCO to promote and support the recovery of the indigenous heritage, oral tradition and ancient writings of the Indigenous Peoples of the Greater Caribbean region including Puerto Rico, with a view to recognizing them as heritage of humanity under the framework of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage;
2) In accordance with paragraphs 23 & 16, urge UNESCO to hold a special regional meeting with member organizations and communities of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Greater Caribbean and the Caribbean Organization of Indigenous Peoples to facilitate their full and effective participation in its work relating to indigenous Peoples; specifically its programs on endangered languages, education, literacy, nomination of indigenous sites; in the World
Heritage List and other relevant programs;
3) Where ancestral languages of the Greater Caribbean have been replaced by the dominant language or not being used as a result of the actions of governments, assimilation and acculturation policies, the Permanent Forum should urge states, UNESCO and other relevant UN Bodies, to provide the resources, technical, or other assistance necessary to develop in conjunction with them, language, education and cultural exchange programs to restore and revitalize, and strengthen their languages, cultures, traditions and spiritual practices.
4) Under Item 18, urge the Greater Caribbean States, including Puerto Rico, in conjunction with Indigenous Peoples to review all education materials with a view to eliminate any discriminatory and derogatory content and erroneous historical accounts that makes them invisible, subject to ridicule, or in any way misrepresents them and to develop policies and focused programs to reverse these perceptions of indigenous cultures, which are often stereotyped, folklorized and biased.
5) Under item 47, urge that the Indigenous Peoples of the Greater Caribbean region including Puerto Rico be included in programs of education on the human rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the current Indigenous Fellowship Program of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
6) Under item 56, urge the Governments of the Greater Caribbean including Puerto Rico in conjunction with Indigenous Peoples to further develop national legislation for the protection and promotion of human rights, including means of monitoring and guaranteeing those rights and urge that where it is not already the case, like in the case of Puerto Rico, national constitutions recognize the existence of indigenous peoples, and make explicit reference to them, where relevant.
7) To urge the Rio Group to develop policy guidelines in collaboration with the member organizations and communities of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Greater Caribbean and the Caribbean Organization of Indigenous Peoples, and to work closely with the respective governments to use said guidelines in the implementation of their respective regional agreements and to assist in strengthening fair trade and other areas of cooperation among Indigenous Peoples of the region.
8) To invite the Rio Group and the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas to establish and contribute to a special regional fund for Indigenous Peoples Organizations of the Greater Caribbean to attend the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues for the Second Decade.
9) To invite CARICOM, the Rio Group, and the Association of Caribbean States to establish a Fund to assist in the implementation of paragraph (95) of the Programme of Action A/60/270.
10) To recommend to the Governments of the Greater Caribbean especially in Guyana to consider paragraph (19) when implementing tourism initiatives.
11) To recommend to UNESCO in considering the women of the Machusi Language Project in the North Rupununi in Guyana, to attend universities to enhance their teaching skills of the different
indigenous languages in paragraphs (27) and (30) of the Programme of Action.
12) To urge Greater Caribbean governments including Puerto Rico to implement paragraph (31) of the Programme of Action in expanding their state budgetary allocations in order to increase the number of scholarships to indigenous persons.
13) To urge Greater Caribbean governments, CARICOM, Association of Caribbean States and the Rio Group to implement paragraph (39) of the Programme of Action as it relates to the indigenous Communities and the peoples.
14) To urge the Greater Caribbean governments to implement paragraphs 41 (a,b,c)
15) To request the Guyana Government to put in place the Indigenous Peoples Commission and the Toshau Council to implement paragraph (53).
16) To invite the Rio Group, CARICOM and the Association of Caribbean States to work in close collaboration with the Government of Guyana and Indigenous Peoples Organisations to effectively implement paragraph 59 (a,b, c) and paragraph 61.
Bo'Matum (Thank you) for your attention
*The Greater Caribbean is defined here as an area of cooperation in recognition of common ancestral heritages and common geographic spaces shared by the Indigenous Peoples of the region.
Special Note: This intervention was read to the Assembly by Millie Gandia, UCTP Representative
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
IPCGC IMPACTS UNPFII SESSION
Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Fifth Session
9th & 10th Meetings (AM & PM)
Representatives of indigenous and tribal communities today urged the United Nations panel charged with drawing attention to their plight to press Member States to rapidly adopt a long-negotiated draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, as the surest way to promote the human rights of 370 million people worldwide and to protect the fragile traditional lands and resources on which they depended for survival...
The speaker for the Indigenous Peoples of the Greater Caribbean recommended that there be a permanent forum on indigenous issues for several reasons. First, to strengthen cooperation, coordination and capacity-building among indigenous peoples to the greater Caribbean. Second, to facilitate a regional special consultative session to focus on the situation of Caribbean indigenous peoples. Third, to ensure the regional meeting and special consultative session is open to representatives of indigenous organizations from throughout the greater Caribbean region. And finally, to pay particular attention to ensuring access to include equal funding to representatives from the Island of Borike (the Free Associated State of Puerto Rico) to ensure their participation at the regional and special consultative session.
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News Source: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/hr4894.doc.htm
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Fifth Session
9th & 10th Meetings (AM & PM)
Representatives of indigenous and tribal communities today urged the United Nations panel charged with drawing attention to their plight to press Member States to rapidly adopt a long-negotiated draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, as the surest way to promote the human rights of 370 million people worldwide and to protect the fragile traditional lands and resources on which they depended for survival...
The speaker for the Indigenous Peoples of the Greater Caribbean recommended that there be a permanent forum on indigenous issues for several reasons. First, to strengthen cooperation, coordination and capacity-building among indigenous peoples to the greater Caribbean. Second, to facilitate a regional special consultative session to focus on the situation of Caribbean indigenous peoples. Third, to ensure the regional meeting and special consultative session is open to representatives of indigenous organizations from throughout the greater Caribbean region. And finally, to pay particular attention to ensuring access to include equal funding to representatives from the Island of Borike (the Free Associated State of Puerto Rico) to ensure their participation at the regional and special consultative session.
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News Source: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/hr4894.doc.htm
Monday, May 22, 2006
2006 Intervention of the IPCGC to the UNPFII
Intervention of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Greater Caribbean
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 5th Session
Intervention of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Greater Caribbean: Caney Quinto Mundo, Puerto Rico; Guyana Organization of Indigenous Peoples, Guyana; Hoboshirima Arawak Community, Venezuela; United Confederation of Taino People
Monday, 22 May 2006
Plenary Session: Ongoing priorities and themes
Agenda Item 4(b)
With regard to Agenda Item 4(b), we welcome this opportunity to address the human rights of Indigenous peoples specifically as it relates to the Indigenous Peoples of the Greater Caribbean.
With this in mind and in accordance with Item 85 and 86 of the Plan of Action for the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Greater Caribbean recommends that Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues:
1) Hold a Caribbean regional meeting on indigenous issues on the Island of Trinidad among existing organizations to strengthen cooperation, coordination, and capacity building among Indigenous Peoples of the Greater Caribbean.
2) Facilitate Regional Special Consultative Session to focus on the unique situation of Caribbean Indigenous Peoples. Organization and planning of the regional meeting and special consultative session should take place in collaboration with the member organizations and communities represented within the Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Greater Caribbean and the Caribbean Organization of Indigenous Peoples.
3) Ensure the regional meeting and Special Consultative Session is open to representatives of indigenous organizations from throughout the Greater Caribbean region.
4) Pay particular attention to ensuring access including equal funding to representatives from the Island of Borikén (the Free Associated State of Puerto Rico) to ensure their participation at the Regional and Special Consultative Session. Since Puerto Rico is not a member State of any UN or OAS International Bodies, Agencies or Organizations because of its colonial status, Indigenous Representatives have been denied funding by the UN Voluntary Found for Indigenous Peoples to participate in meetings, conferences, regional specific consultations, capacity building opportunities and conferences in Geneva, the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, and elsewhere.
Failure to address the effects of institutionalized colonialism only serves to perpetuate colonialism, and affect our ability to participate effectively within these systems as Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean, which is not the intention of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
5) Encourage the financial contributions and participation of all relevant UN agencies and programs (e.g. UNESCO, UNDP, UNEP, ILO etc.) for the Regional and Special Consultative Session.
6) Invite the Special Rapportuer on the Situation of the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous People to the Special Consultative Session to review the particular situation of indigenous Caribbean communities including their claims that;
a. national laws and policies are discriminatory and inconsistent with International Human Rights laws and standards, as in the case of the recent Amerindian Act of Guyana.
b. The legal and judicial systems discriminate against indigenous peoples asserting, claiming and enjoying their rights to their lands, territories and resources as in the recent case of the Taino Peoples Reclamation of Caguana Ceremonial Grounds in Utuado, Puerto Rico.
7) Specific mention should be made in the fifth session report of the inclusion of the Indigenous Taino Peoples of Borikén (the "free" associated state of Puerto Rico).
8) Call upon States to create adequate mechanisms in conjunction with the Indigenous Peoples of the Greater Caribbean to facilitate uninterrupted communication and border crossings between the Arawak, Carib and Warao Peoples of Venezuela, Guyana, and Surinam, the Taino Peoples of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Dominican Republic, and the Carib Peoples of Dominica and Trinidad who all share common ancestral heritages.
Justification: The Greater Caribbean is defined here as an area of cooperation in recognition of common ancestral heritages and common geographic spaces shared by the Indigenous Peoples of the region.
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 5th Session
Intervention of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Greater Caribbean: Caney Quinto Mundo, Puerto Rico; Guyana Organization of Indigenous Peoples, Guyana; Hoboshirima Arawak Community, Venezuela; United Confederation of Taino People
Monday, 22 May 2006
Plenary Session: Ongoing priorities and themes
Agenda Item 4(b)
With regard to Agenda Item 4(b), we welcome this opportunity to address the human rights of Indigenous peoples specifically as it relates to the Indigenous Peoples of the Greater Caribbean.
With this in mind and in accordance with Item 85 and 86 of the Plan of Action for the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Greater Caribbean recommends that Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues:
1) Hold a Caribbean regional meeting on indigenous issues on the Island of Trinidad among existing organizations to strengthen cooperation, coordination, and capacity building among Indigenous Peoples of the Greater Caribbean.
2) Facilitate Regional Special Consultative Session to focus on the unique situation of Caribbean Indigenous Peoples. Organization and planning of the regional meeting and special consultative session should take place in collaboration with the member organizations and communities represented within the Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Greater Caribbean and the Caribbean Organization of Indigenous Peoples.
3) Ensure the regional meeting and Special Consultative Session is open to representatives of indigenous organizations from throughout the Greater Caribbean region.
4) Pay particular attention to ensuring access including equal funding to representatives from the Island of Borikén (the Free Associated State of Puerto Rico) to ensure their participation at the Regional and Special Consultative Session. Since Puerto Rico is not a member State of any UN or OAS International Bodies, Agencies or Organizations because of its colonial status, Indigenous Representatives have been denied funding by the UN Voluntary Found for Indigenous Peoples to participate in meetings, conferences, regional specific consultations, capacity building opportunities and conferences in Geneva, the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, and elsewhere.
Failure to address the effects of institutionalized colonialism only serves to perpetuate colonialism, and affect our ability to participate effectively within these systems as Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean, which is not the intention of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
5) Encourage the financial contributions and participation of all relevant UN agencies and programs (e.g. UNESCO, UNDP, UNEP, ILO etc.) for the Regional and Special Consultative Session.
6) Invite the Special Rapportuer on the Situation of the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous People to the Special Consultative Session to review the particular situation of indigenous Caribbean communities including their claims that;
a. national laws and policies are discriminatory and inconsistent with International Human Rights laws and standards, as in the case of the recent Amerindian Act of Guyana.
b. The legal and judicial systems discriminate against indigenous peoples asserting, claiming and enjoying their rights to their lands, territories and resources as in the recent case of the Taino Peoples Reclamation of Caguana Ceremonial Grounds in Utuado, Puerto Rico.
7) Specific mention should be made in the fifth session report of the inclusion of the Indigenous Taino Peoples of Borikén (the "free" associated state of Puerto Rico).
8) Call upon States to create adequate mechanisms in conjunction with the Indigenous Peoples of the Greater Caribbean to facilitate uninterrupted communication and border crossings between the Arawak, Carib and Warao Peoples of Venezuela, Guyana, and Surinam, the Taino Peoples of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Dominican Republic, and the Carib Peoples of Dominica and Trinidad who all share common ancestral heritages.
Justification: The Greater Caribbean is defined here as an area of cooperation in recognition of common ancestral heritages and common geographic spaces shared by the Indigenous Peoples of the region.
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