Third session of the Human Rights Council:
November 27 - December 8 2006
In Geneva, the Human Rights Council continues to work on the development of its institutions, but without much success. No fixed agenda has been adopted, and the Working Group charged with creating one, as well as an annual program of work and working methods, will reconvene in January. The Working Group on the review of mechanisms and mandates, upon which the creation of an “indigenous peoples” body specifically depends, will reconvene in February. The seven statements by indigenous delegates, reiterating the position of the Indigenous Caucus regarding the position of indigenous peoples in the HRC, were assented to by Switzerland alone. This means that indigenous peoples ought to thoroughly plan out their time in Geneva, if they do not want to miss out on their admittance to the HRC. Working together with the major human rights NGOs could also be considered; these organisations might then advocate in the Working Groups and in intersessionnal consultations.
All
documents concerning the HCR sessions can be found on the Extranet site of the
High Commissioner on Human Rights www.ohchr.org
which is particularly clear and well provided. Passwords can easily be obtained.
Below
we only retain the resolutions, decisions and statements from, mentioning or of
direct interest for Indigenous peoples.
Among the
adopted decisions :
A(HRC/3/L.3 :
Global effort for the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive follow-up to the WCAR
and the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of
Action.
A/HRC/3/L.2 :
Preparations for the
Durban Review Conference
A draft decision
has been postponed to the 4th session :
A/HRC/2/L.43
Draft decision (Item 2) : The rights of Indigenous peoples (about
the Declaration)
Wednesday,
29 November : Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner
Oral
statement of Iran mentioning the HC visit to
Canada and the situation of Indigenous peoples in this country.
Joint
NGO Statement: Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l’amitié entre les
peuples (MRAP), Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Network, Asian Forum for
Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Society for Threatened Peoples,
International Fellowship of Reconciliation, Interfaith International,
Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT), Pax Romana, International
Educational Development, International Federation for the Protection of the
Rights of Ethnic, Religious, Linguistic and other Minorities, France Libertés
– Fondation Danielle Mitterrand, Habitat International Coalition, Saami
Council, Fédération internationale des mouvements d’adultes ruraux
catholiques (FIMARC), Rights and Democracy – Droits et Démocratie,
Transnational Radical Party about the shooting of Tibetan people.
Joint
statement :
the Tupaj Amaru Movement and the World Peace Council about the genocide
of the Palestinian people
Rights
of reply : Canada on the statement of Iran
Thursday,
November 30 : Working methods and agenda of the Human Rights Council
Joint
statement : International Organization of Indigenous Resource
Development and International Indian Treaty Council about the Global Indigenous
Peoples Caucus position on the HRC methods pertaining to Indigenous peoples
human rights
Friday,
December 1st : Follow up to HRC decisions
Statement
of Guatemala on the non adoption of the
Declaration by the 3rd UNGA Commission
Statement
of Brazil on the same issue (not available)*
Joint
Statement of International Organization of Indigenous Resource Development
and International Indian Treaty Council on the same issue
Intervention
of the International Service for Human Rights on the
same issue
Joint
Intervention : the Indian Council of South America
and Indigenous Peoples and Nations Coalition on the same issue
Intervention
of Tupaj Amaru Movement on the same issue
Rights
of reply of Canada : (not available)*
Monday, December 4 : Progress report and
further discussion of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review
Joint
statement : Indian Council of South America,
Indigenous Peoples and Nations Coalition on the non respect of the
recommendations of the Treaty Bodies.
Joint
statement : International Organization of Indigenous Resource
Development and International Indian Treaty Council about the Global Indigenous
Peoples Caucus position on the HRC methods pertaining to Indigenous peoples
human rights
Thursday, December 7
Statement by the Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action (FAIRA)
Friday, December 8 : Implementation
of General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006 entitled “Human Rights
Council”
Statement
of Ecuador on the non adoption of the Declaration by
the 3rd Commission of the UNGA
Statement
of Mexico on the same issue
Statement
of Norway on the same issue
Statement
of Peru on the same issue
Statement
of Denmark on the same issue (not available)*
Statement
of Guatemala on the same issue (not available)*
Statement
of Jordan on the same issue (not available)*
Statement
of Spain on the same issue (not available)*
Statement
of Switzerland on the same issue and on the position of the Indigenous peoples
in the HRC (not available)*
Statement by the Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action (FAIRA)
*The
summaries of non available statements can be found in the United
Nations office in Geneva website
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