[Gcap-mujeres] MARTA---saludos

[marta benavides]

dear friends .salud..hope the best for the new yr...i am wkng as always, so 
hard, and now besides i have opened the cultural center and the museum, and 
continue with all the other wk on organic agriculture, eco house, 
permaculture, and lots of trainings..and i have inherited a son, a 16 yr old 
street boy who is a challange but we have a deal, he must really wk and 
study, and he can stay with me..he is nice and bright but very difficult 
too...love..marta
Indigenous Peoples: Message to UN General Assembly

December 30, 2006

H.E. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa of Bahrain
President, United Nations General Assembly
United Nations
New York, New York 10017

Your Excellency:

We, the undersigned Indigenous peoples, nations and organizations, are
writing in regard to the *United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples*.  If adopted by the General Assembly, the
*Declaration*would constitute a key step towards eliminating the
widespread and
persistent human rights abuses suffered by Indigenous peoples worldwide.

Regretfully, member States in the Third Committee voted to defer adoption of
the *Declaration* by the General Assembly "to allow time for further
consultations" (Resolution A/C.3/61/L.18/R.1, adopted as corrected and
amended by L.57/Rev.1, 28 November 2006, results of vote 82/67/25).  At the
same time, the adopted Resolution has undermined the credibility and crucial
work of the Human Rights Council and set back current U.N. reforms.

On December 20, 2006, the same Resolution was adopted without changes by the
General Assembly.  Presently, in considering fair and viable means of
undertaking "consultations", the limited terms of the Resolution should be
fully respected.  They should not be exceeded in any way.  In this regard,
we feel it crucial that the following key factors be highlighted:

1.     *Further "consultations" permitted*.  The Resolution authorizes "time
for further consultations". These "consultations" should not be converted
into a working group or other process that opens up the *Declaration* to any
changes.

2.     *Nature of "consultations"*. A key purpose of "consultations" is to
bridge understanding, especially for many States that chose not to
participate in the standard-setting process that took place for over 20
years. "Consultations" are to obtain State and Indigenous opinions, which
must be fully consistent with the purposes and principles of the *Charter of
the United Nations*.

3.     *Indigenous participation essential*.  Indigenous peoples should be
ensured full, direct and effective participation at all stages of
consideration of the *Declaration* by the General Assembly. In order to
ensure fairness, balance and legitimacy, any "consultations" must include
such Indigenous participation. Indigenous peoples are not considered simply
as non-governmental organizations. For over 20 years, U.N. practice has
ensured active, democratic involvement by Indigenous peoples in matters
relating to our human rights.

4.     *Support for Human Rights Council*.  In engaging in "consultations",
it is important that the Human Rights Council and its essential work be
supported and respected.

5.     *Limited time period for "consultations"*.  The "consultations"
should be completed in a timely manner prior to September 2007. The General
Assembly decided "to conclude its consideration of the Declaration, as
contained in the annex to the present resolution, before the end of its
sixty-first session." (Resolution, para. 3).

We greatly appreciate your consideration of the above matters.

Respectfully submitted,

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' CAUCUS
with representation from the following Regional Caucuses:

African Caucus
Arctic Caucus
Asian Caucus
Latin American and Caribbean Caucus
North American Caucus
North, Siberia and Far East of the Russian Federation Caucus
Pacific Caucus

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