Sunday, April 25, 2010

US to review opposition to UN Declaration of Indigenous Rights

When the United Nations overwhelmingly passed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2007 the vote was 140 to 4.  The United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand were the only countries opposed.  However the political climate here may be changing as reported in Indian Country Today:

"NEW YORK – Political tides are turning as international support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples continues to grow, putting greater pressure on Canada and the United States to fully endorse it.

One day after New Zealand reversed its position and supported the Declaration, U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice announced that the United States is undertaking a review of its opposition.

“I am pleased to announce that the United States has decided to review our position regarding the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” she said, addressing the Ninth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues." ...(Cont.)...

No comments:

Post a Comment