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Friday, May 18, 2007

HOLY SEE DISAPPOINTMENT AT FAILURE TO ADOPT DECLARATION


VATICAN CITY, MAY 17, 2007 (VIS) - Yesterday in New York, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations, delivered a talk during the 6th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples of the Commission for Social Development of the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The theme of the meeting was: "Territories, lands and natural resources."

  Speaking English, Archbishop Migliore expressed the Holy See's disappointment at "the postponement of the adoption of the draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP)."

  The Holy See delegation, the archbishop continued, "would like to draw attention to the benefits which the existence of such a human rights instrument would entail especially for the very poorest living in rural areas, often of indigenous origin and often marginalized by the modern world, and those who could be empowered to contribute much more to the political and economic life where they live.

  "Various objections have been raised against the draft declaration as it currently stands," he added. "Some say that the DRIP contradicts national constitutions and that self-determination only concerns those who used to live under colonial rule. Others suggest that the DRIP is unclear on what constitutes 'indigenous people'."

  Yet, "the Holy See wishes to reiterate the particular importance it attaches to the instrument. ... Such a political gesture would not only profit the poorest and most excluded citizens in both rich and poor countries of the world, but would also enhance peace among peoples and foster the just and equitable enjoyment of human rights by all."

  "States have legitimate concerns regarding sovereignty, citizenship, equality and the sane and equitable exploitation of natural resources," the archbishop concluded, "but these questions should not allow progress on indigenous peoples' equally legitimate rights and concerns to be postponed 'sine die'."
DELSS/INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/UN:MIGLIORE        VIS 20070518 (310)


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