11th session of UNPFII opens
There
will be no true development without participation of the indigenous
peoples, says Ms. Asha-Rose Migiro, UN Deputy Secretary-General
There will be no true development without participation of the indigenous peoples. In every aspect of development project, Free, Prior and Informed Consent of the IPs is very essential, says Ms. Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Ms.
Asha-Rose Migiro reaffirmed this commitment of the UN during opening
session of the 11th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Issues (PFII) held at general assembly hall of the United Nations
headquarters in New York on 7 May 2012.
She
started her address by thanking all the indigenous peoples who have
traveled from all over the world to make this happen. She reaffirmed the
commitment of the UN to work for the recognition of the rights of the
indigenous peoples.
She
emphasized that the Secretary General wants solid participation of the
indigenous peoples in Rio+20 and called upon the indigenous peoples to
share their traditional knowledge there.
She
further said, still now, we keep hearing stories of suffering of
indigenous peoples, indigenous peoples facing injustice, women see
violence, marginalization and even extinction. But, time has come now to
change these stories.
Opening
of the session was started by the amazing earthly sound of
“didgeridoo”, an Australian aboriginal instrumental music, played by Mr.
Cameron McCarthy.
Mr. Thomas Stelzer, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, declared the opening of the 11th session of the UNPFII.
Opening
welcome was made by Todadaho Sid Hill, traditional Chief of the
Onondaga Nation. He greeted all the participants with his traditional
ceremonial welcome, acknowledging “mother earth” as our true mother, and
acknowledging everything that the creator has given to us.
In
the opening session, Grand Chief Edward John, a hereditary Chief of
Tl’azt’en Nation located on the banks of the Nak’al Bun (Stuart Lake) in
Northern part of Canada, was elected as the Chairperson for the
eleventh session and Mr. Megan Davis, Director of the
Indigenous Law Centre of Australia’s University of New South Wales was
appointed as a Special Rapporteur.
The
newly elected chairperson Mr. Edward John, with the consent from the
respected members of the PFII, adopted the Agenda and Programme of work
for the Eleventh Session. “The enduring impact of the “Doctrine of Discovery” was set as special theme for this year’s session. The
other agenda items that were set for this session include the rights of
indigenous peoples to food and food sovereignty; the situation of
indigenous peoples in Central and Eastern Europe, the Russian
Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia; the upcoming World
Conference on Indigenous Peoples (2014).
Talking
about the main theme, “Doctrine of Discovery”, Chief Edward John said,
importance should be given on enduring impact of historical wrongs as
state reviews their relationship with the indigenous peoples. He
said this Forum is a wonderful opportunity for the indigenous peoples
to share their stories and to discuss their collective future. He
expects that the discussion that will take place at this Forum, will
really make a difference to the indigenous peoples.
Mr. Thomas Stelzer, Assistant
Secretary-General for Policy Co-ordination and Inter-Agency Affairs,
acknowledged the depth of knowledge of the forum members. He stated PFII is one of the best session in UN calendar where Indigenous Peoples, different organization and
UN system all come together to advance IP’S rights. He called upon the
IPs to take solid participation in next month Rio+20 conference, where
they can share their knowledge for sustainable development and to fight
against climate change and also it will be a prime opportunity for the
indigenous peoples to reaffirm all section of humanity. He further
added, attention is needed from the states to promote & protect IPs
rights, equality & justice.
The opening session was ended with a ceremonial prayer offered by Mayan elders.
This
year, a group of indigenous representatives from Bangladesh comprising
Information and Publicity Secretary of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati
Samiti Mangal Kumar Chakma, president of Jatiya Adivasi Parishad and
chairperson of Kapaeeng Foundation Rabindranath Soren, member of
Kapaeeng Foundation Anmoy Kiran Chakma, Kamalasen Chakma and
Sudattapriya Chakma of Parbatya Pratibandhi Sangstha attended the 11th
session of the UNPFII. Besides, member of the UNPFII and circle chief of
Chakma Circle Raja Devasish also attended the session.
The 11th session of the UNPFII will continue to 18 May 2012.
------
source:
Kapaeeng Foundation
(A Human Rights Organization for Indigenous Peoples of Bangladesh)
No comments:
Post a Comment