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Bearing in mind that one of the purposes of the United Nations, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, is the achievement of international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,

Recalling its previous resolutions on the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, in particular resolution 1997/32 of 11 April 1997,

Recalling also Economic and Social Council resolution 1982/34 of 7 May 1982, in which the Council authorized the Sub-Commission to establish annually a working group on indigenous populations with the mandate to review developments pertaining to the promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, giving special attention to the evolution of standards concerning the rights of indigenous people,

Reaffirming its recognition of the value and diversity of the cultures and forms of social organization of indigenous people and that the development of indigenous people within their countries will contribute to the socio-economic, cultural and environmental advancement of all the countries of the world,

Recalling that the goal of the Decade is to strengthen international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as human rights, the environment, development, education and health, and that the theme of the Decade is “Indigenous people: partnership in action”,

Recognizing the importance of consultation and cooperation with indigenous people in planning and implementing the programme of activities for the Decade, the need for adequate financial support from the international community, including support from within the United Nations and the specialized agencies, and the need for adequate coordination and communication channels,

Mindful that the Economic and Social Council will consider at its substantive session of 2004 the review mandated in paragraph 8 of Council resolution 2000/22 of 28 July 2000 regarding all existing mechanisms, procedures and programmes within the United Nations concerned with indigenous issues, including the Working Group on Indigenous Populations,

Bearing in mind in this regard that in 2003 the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, at its second session, in its draft decision VII (see E/2003/43-E/C.19/2003/22, chap. I, sect. A), the Working Group, at its twenty-first session (see E/CN.4/Sub.2/2003/22, para. 117), and the Sub-Commission, in its resolution 2003/30 of 14 August 2003, recommended that a second international decade be proclaimed by the General Assembly, and that the Economic and Social Council, in decision 2003/306 of 25 July 2003, requested the Assembly to initiate the consideration of such a decade, taking into account, inter alia, the forthcoming review by the Council in 2004,

Recalling in this regard Economic and Social Council decisions 2001/316 of 26 July 2001 and 2002/286 of 25 July 2002 and taking note of 2003/307 of 25 July 2003,

1. Takes note of the report of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (E/CN.4/2004/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/2003/43) and of the report of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations on its twenty-first session (E/CN.4/Sub.2/2003/22);

2. Welcomes the fact that the Working Group has continued to carry out a comprehensive review of developments and of the diverse situations and aspirations of the world’s indigenous people and that at its twenty-second session, the Working Group will focus on the theme “Indigenous peoples and conflict resolution”, and invites Governments, intergovernmental organizations, indigenous organizations and non-governmental organizations to provide information and data on this theme to the Working Group at its twenty-second session;

3. Invites the Working Group to take into account in its deliberations on developments pertaining to the promotion and protection of the human rights of indigenous people the work, within the framework of their respective mandates, of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, all thematic special rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts, working groups and expert seminars as it pertains to the situation of indigenous people;

4. Also invites all thematic special rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts, working groups and expert seminars, within the framework of their respective mandates, to take duly into account in their deliberations the particular situation of indigenous people and to ensure that it is properly reflected in their periodic reports to their superior bodies, so as to contribute to the effective fulfilment of the respective mandates of the Economic and Social Council, the Commission, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people and the Permanent Forum;

5. Recommends that the Economic and Social Council authorize the Working Group to meet for five working days prior to the fifty-sixth session of the Sub-Commission;

6. Invites the Working Group to continue its consideration of ways and means in which the expertise of indigenous people can contribute to the work of the Working Group, and encourages initiatives by Governments, organizations of indigenous people and non-governmental organizations to ensure the full participation of indigenous people in the activities related to the tasks of the Working Group;

7. Recommends that the Economic and Social Council authorize the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the twenty-first session of the Working Group to submit the report on its twenty-first session to the Permanent Forum during the second week (17-21 May) of the Forum’s third session in 2004, as requested in Sub-Commission resolution 2002/20 of 14 August 2002;

8. Requests the Secretary-General:

9. Recalls General Assembly resolution 56/140 of 19 December 2001, which expanded the mandate of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations to assist representatives of indigenous communities and organizations in attending the sessions of the Permanent Forum, and appeals to all Governments, organizations and individuals in a position to do so to consider contributing to the Fund, if possible with a substantial increase in the level of contributions;

10. Invites the Working Group on Indigenous Populations to continue its review of activities undertaken during the Decade and encourages Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to provide information on the implementation of the goals of the Decade, in accordance with paragraph 16 of the annex to General Assembly resolution 50/157 of 21 December 1995;

11. Emphasizes the affirmation by the General Assembly that a major objective of the Decade is the adoption of a declaration on the rights of indigenous people and calls for the early conclusion of the drafting of that most important document;

12. Welcomes the results of the second session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, held in New York in May 2003, and looks forward to the convening of its third annual session from 10 to 21 May 2004, and encourages all parties concerned, including all mechanisms, procedures and programmes of the United Nations concerned with indigenous issues, to continue efforts to secure, from within existing resources, an adequately funded and well-functioning Forum that reflects its broad mandate, including through the provision of adequate secretariat support;

13. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in her capacity as Coordinator of the Decade, to submit a final report reviewing the activities within the United Nations system under the programme of activities for the Decade and evaluating their results, to the Commission at its sixty-first session under the agenda item entitled “Indigenous issues”, in accordance with the request by the General Assembly to the Secretary-General;

14. Emphasizes the important role of international cooperation in promoting the goals and activities of the Decade and the rights, well-being and sustainable development of indigenous people;

15. Appeals to all Governments, organizations and individuals in a position to do so to support the Decade by contributing to the Voluntary Fund for the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, if possible with a substantial increase in the level of contributions;

16. Encourages Governments, as appropriate, recognizing the importance of action at the national level for the implementation of the goals and activities of the Decade, to continue supporting the Decade during its present final stage, in consultation with indigenous people, by: (a) Executing the relevant programmes, plans and reports in relation to the Decade through effective mechanisms involving indigenous people to ensure that the objectives and activities of the Decade are implemented on the basis of full partnership with indigenous people;

(b) Seeking means of giving indigenous people greater responsibility for their own affairs and an effective voice in decisions on matters which affect them, in compliance with the provisions of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action;

17. Also encourages Governments to continue to give support, as appropriate, towards the achievement of the goals of the Decade, to the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean;

18. Requests the High Commissioner to ensure that the minorities and indigenous people’s unit in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is adequately staffed and resourced to enable the activities of the Decade to be implemented effectively;

19. Recommends that the High Commissioner, when developing programmes within the framework of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People and the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, continue to give due regard to the continued development of human rights training for indigenous people;

20. Encourages the High Commissioner to continue cooperating with the Department of Public Information in preparing and disseminating information on the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, taking due care to portray accurately the information regarding indigenous people;

21. Invites the United Nations financial and development institutions, operational programmes and specialized agencies, in accordance with the existing procedure of their governing bodies:

22. Recalls the recommendation of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance that the Secretary-General conduct an evaluation of the results of the Decade and make recommendations concerning how to mark the end of this Decade, including an appropriate follow-up, and requests the Secretary-General to begin the implementation of this evaluation;

23. Decides to consider the final evaluation of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People at its sixty-first session under the agenda item entitled “Indigenous issues”.

56th meeting
20 April 2004
[Adopted by a recorded vote of 38 votes to 2, with 13 abstentions. See chap. XV.]

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		Return to CHR 61 page
	2004/58. Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, and the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples The Commission on Human Rights, Bearing in mind that one of the purposes of the United Nations, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, is the achievement of international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Recalling its previous resolutions on the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, in particular resolution 1997/32 of 11 April 1997, Recalling also Economic and Social Council resolution 1982/34 of 7 May 1982, in which the Council authorized the Sub-Commission to establish annually a working group on indigenous populations with the mandate to review developments pertaining to the promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, giving special attention to the evolution of standards concerning the rights of indigenous people, Reaffirming its recognition of the value and diversity of the cultures and forms of social organization of indigenous people and that the development of indigenous people within their countries will contribute to the socio-economic, cultural and environmental advancement of all the countries of the world, Recalling that the goal of the Decade is to strengthen international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as human rights, the environment, development, education and health, and that the theme of the Decade is “Indigenous people: partnership in action”, Recognizing the importance of consultation and cooperation with indigenous people in planning and implementing the programme of activities for the Decade, the need for adequate financial support from the international community, including support from within the United Nations and the specialized agencies, and the need for adequate coordination and communication channels, Mindful that the Economic and Social Council will consider at its substantive session of 2004 the review mandated in paragraph 8 of Council resolution 2000/22 of 28 July 2000 regarding all existing mechanisms, procedures and programmes within the United Nations concerned with indigenous issues, including the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, Bearing in mind in this regard that in 2003 the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, at its second session, in its draft decision VII (see E/2003/43-E/C.19/2003/22, chap. I, sect. A), the Working Group, at its twenty-first session (see E/CN.4/Sub.2/2003/22, para. 117), and the Sub-Commission, in its resolution 2003/30 of 14 August 2003, recommended that a second international decade be proclaimed by the General Assembly, and that the Economic and Social Council, in decision 2003/306 of 25 July 2003, requested the Assembly to initiate the consideration of such a decade, taking into account, inter alia, the forthcoming review by the Council in 2004, Recalling in this regard Economic and Social Council decisions 2001/316 of 26 July 2001 and 2002/286 of 25 July 2002 and taking note of 2003/307 of 25 July 2003, I. REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS OF THE SUB-COMMISSION ON THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS 1. Takes note of the report of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (E/CN.4/2004/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/2003/43) and of the report of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations on its twenty-first session (E/CN.4/Sub.2/2003/22); 2. Welcomes the fact that the Working Group has continued to carry out a comprehensive review of developments and of the diverse situations and aspirations of the world’s indigenous people and that at its twenty-second session, the Working Group will focus on the theme “Indigenous peoples and conflict resolution”, and invites Governments, intergovernmental organizations, indigenous organizations and non-governmental organizations to provide information and data on this theme to the Working Group at its twenty-second session; 3. Invites the Working Group to take into account in its deliberations on developments pertaining to the promotion and protection of the human rights of indigenous people the work, within the framework of their respective mandates, of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, all thematic special rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts, working groups and expert seminars as it pertains to the situation of indigenous people; 4. Also invites all thematic special rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts, working groups and expert seminars, within the framework of their respective mandates, to take duly into account in their deliberations the particular situation of indigenous people and to ensure that it is properly reflected in their periodic reports to their superior bodies, so as to contribute to the effective fulfilment of the respective mandates of the Economic and Social Council, the Commission, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people and the Permanent Forum; 5. Recommends that the Economic and Social Council authorize the Working Group to meet for five working days prior to the fifty-sixth session of the Sub-Commission; 6. Invites the Working Group to continue its consideration of ways and means in which the expertise of indigenous people can contribute to the work of the Working Group, and encourages initiatives by Governments, organizations of indigenous people and non-governmental organizations to ensure the full participation of indigenous people in the activities related to the tasks of the Working Group; 7. Recommends that the Economic and Social Council authorize the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the twenty-first session of the Working Group to submit the report on its twenty-first session to the Permanent Forum during the second week (17-21 May) of the Forum’s third session in 2004, as requested in Sub-Commission resolution 2002/20 of 14 August 2002; 8. Requests the Secretary-General: (a) To provide adequate resources and assistance to the Working Group in the discharge of its tasks, including adequate dissemination of information about the activities of the Working Group to Governments, specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations and organizations of indigenous people, in order to encourage the widest possible participation in its work; (b) To transmit the reports of the Working Group to Governments, organizations of indigenous people and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, as soon as possible, for specific comments and suggestions; 9. Recalls General Assembly resolution 56/140 of 19 December 2001, which expanded the mandate of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations to assist representatives of indigenous communities and organizations in attending the sessions of the Permanent Forum, and appeals to all Governments, organizations and individuals in a position to do so to consider contributing to the Fund, if possible with a substantial increase in the level of contributions; II. INTERNATIONAL DECADE OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE 10. Invites the Working Group on Indigenous Populations to continue its review of activities undertaken during the Decade and encourages Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to provide information on the implementation of the goals of the Decade, in accordance with paragraph 16 of the annex to General Assembly resolution 50/157 of 21 December 1995; 11. Emphasizes the affirmation by the General Assembly that a major objective of the Decade is the adoption of a declaration on the rights of indigenous people and calls for the early conclusion of the drafting of that most important document; 12. Welcomes the results of the second session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, held in New York in May 2003, and looks forward to the convening of its third annual session from 10 to 21 May 2004, and encourages all parties concerned, including all mechanisms, procedures and programmes of the United Nations concerned with indigenous issues, to continue efforts to secure, from within existing resources, an adequately funded and well-functioning Forum that reflects its broad mandate, including through the provision of adequate secretariat support; 13. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in her capacity as Coordinator of the Decade, to submit a final report reviewing the activities within the United Nations system under the programme of activities for the Decade and evaluating their results, to the Commission at its sixty-first session under the agenda item entitled “Indigenous issues”, in accordance with the request by the General Assembly to the Secretary-General; 14. Emphasizes the important role of international cooperation in promoting the goals and activities of the Decade and the rights, well-being and sustainable development of indigenous people; 15. Appeals to all Governments, organizations and individuals in a position to do so to support the Decade by contributing to the Voluntary Fund for the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, if possible with a substantial increase in the level of contributions; 16. Encourages Governments, as appropriate, recognizing the importance of action at the national level for the implementation of the goals and activities of the Decade, to continue supporting the Decade during its present final stage, in consultation with indigenous people, by: (a) Executing the relevant programmes, plans and reports in relation to the Decade through effective mechanisms involving indigenous people to ensure that the objectives and activities of the Decade are implemented on the basis of full partnership with indigenous people; (b) Seeking means of giving indigenous people greater responsibility for their own affairs and an effective voice in decisions on matters which affect them, in compliance with the provisions of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action; 17. Also encourages Governments to continue to give support, as appropriate, towards the achievement of the goals of the Decade, to the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean; 18. Requests the High Commissioner to ensure that the minorities and indigenous people’s unit in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is adequately staffed and resourced to enable the activities of the Decade to be implemented effectively; 19. Recommends that the High Commissioner, when developing programmes within the framework of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People and the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, continue to give due regard to the continued development of human rights training for indigenous people; 20. Encourages the High Commissioner to continue cooperating with the Department of Public Information in preparing and disseminating information on the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, taking due care to portray accurately the information regarding indigenous people; 21. Invites the United Nations financial and development institutions, operational programmes and specialized agencies, in accordance with the existing procedure of their governing bodies: (a) To continue giving increased priority and resources to improving the conditions of indigenous people, with particular emphasis on the needs of these people in developing countries, including through the preparation of specific programmes of action for the follow-up of the goals of the Decade, within their areas of competence; (b) To launch, as appropriate, special projects, through adequate channels and in collaboration with indigenous people, for strengthening their community-level initiatives, and to facilitate the exchange of information and expertise among indigenous people and other relevant experts; 22. Recalls the recommendation of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance that the Secretary-General conduct an evaluation of the results of the Decade and make recommendations concerning how to mark the end of this Decade, including an appropriate follow-up, and requests the Secretary-General to begin the implementation of this evaluation; 23. Decides to consider the final evaluation of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People at its sixty-first session under the agenda item entitled “Indigenous issues”. 56th meeting 20 April 2004 [Adopted by a recorded vote of 38 votes to 2, with 13 abstentions. See chap. XV.] Return to CHR 61 page