UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues: The EU reaffirms its commitment to indigenous peoples

Sommaire: 10 May 2012, New York - Each year the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII ) attracts a large participation of indigenous representatives from all parts of the world. They come to New York to discuss indigenous issues and the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This year the Forum will also commemorate the 5th anniversary of the adoption of this important Declaration.

The EU is founded on the values of equality and respect for human rights. The EU supports the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted in 2007, which marked a significant development for indigenous peoples and serves as an important tool in addressing indigenous issues.

The EU participates actively in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues every year. During the Open Dialogue between indigenous peoples' organizations, States and UN agencies, the EU delivered a statement reaffirming its commitment to the promotion of indigenous peoples and expressing support to the Forum as an important venue for the promotion of dialogue.

EU development cooperation continues to address the situation of indigenous peoples, for instance in the Country Strategy Papers 2007-2013 for EU cooperation with Peru and Colombia. The key priorities include involvement of marginalised citizens in local governance and participatory economy, as well as the promotion of human rights, good governance and the fight against impunity.

The EU also directly supports civil society organisations working on indigenous issues, in particular through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). Under this funding instrument, there is wide scope for supporting specific actions relevant to indigenous peoples at national, transnational or regional levels. In 2011 the EIDHR funded a 1.2 million Euros regional project aimed at supporting and at strengthening the network of indigenous human rights defenders in Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.

Deputy Head of Delegation of the EU to the UN, Mr. Ioannis Vrailas, at the Permanent Forum with Ms. Tai Pelli, United Confederation of the Taíno People

Deputy Head of Delegation of the EU to the UN Mr. Ioannis Vrailas at the Permanent Forum with Ms. Tai Pelli, United Confederation of the Taíno People. Photo courtesy of Ida Mikkelson.

Deputy Head of Delegation of the EU to the UN, Mr. Ioannis Vrailas, at the Permanent Forum with Ms. Agnes Leina, Il'laramatak Community Concerns, Kenya

Deputy Head of Delegation of the EU to the UN Mr. Ioannis Vrailas at the Permanent Forum with Ms. Agnes Leina, Il'laramatak Community Concerns, Kenya. Photo courtesy of Ida Mikkelson.

Ref: CAL12-013EN
Source UE: Union Européenne
UN forum:
Date: 10/5/2012

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