Editors --- "Note from certain Indigenous organisations concerning the participation of Indigenous peoples in the consideration of the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights - Digest" [1996] AUIndigLawRpr 24; (1996) 1(1) Australian Indigenous Law Reporter 168

Note from certain Indigenous organisations concerning the participation of Indigenous peoples in the consideration of the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights

New York City -- December 9th, 1994

To concerned Governments and U.N. Agencies

Recognizing that in New York during the week of the United Nation's Inauguration of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, several indigenous organizations with NGO consultative status to the ECOSOC, in consultation with Indigenous organizations from all regions of the world, met together and drafted a statement to the member states of the United Nations (December 8, 1994); and that one of the central points of this statement called for "the effective, direct and representative participation of Indigenous Peoples in the consideration of the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the upcoming session of the UN Commission on Human Rights;"

Recalling that this statement was signed by more than 35 Indigenous organizations attending the inaugural ceremonies for the Decade in New York;

Recognizing that the participation of Indigenous Peoples in future discussions concerning the Draft Declaration has also been supported by many member states;

Recalling that one of the central themes of the Decade is the initiation of effective partnerships and cooperation between Indigenous Peoples and member states, including participation of Indigenous Peoples in the planning and implementation of the Plan of Action of the Decade;

Affirming that the adoption of the Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is one of the central objectives of the Decade, as expressed by both Indigenous Peoples and member states;

Understanding that a number of member states are considering the possible establishment by the Commission on Human Rights of an open-ended or ad-hoc working group to further consider the Draft Declaration;

The undersigned NGOs with consultative status, after discussion with indigenous organizations, concerned member states, as well as certain UN Agencies, would like to present the following proposal for preliminary consideration by concerned member states, in anticipation of the consideration of this issue in the upcoming session of the UN Commission on Human Rights;

1. That the participation of Indigenous Peoples in whatever format is designated by the Commission on Human Rights to address the Draft Declaration, should be formalized and consistent throughout the process.

2. That the participation of Indigenous Peoples should be representative of all regions of the world.

Therefore, We, the undersigned NGOs offer to coordinate and facilitate, in consultation with other Indigenous NGOs, Indigenous Peoples and organizations, the nomination to the Commission of 18 Indigenous Representatives (3 each from Asia, North America, Latin America/Caribbean, The Arctic, Africa, Pacific/Australia), who will be designated to serve as participants in this ad-hoc or open-ended Working Group, if it is so established by the Commission.

ANDREA CARMEN, Executive Director, for the International Indian Treaty Council

INGMAR EGEDE, Vice President, for the Inuit Circumpolar Conference

LARS-ANDERS BAER, Vice President, for the Saami Council

JORGE VALIENTE, President, for the World Council of Indigenous Peoples