The following proposals and memoranda were written in response to the need to identify concrete and action-oriented recommendations for the UN system and member states to adopt at the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, in order to advance the objectives of the UN Declaration. Recognizing the historic but limited opportunity provided by the World Conference, the following proposals enjoyed broad support from tribal nations and indigenous communities, and remain critical pathways for follow-up to the World Conference, including:
- Creation of an implementing and monitoring body for the UN Declaration.
- Development of new rules to establish the permanent participation of indigenous governments in the UN.
- Actions to address the epidemic of violence against indigenous women.
World Conference Follow-up Proposals
September 2015 proposals to implement the World Conference outcome document:
Actions to combat violence against indigenous women.pdf
An Implementing and monitoring body for the UN Declaration.pdf
Participation of indigenous governments in the UN.pdf
February 2015 proposals to implement the World Conference outcome document:
Participation of Indigenous Peoples’ Governing Institutions in the United Nations
Participación de las instituciones de gobierno de los pueblos indígenas en las Naciones Unidas
Creating a permanent body in the UN system
Creación de un órgano permanente en el sistema de la ONU
Actions to Address Violence Against Indigenous Women
Medidas para combatir la violencia contra las mujeres indígenas
At the 59th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (March 9-20, 2015), New York, NY
At the 14th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (April 20-May 1, 2015), New York, NY
Tribal leaders introduced a statement to the Permanent Forum on April 20, 2015, with proposals for follow-up work on the World Conference, including important details and recommendations for creating an effective implementing and monitoring body for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, new rules for the participation of indigenous peoples’ governments in the UN, and UN action to combat violence against indigenous women. The statement also urges that indigenous governments have the opportunity to review, respond, and comment on the Secretary-General’s report and recommendations before it is submitted to the Economic and Social Council in July. The statement, though never offered to the Forum due to time limitations, was shared widely and was successfully filed with the Secretariat on behalf of 90 indigenous nations and 23 organizations in the Americas.
Read Full Statement
At the 29th Session of the Human Rights Council (June 15-July 3, 2015), Geneva, Switzerland
At the Economic and Social Council, July 22, 2015, New York, NY
On July 22, Center Attorney Leonardo Crippa addressed the Economic and Social Council on behalf of the Indian Law Resource Center, the National Congress of American Indians, the Native American Rights Fund, and the Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians, supporting the report and calling for, among other things, the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples in reforming the mandate and structure of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and for developing new rules for indigenous governments to participate in the UN. The Economic and Social Council took note of the Secretary-General’s report and the report of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. http://www.indianlaw.org/content/joint-statement-ecosoc-supports-secretary-generals-report-follow-world-conference-indigenous
At the 9th Session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (July 20-24, 2015), Geneva, Switzerland
Center urges the United Nations to act on the World Conference recommendations