Statement of the Indigenous Nations and Organizations Coalition to the Organization of American States' 54th General Assembly

June 26, 2024
Patricia Torres Sandoval
Member of the XANARI UPANI Civil Association
Asunción, Paraguay
(español)

Mr. Secretary General Luis Almagro, Chari sesi jimpó iamenduecha (with everyone’s permission):

I am Patricia Torres Sandoval,[1] P’urhépecha from Michoacán, Mexico; and on behalf of the Coalition of Indigenous Nations and Organizations, I am infinitely grateful for the space to read our Declaration.

Today, the Americas face strong challenges regarding the full exercise of their rights, particularly those considered in the American Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The security crisis consists of issues including monoculture crops; agribusiness; mining, water, and forest extractivism; trafficking; forced disappearance; feminicide and forced displacement. In this context, it is urgent that the ADRIP Action Plan be implemented.[2]

We emphasize that integration and security encompass a political, social, economic, cultural, legal, educational, territorial, and spiritual multidimensionality. The invisibility, invalidation, and illicit appropriation of our resources, territories, knowledge, and practices deepen the gap to achieve sustainable development in the Americas.[3]

Therefore, we express our willingness to continue collaborating in order to discuss and strengthen the participation of the Indigenous Nations and Organizations of the Hemisphere, while sharing our recommendations:

1. The urgent and effective implementation of the Action Plan on the American Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
2. Recognition of the attributions as a follow-up, monitoring and review mechanism to the Working Group for the Implementation of the DADIN Plan of Action
3. Guarantee respect for indigenous peoples and their authorities, justice systems, the right to self-determination and full participation, without imposition of parallel authorities that affect communities’ social fabric and our development.
4. Establish direct links to strengthen democracy through the participation, negotiation, and representation of Indigenous coalitions and governments in the OAS, avoiding usurpation and pretense.
5. Respect the right of the indigenous people to prohibit concessions in our lands and territories for mining extraction, particularly for lithium.
6. Establish effective measures to prevent the invasion of indigenous lands and territories by foreign settlers, the expansion of monocultures, and the overexploitation of the agro-industry.[4]
7. Establish mechanisms to eradicate the criminalization of land defenders in the Americas and forced displacement due to climate change and insecurity.
8. Expedite resolutions of cases on violations of the rights of indigenous peoples and indigenous women at the national level and in the Inter-American Commission and Court of Human Rights.
9. Fundamental: Guarantee and implement the advances within the international legal framework regarding human rights, the rights of indigenous peoples, and the eradication of violence against indigenous women, girls, and young people.

Mr. Secretary, and everyone present here, Kuerájperhi meiamukua, thank you very much.