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Indigenous
rights outlined by UN
The
United Nations General
Assembly has adopted a
non-binding declaration
on the rights of
indigenous peoples after
22 years of debate
The document proposes
protections for the
human rights of native
peoples, and for their
land and resources.
It passed despite
opposition from
Australia, Canada, New
Zealand and the United
States. They said it was
incompatible with their
own laws.
There are estimated to
be up to 370 million
indigenous people in the
world.
They include the Innu
tribe in Canada, the
Bushmen of Botswana and
Australia's Aborigines.
Campaigners say they are
under greater pre
ssure than ever, as
developers, loggers,
farmers and mineral
extractors move in on
their land.(more)
Links:
http://www.iucn.org/themes/ceesp/WAMIP
/
http://www.un.org/Pubs/chronicle/ |