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Editors --- "1995/31 Report of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities - Digest" [1996] AUIndigLawRpr 3; (1996) 1(1) Australian Indigenous Law Reporter 143

1995/31 Report of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities

The Commission on Human Rights,

Recalling Economic and Social Council resolution 1982/34 of 7 May 1982, in which the Council authorized the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to establish annually a working group on indigenous populations with the mandate to review developments pertaining to the promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, giving special attention to the evolution of standards concerning the rights of indigenous people,

Recalling also its resolution 1988/44 of 8 March 1988, in which it urged the Working Group on Indigenous Populations to intensify its efforts in carrying out its plan of action and to continue the elaboration of international standards in this field,

Having examined the report of the Working Group on its twelfth session (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1994/30 and Corr.1),

Conscious that, in various situations, indigenous people are unable to enjoy their inalienable human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Determined to do everything possible to promote the enjoyment of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people,

Bearing in mind that international standards must be developed on the basis of the diverse realities of indigenous people in all parts of the world,

1. Takes note of the report of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities on its forty-sixth session (E/CN.4/1995/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/1994/56);

2. Expresses its appreciation and satisfaction to the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission for its valuable work, in particular for the completion of the draft "United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples";

3. Also expresses its appreciation to observers participating in the twelfth session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, namely, representatives of Governments, the specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations and indigenous organizations, for their active and constructive participation in its work;

4. Recommends to the Economic and Social Council that the Working Group be authorized to meet for five working days prior to the forty-seventh session of the Sub-Commission;

5. Invites the Working Group to take into account in its deliberations on developments pertaining to the promotion and protection of the human rights of indigenous people the work, within the framework of their respective mandates, of all thematic special rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts and working groups as it pertains to the situation of indigenous people;

6. Urges the Working Group to continue its comprehensive review of developments and of the situation and aspirations of indigenous people throughout the world;

7. Invites the Working Group to consider whether there are ways in which the contribution of expertise from indigenous people to the work of the Working Group might be enhanced;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to give all the necessary resources and assistance, from within existing overall United Nations resources, to the Working Group in discharging its tasks, including adequate dissemination of information about the activities of the Working Group to Governments, specialized agencies and non-governmental and indigenous organizations, in order to encourage the widest possible participation in its work;

9. Requests the Secretary-General:

(a) To transmit the reports of the Working Group to Governments, indigenous organizations and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, as soon as possible, for specific comments and suggestions;

(b) To ensure that all meetings of the Working Group at its thirteenth session are provided with interpretation and documentation;

10. Expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the Governments and organizations that have made contributions to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations;

11. Appeals to all Governments, organizations and individuals in a position to do so to consider requests for further contributions to the Fund;

12. Encourages all the initiatives that can be taken by Governments, indigenous organizations and non-governmental organizations to ensure the full participation of indigenous people in the activities related to the tasks of the Working Group.

53rd meeting

3 March 1995

[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIX.]


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