From the statement below: “The EU calls upon all States to implement the Declaration and wants to encourage them to translate it into the languages of indigenous peoples in their respective countries in order to raise awareness of its provisions.”
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Europe: Statement Of European Union At Third Committee Of The 65th Session Of The United Nations General Assembly On Indigenous Issues

New York – Statement on behalf of the European Union by Mr. Nicolas Burniat, Permanent Representation of Belgium to the United Nations, at the Third Committee of the 65th Session of the General Assembly, Agenda item 65 a Indigenous Issues

Mr/Madam Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union.

The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia*, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, as well as, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia, and Georgia align themselves with this declaration.

1. The European Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, equality and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to ethnic, cultural or religious minorities. The EU also supports the rights of indigenous peoples, as set out in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The EU is committed to these values, as well as to the combating of discrimination and social exclusion, both within Member States of the EU and as a member of the international community.

2. The EU believes that it is important to promote the dialogue between Governments, the UN and indigenous peoples and welcomes the opportunities for States to engage in a dialogue with different UN mechanisms addressing indigenous issues. We highly appreciate the work done by all the three UN mechanisms. We want to congratulate the experts of the UN Permanent Forum for their tireless efforts and engagement, not only during their session here in New York, but through the entire year. The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is also an important venue for providing the Human Rights Council with concrete advice on ways and means of better promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples as set out in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. That is of course also the aim of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples, Mr. James Anaya, and we fully support his work in this.

3. However, despite all the efforts that are being made, there is little reason for complacency. In many countries around the world, indigenous peoples face discrimination, marginalisation, racism and intolerance and many of them live their lives in poverty. Indigenous peoples are also especially affected by climate change, which threatens their very survival and affects their traditional lifestyles and cultures.

4. Efforts to improve the situation of indigenous peoples must be increased throughout the World. In Northern Europe, the EU Member States will continue their cooperation with indigenous communities in consultation with the local indigenous authorities. The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples marked a significant development for indigenous peoples and serves as an important tool in addressing indigenous issues. The adoption of the Declaration after two decades of preparations has advanced the rights as set out therein and ensured the continued development of indigenous peoples around the world. The EU is pleased to note the growing support for this Declaration. New Zealand and Australia decided to join it and the US and Canada are considering to do so.

5. The EU calls upon all States to implement the Declaration and wants to encourage them to translate it into the languages of indigenous peoples in their respective countries in order to raise awareness of its provisions.

Mr Chair,

6. The EU engages to improve the situation of indigenous peoples through its development cooperation strategies, always based on the principle of effective participation in projects related to their development and on their free, prior and informed consent.

7. Finally, Mr. President, in cases where indigenous peoples are living in several bordering countries, we believe that cross-border cooperation is important to promote their possibilities for maintaining the traditional ways of living. The EU Member States are committed to continue and enhance the regional cooperation in this regard.

I thank you, Mr Chair.

• Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.