TODAY August 9th 2010, marks the 17th annual International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples represents an effort to further strengthen international cooperation in solving the problems faced by Indigenous communities in areas such as culture, education, health, human rights, the environment, and social and economic development.
Indigenous Peoples are among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable peoples in the world. They continue to suffer persistent and widespread discrimination and other grave human rights violations. Past and ongoing colonization and land and resource dispossession have resulted in their impoverishment. The plight of indigenous peoples has most recently been captured in this beautiful photo exhibit created by Dana Gluckstein.
In the United States, nearly 24% of Indigenous persons live in poverty. And Native women in the U.S. are particularly vulnerable – more than one in three Native American and Alaska Native women will be raped in their lifetime and face rates of sexual violence 2.5 times greater than that of women in general in the U.S. Read Amnesty’s 2007 Maze of Injustice report for more information about the situation facing Native American and Alaska Native women in the United States.
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is a non-legally binding human rights instrument which affirms universal minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well being of all Indigenous Peoples. It recognizes the right of Indigenous Peoples, as both a collective and as individuals, to fully enjoy their basic human rights – including Indigenous cultural rights and identity and the right to education, health, employment, and language. The UNDRIP publicly opposes discrimination against Indigenous Peoples and promotes their full and effective participation in all matters that concern them.
In 2007, the UNDRIP was adopted by the United Nations after a vote by the overwhelming majority of states. The United States was one of four countries, along with Australia, Canada and New Zealand, that voted against the Declaration. However, earlier this year the Administration announced that it was formally reviewing the U.S. position on the Declaration – voice your support and let President Obama know you want to see the U.S. endorse the UNDRIP now!
Leo, Agosti 9, ni siku ya 17 ya kimataifa ya watu wa asili duniani. Siku ya Kimataifa ya Watu wa Asili ya Dunia ilianzishwa na Mkutano Mkuu wa Umoja wa Mataifa mwaka 1994 na inawakilisha juhudi za kuimarisha ushirikiano wa kimataifa katika kutatua matatizo yanayokabili jamii za wenyeji katika maeneo kama vile utamaduni, elimu, afya, haki za binadamu, mazingira, na maendeleo ya kijamii na kiuchumi. Watu wa asili ni miongoni mwa watu walio hatarini na walio hatarini zaidi ulimwenguni. Wanaendelea kuteseka kutokana na ubaguzi unaoendelea na ulioenea sana na ukiukaji mwingine mkubwa wa haki za binadamu. Ukoloni wa zamani na unaoendelea na ukombozi wa ardhi na rasilimali umesababisha umaskini wao. Hali mbaya ya watu wa asili hivi karibuni imeonyeshwa katika maonyesho haya mazuri ya picha yaliyoundwa na Dana Gluckstein. Katika nchi za Ulaya, karibu asilimia 24 ya watu wa asili wanaishi katika umaskini. Wanawake wa asili ya Amerika na Alaska wanaathiriwa na unyanyasaji wa kijinsia mara mbili na nusu zaidi ya wanawake wa Amerika ya Asili na Alaska. Azimio la Umoja wa Mataifa la Haki za Wenyeji wa Asili ni hati ya haki za binadamu isiyo na kisheria inayohusisha ambayo inathibitisha viwango vya chini vya ulimwengu kwa ajili ya kuishi, heshima na ustawi wa watu wote wa asili. Inatambua haki ya watu wa asili, kama jamii na kama watu binafsi, kufurahia kikamilifu haki zao za msingi za binadamu - ikiwa ni pamoja na haki za kitamaduni na utambulisho wa wenyeji na haki ya elimu, afya, ajira, na lugha. UNDRIP inapinga waziwazi ubaguzi dhidi ya watu wa asili na inakuza ushiriki wao kamili na wa kweli katika masuala yote yanayowahusu. Mkataba wa UNDRIP ulikubaliwa na Umoja wa Mataifa mwaka 2007 baada ya kura ya kura ya idadi kubwa ya mataifa. Marekani ilikuwa moja ya nchi nne, pamoja na Australia, Canada na New Zealand, ambazo zilipiga kura dhidi ya Azimio hilo. Hata hivyo, mapema mwaka huu, utawala ulitangaza kuwa ilikuwa rasmi kukagua msimamo wa Marekani juu ya Azimio <unk> sauti msaada wako na basi Rais Obama kujua unataka kuona Marekani kuidhinisha UNDRIP sasa!