Statement submitted by the undersigned Indigenous Peoples’ organizations and support organizations to the 61st Session of the Commission on Human Rights for the Extension of the CHRWG to Elaborate on a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

As many Commission (UNCHR) members are aware, the intersessional Working Group (UNCHR Res. 1995/32, 3 March 1995 (herein referred to as the CHRWG)) is authorized to further elaborate a draft U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In December 2004, the mandate of the CHRWG came to an end without achieving what was a “major objective” of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People – the adoption of a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the U.N. General Assembly. This crucial objective can still, and must, be achieved. The 2004 session of the CHRWG attained new levels of constructive dialogue and understanding.

This yielded widespread Indigenous/State agreement on a substantial number of articles of the draft U.N. Declaration. As a result, consensus should be achievable on a Declaration in future sessions of the Working Group. It is critical for Indigenous peoples worldwide that the mandate of the Working Group be extended by the Commission, so that a strong and uplifting U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will be adopted by the General Assembly as soon as possible. This is consistent with paragraph 12 of 20 December 2004 General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/59/174) on the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, which “Urges all parties involved in the process of negotiation to do their utmost to carry out successfully the mandate of the open-ended intersessional working group established by the Commission on Human Rights in its resolution l995/32 and to present for adoption as soon as possible a final draft United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples.” This was a consensus resolution, which means it passed without a vote.

We, the undersigned indigenous peoples' organizations and support organizations, vigorously appeal to the UN Commission on Human Rights not to suspend the discussions in the CHRWG since a suspension is likely to be detrimental to the adoption of a UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We hereby state that we want discussions in the CHRWG to continue, and therefore submit the following:

Recommendation

We respectfully urge the U.N. Commission on Human Rights to adopt a resolution extending the mandate of the CHRWG so that a strong U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will be adopted by the General Assembly as soon as possible.

SIGNATORIES/FIRMANTES :

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ ORGANIZATIONS

Organization /Organización Country/País
Or region

1. African Indigenous Women's Organization (AIWO) Africa.
(Umbrella organization of indigenous women Africa)
2. Agencia Internacional de Prensa India (Indígena) (AIPIN) Mexico
3. Ainu Association of Hokkaido Japan
4. Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN) Indonesia
(Federation Indigenous Organizations
in Indonesia)
5. All Tiwa Women Association India
6. All Nyishi Student's Union India
7. Anakbayan – Cordillera Philippines
8. Arunachal Citizens' Right India
9. Asamblea Nacional Indígena Plural por la Autonomía
(ANIPA) Mexico

10. Asociación de la Juventud Indigena Argentina Argentina
11. Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact Foundation (AIPP) Asia
(Network of indigenous peoples’ organizations in Asia)
12. Asian Indigenous Women’s Network (AIWN) Asia
(Coalition of indigenous women’s organizations in Asia)
13. Asia Pacific Indigenous Youth Network (APIYN) Asia
(Network of indigenous youth organizations in
Asia and Pacific)
14. Asociación de la Juventud Indigena Argentina Argentina
15. Asociacion Quechua-Aymara para Comunidades Sustentables,
ANDES Peru
16. Associação Indígena`Paresí Halitinã Brazil
17. Asociacion Servicios Educativos Rurales – SER Peru
18. Association of Communities “Yayar” (Elizovsky District of the Russia
Kamchatka Region)
19. Asociación Civil Sin Fines de Lucro "Wapulee" Venezuela
20. Asociación Civil Sin Fines de Lucro Venezuela
"Amuliajirawaa"
21. Asociación Civil de Comunidades Wayuu "Yanama de Venezuela
Guana"
22. Association of Itelmen Peoples (Elizovsky District of the Russia
Kamchatka Region)
23. ATTAQUA House (NKCC) South Africa
24. Bangladesh Adivasi Forum Bangladesh
25. Borok Women’s Forum India
26. Boro Women Justice Forum India
27. Bhutan Indigenous Women’s Forum Bhutan
28. Building Eastern Africa Communities Network (Beacon)
Kenya Chapter Kenya
29. Buryat Regional Department on Lake Baikal Russia
30. Central de Comunidades Nativas Ashaninkas
De La Selva Central (CECONSEC) Peru
31. Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) Malaysia
32. Center for Organisation, Research and Education
(CORE) India
33. Centre for Minority Rights (CEMIRIDE) Kenya
34. Central Independiente De Obreros Agricolas y
Campesinos Mexico
35. Centro de Desarolla de Kuna Yala Panama
36. Centro de Asistencia Legal Popular (CEALP) Panama
37. Centro Nacional de Misiones Indígenas, A.C. Mexico
38. Centro para el Desarrollo Indígena (CEDIN) Costa Rica
39. Centro de Promoción para el Desarrollo Comunal INTI Peru
40. Comisión de Mujeres Indigenas de Argentina (CONAMIRA) Argentina
41. Comunidad Indigena Tinkunaku Argentina
42. Confederacion Nacional de Organizaciones Campesinas,
Indigenas y Negras del Ecuador (FENOCIN) Ecuador
43. Congreso General Kuna Panama
44. Consejo de Pueblos Nahuas del Alto Balsas, Guerrero, A.C.
(CPNAB) Mexico
45. Cordillera Women’s Education and Resource Center,Inc. Philippines
(CWERC)
46. Corporation of the Tribal Communities of Indigenous Russia
Minorities of the Elizovsky District (Kamchatka Region)
47. Chin Human Rights Organization Burma
48. CHIRAPAQ, Centro de Culturas Indigenas de Perú Peru
49. CPA - Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance Philippines
(Federation of 140 indigenous Organizations in the Cordillera
region in the Philippines)
50. Comisión Jurídica de los Pueblos de Integración
Tawantinsuyana Peru
51. Cooperativa "Ayanamajirawaa" Venezuela
52. Coordinadora de Asuntos de la Mujer
Frente Indigena de Organizaciones Binacionales USA
53. Coordinadora Nacional de Mujeres Indígenas Mexico
54. Community Action and Research for Development India
55. CORE Indigenous Peoples' Centre for Policy and
Human Rights in India's North East (India) India
56. Dang-as Women Weavers Association Philippines
57. Departamente de Pastoral Indígena Ecuador
58. Dibrugarh Mancotta Kacharibari India
59. Dimasa Women Society India
60. Dolok Bango Indigenous Peoples' Forum India
61. El Comité de Solidaridad Triqui en el Area Metropolitana A.C.
( COSOT ) México
62. Enlace Continental de Mujeres Indigenas, Región Sudamérica South America
(Network of indigenous women’s organizations of
South America: Secretariat based in Peru)
63. Ethnic Women Network Thailand
(Network of indigenous women’s organizations
in Northern Thailand)
64. First Peoples Human Rights Coalition USA
65. Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action Australia
(FAIRA)
66. Fundación Apacheta Bolivia
67. Fundación Comunitaria Sin Fines de Lucro "Wanuiki" Venezuela
(Emisora Comunitaria)
68. Fundacion Intercultural Alitasia Venezuela
69. Fundasalud Indígenas Venezuela
70. Fundawayuu Venezuela
71. Hilltracts Women’s Federation Bangladesh
72. Hilltracts NGO Forum Bangladesh
(Umbrella organization of more than 50
Indigenous community organizations in Bangladesh)
73. Himalayan Indigenous Women Network (HIWN) Nepal

74. Hokotehi Moriori Trust Aotearoa/
New Zealand

75.ICC -Inuit Circumpolar Conference Greenland
(federation of indigenous organizations among
Inuit peoples) USA
Canada
Russia
76.INNABUYOG (Regional coalition of indigenous women’s
Organizations in the Cordillera region, Philippines) Philippines
77. Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ICITP) India
(umbrella organization of indigenous/tribal organizations
in India)
78. Indian Law Resource Center (ILRC) USA
79. Indigenous Information Network (IIN) Kenya
80. Indigenous Peoples’ Biodiversity Network (IPBN) International
81. Indigenous Peoples’ Global Research and Education
Network (IPGREN) International
82. Indigenous Women’s Forum, Northeast India India
83. Indigenous Women Leaders' Partnership India
84. International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples International
in Tropical Forests (IAITPTF)
(global coalition of indigenous/tribal organizations in
Asia, Africa And Latin America and the Caribbean)
85. IIWF - International Indigenous Women's Forum or International
FIMI (Forum of indigenous women’s organizations from t
he Americas, Asia,
Africa, and Europe, secretariat is based in the USA)
86. International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) USA
87. IPACC (Indigenous Peoples’ of Africa Coordinating Council) Africa
(Network of indigenous organizations in
South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso
Tanzania, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria
Rwanda, Uganda,etc.)
88. Itelmen Council of Kamchatka “Tkhsanom”, Russia
Koyrak Autonomous Okrug
89. Itelmen Community “Tarya” (Vlyuchinsk, Kamchatka Region) Russia
90. Jharkhandis Organization for Human Rights ( JOHAR ) India
91. Jokai Nabajyoti Mohila Samiti India
92. Kalinga Bodong Student Association Philippines
93. Kalinga Youth Development Organization Philippines
94. Kapaeng Bangladesh
95. Karbi Nimso Chingthur Asong India
96. Kamchadal Association of the Koryak Autonomous Okrug Russia
97. Kamchatka League of Independent Experts Russia
98. KAMP (Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayang
Pilipino) Philippines
(Council of indigenous peoples’ in the Philippines)
99. Karen Women’s Organization Burma
100. Kirat Rai Yayokkha Nepal
101.Kirat Yakthung Chumlung, Nepal
102. Kus-Kura S C Costa Rica
103. Las Mujeres Mayas De Jovel Mexico
104. Las Huellas Del Jaguar Mexico
106. Lesada Communications Network (Lesanet) Kenya
107. Mainyoto Pastoralists Indigenous Development
Organization (MPIDO) Kenya
108.Maasai Women’s Education and Development (MAWEED) Kenya
109. Maya Ik Mexico
110. Metis Nation of Ontario Canada
111. Metis National Council Canada
112. Meghalaya People's Human Rights Council India
113. Mon Unity League - MUL Thailand, Burma
114. Movimiento Indio por la Identidad Nacional "MOIIN" Venezuela
115. National Congress of American Indians USA
116. National Khoisan Consultative Conference of South Africa South Africa
(NKOK)
117. Native American Rights Fund USA
118. Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) Canada
119. Naga Peoples Movement
for Human Rights. (NPMHR) India
120. Naga Women’s Union-Manipur (NWUM) India
121. Na Koa Ikaika o Ka Lahui Hawaii Hawaii
122.NEFA Indigenous Human Rights Organisation India
123. Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) Nepal
(federation of indigenous organizations in Nepal)
124. Nepal Indigenous Peoples Development and Information
Service Centre(NIPDISC) Nepal
125. Nucleo de Afirmacion de Saber Andino (NASA)- Peru
126. OAFA (Organisation des Femmes Autochtones d'Afrique) Burkina Faso
127. Organización de la Nacion Aymara ONA Peru
128. Organizacion de los Pueblos Indigenas
de la Amazonia Colombiana. (OPIAC) Colombia
129. PACOS TRUST Sabah, Borneo Malaysia
130. PANAGTAGBO Mindanao
(United Indigenous Nations of Mindanao) Philippines
131. Pastoralists and Hunter Gatherers Ethnic Minorities Network
(PHGEMN) - Kenya
132.Parbatya Chattagram Janata Samhati Samity (PCJSS) Bangladesh
133. Peace Campaign Group (PCG) India
134. PINATUD ( Panagtignay Iti Nakurapay nga
Agtutubo para ti Tarigagay ti Umili a Demokrasya)
(organization of indigenous urban poor youth in Baguio City) Philippines
135.Pokot Indigenous Peoples for Sustainable Development –
Sorta Sopon Kenya.
136. PRODECAP Sadad West Africa
Regional Branch for West Africa of IPACC
137. Programa Pueblos Indigenas CEALP Panama
138. Programa de Desarrollo Econçomico y Social de la Guatemala
Mujer "Kichçin Konojel
139. Progressive Igorots for Social Action (PIGSA) Philippines
140. RAIPON – Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the
North (federation of indigenous organizations in Russia) Russia
141. RAIPON Ethno-Ecological Information Centre “Lach”
Information Center “Indigenous Kamchatka” Russia
142. Red de Mujeres Indígenas del Estado Zulia: Venezuela
integrada por 26 redes de mujeres.
143. Red de Mujeres Indígenas Warao y de Ambiente del Venezuela
Estado Delta Amacuro
144. Red de Mujeres Indígenas Wayuu del Estado Mérida Venezuela
145. Red de Mujeres Indígenas Pumé del Esyado Apure Venezuela
146. Red de Mujeres Indígenas Kariña del Estado Sucre Venezuela
147. Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the
North, Kamchatka Region Russia
148. Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Russia
the Bystrinsky District, of the Kamchatka Region
149. Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Russia
the Milkovsky District, of the Kamchatka Region
150. Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Russia
the Sobolevsky District, of the Kamchatka Region
151. Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Russia
the Ust-Kamchatksy District, of the Kamchatka Region
152. Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Russia
the Elizovsky District, of the Kamchatka Region
153. Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Russia
the Karaginsky District, of the Koryak Autonomous Okrug
154. Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Russia
the Olyutorsky District, of the Koryak Autonomous Okrug
155. Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North,
of the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Russia
156. Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North of
Vlyuchinsk, Kamchatka Region Russia
157. Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North of
Klyuch, Kamchatka Region Russia
158. Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Russia
of Palana, Koyrak Autonomous Okrug
159. Red de radios y telecentros comunitarios Wayra Bolivia
160. Rongmei Luc Phuam India
161. Rumai Lachon Mishing Mohila Samiti India
162. Rural Development Society India

163. Saami Council Norway
(umbrella organization of indigenous organizations among Samis Sweden
In the following countries) Finland
Russia

164. Servicios Del Pueblo Mixe Mexico
165. SouthAsia Indigenous Women’s Forum South Asia
166. Shan Women’s Action Network (SWAN) Burma/Thailand
167. Social Movement for the Protection of the Rights of
Indigenous Minorities of Kamchatka “Aborigen”
(Kamchatka Region)
168. Tamang Women Ghedung Nepal
169. Taller Permanente de Mujeres Indigenas
Andinas y Amazónicas del Perú. Peru
170. Tasglat North and West Africa
(Pastoralist Tuareg Organisation)
171. Taungya Bangladesh
172. Tebtebba (Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for
Policy Research and Education) International.
173. Themchung Group Kangpokpi India
174. Threatened Indigenous Peoples' Society (India) India

175. Tin Hinan Burkina Faso
(coalition of nomadic indigenous women’s organizations Mali
in the following countries) Niger

176. Trinamul Unnayan Sangstha Bangladesh
177. Tribal Community “Yako” (Elizovo, Elizovsky District Russia
of the Kamchatka Region)
178. Tribal Community “Pimchakh” (Sosnovk, Elizovsky Russia
District of the Kamchatka Region)
179. Tribal Community “Koyana” (Central Koryak Russia
Elizovsky District)
180. Tuklas Katutubo (National Indigenous Youth Organization Philippines
Of the Philippines)
181. Umoja Women Group Kenya
182. Warã Instituto Indígena Brasileiro Brasil

SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

1. Agencia Latinoamericana de Información - ALAI Ecuador
2. ALMACIGA Spain
3. Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development
APWLD Asia
4. Center for Human Rights and Development Mongolia
5. Cultural Survival USA
6. DCMI (DIOPIM Committee on Mining Inititiatives) Philippines
7. Ecological Society of the Philippines Philippines
8. Forest Peoples’ Program United Kingdom
9. Fundación Centro de Cooperación al Indígena (CECOIN) Colombia
10. GABRIELA (National Coalition of women’s organizations
In the Philippines) Philippines
11. Hans Caycedo
Asesor Manejo de Bosques y Fort. Organiz.
Portafolio Amazonía, SNV-Perú Peru
12. Hawaii Institute for Human Rights USA
13. Indigenous Peoples’ Links (PIPLinks) United Kingdom
14. International Workgroup on Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) Denmark
15.International Workgroup on Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) USA
(Andrea Muehlebach, University of Chicago)
16. Land is Life USA
17. MADRE: An International Women's Human Rights Organization USA
18. Mineral Policy Institute Australia
19. Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples (NCIV) Netherlands
20. Paul L.A.H. Chartrand, I.P.C., Professor of Law Canada
College of Law, University of Saskatchewan
21. SAMATA India
22. Shimin Gaikou Centre Japan
23. Society for Threatened Peoples Germany
24. Advisasi Coordination Germany Germany
25. Tierraviva a los Pueblos Indígenas del Chaco Paraguay
26. Universal Esperanto-Association Netherlands