Geneva, 22 March 2007 - UNPO and doCip held a special information session for indigenous peoples representatives and other participants at the Human Rights Council today 

For many the apparent jungle of ever-changing modes and procedures of the new Council can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate as a newcomer or first time attendee. To provide some tips on effective participation and insight into the workings and developments of the Council, UNPO and doCip held an information session today at Palais des Nations, in an effort to especially welcome indigenous peoples and minority group representatives.

Director of doCip, Ms. Pierrette Birraux-Ziegler gave a background to indigenous peoples at the UN, with a historical perspective as well as more current developments. She particularly highlighted the efforts made by indigenous delegates in relation to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Working Group on Indigenous Populations (WGIP), and gave examples of how the indigenous community helped lower the threshold at the UN, through the creation of open assemblies (such as the WGIP).

Present from UNPO were Ngawang Drakmargyapon (Geneva representative) and Maria Skeie (Secretariat). UNPO further elaborated on the differences between the former Commission on Human Rights and the current Council, the latter's strenghts and weaknesses, and the effective use of Special Procedures, such as meeting with UN Special Rapporteurs and Independent Experts present at the Fourth Session. 

The importance of indigenous lobbying efforts at the Human Rights Council, in addition  to those aimed at the Declaration was particularly emphasised. Both UNPO and doCip noted with regret that the extent of participation of indigenous delegates at the Council is still limited, and lower than what could be desired, whilst working to ensure that the question of indigenous peoples is placed firmly on the agenda of the human rights body.

In addition to participants from indigenous peoples in South America, representatives from UNPO Member regions parttook in the event, including Assyria, Khmer Krom and Tibet.

UNPO has been running its Effective Participation programme for more than a decade at the UN, and doCip provides key services for indigenous participants at a series of UN events, both in Geneva and New York.