Statement by the Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus
United Nations
Permanent Forum llth Session
New York, 1-18 May 2012
Item 3 Discussion on the special theme for the year:
"The Doctrine of Discovery: its enduring impact on
indigenous peoples and the right to redress for past conquests (articles 28 and
37 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples)."
Presented by Arthur Manuel, Global Indigenous Caucus
Thank you Mr. Chair.
The Global Caucus recommends that the Permanent Forum
acknowledge that the doctrine of discovery, both in theory and in on-going
practice, constitutes the subjugation of peoples to alien subjugation,
domination and exploitation. It is
the denial of fundamental inherent human rights, is contrary to the Charter of
the United Nations and is an impediment to the promotion of world peace and
cooperation.
Further, we implore the Permanent Forum to acknowledge and
to transmit to other agencies of the United Nations that the doctrine of
discovery is an expression of racism, xenophobia and discrimination - that it
represents a regime of systematic oppression and domination by one racial or
religious group over another, and it is committed to the intention of
maintaining that regime. As such, the continuing operation of the doctrine of
discovery should be recognized as a crime against humanity and should be
condemned as such.
We propose, as the Permanent Forum's Expert Group Meeting
next year, the development of models and mechanisms for conflict resolution,
restitution, redress and peace-building using the framework offered through the
operation/implementation of articles 27, 28 and 40 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples.
The proposed focus would be to discuss and make proposals
for the development of such mechanisms at the national and international
levels.
The Expert Group Meeting would serve as an opportunity for
Indigenous peoples of the various regions of the world to discuss the
development of mechanisms for reparations, non-recurrence and conflict
resolution, taking into account as well Articles 18 and 19 of the Declaration regarding participation and
Free, Prior and Informed Consent.
In this regard, we further propose the inclusion of Indigenous
knowledge, innovations and practices in the EGM. Indigenous youth and Indigenous women must be among the
experts included at the EGM.
We further recommend that the UNPFII prepare an International
Study on the dominating, dehumanizing, and terracidal effects of the international
construct known as "the Doctrine of Discovery" upon the health, physical,
psychological, social, well-being, human and collective rights, lands,
resources, medicines, titles to such lands, resources, medicines - and
particularly on Indigenous women as manifested in forms of conceptual and
behavioral violence against them. The
Study will be submitted to the UNPFII in 2014 as an addendum to the UN Year of
Indigenous Peoples, with recommendations addressing the issues of the
discoveries and findings of this Study.
We appreciate and endorse the inclusion of the concept of
environmental violence in the report of the UNPFII international expert group
meeting entitled "Combating violence against indigenous women and girls:
article 22 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples" submitted under item 3 of
the 11th Session, and encourage the Permanent Forum to continue addressing this
critical matter in future discussions.
We endorse the Statement of the Indigenous Women's Caucus
under Item 3 to this Session of the Permanent Forum. We anticipate the report
of the 2nd International Indigenous Women's Environmental and Reproductive Health
Symposium and look forward to working with Permanent forum and Indigenous
Peoples to implement its recommendations.
Further to this endorsement, we propose that an International
Study be carried out providing review and assessment of all UNPFII
recommendations, including their implementation, respecting Indigenous women
with a particular focus on the dehumanization and violence against Indigenous
women. Indigenous women should be
specifically consulted and recognized for their expertise on these matters. The proposed study would canvas a wide
range of issues and challenges, such as the role of women in the creative
innovations of Indigenous cultures and knowledge systems, maternal health and
related rights, and the lack of protection of rights of Indigenous women under
domestic legislation such as labor laws, criminal laws and environmental laws.
Further to article 29 and 32 of the UN Declaration, that the theme of the UNPFII 13th Session be focused
on Mining and Extractive Industries and impact on Indigenous peoples within the
context and the mandate of the UNPFII. We also propose as a future theme the criminalization of Indigenous
Peoples in the exercise of their rights.
We also encourage you to consider including a half-day focal
discussion on the critical issue of the World Bank, its impacts on Indigenous
Peoples, and policy changes needed to implement the UN Declaration.
Finally, we recommend that permanent seats in the United
Nations General Assembly be established for Indigenous Peoples.
In conclusion, we are cautious in light of the fact that
through the continued use of non-Indigenous languages, terminology and perspectives in
describing the doctrine of discovery, we may inadvertently encourage the
reproduction of such perspectives amongst our own peoples. The Doctrine of Discovery
is a multi-faceted concept. The Global Caucus understands the concept of the
doctrine of discovery as applying worldwide, not limited to Christian or
European colonization and domination. The same inhumane treatments have and
continue to be imposed upon Indigenous Peoples in all regions of the world, perpetuating
exclusion, racism and discrimination, alienation from decision making processes
and "invisibility" within state institutions, even within the international
fora.
It must be recognized that
in fundamental terms, the doctrine of discovery challenges the just claims of Indigenous
Peoples, in particular with respect to processes of decolonization and the
implementation of Article 3 of the Declaration respecting self-determination.
The
discussion of the doctrine of discovery must include reference to domestic
legislation of member states, such as immigration legislation, as well as
challenge the establishment of state borders, which do not reflect the traditional
lands and territories of Indigenous peoples, that have been established further
to the doctrine of discovery. We fundamentally disagree with the current
practices of states to criminalize the movements of Indigenous Peoples across
borders.
The doctrine may be understood in contemporary terms as a
Doctrine of Development, with Indigenous peoples and Mother Earth subject to domination
and subjugation under corporate hands. State governments facilitate the
doctrine of discovery for the purpose of development and privilege the rights
of corporations while negating, derogating and abrogating the rights of Indigenous
Peoples.
We draw the attention of the Permanent Forum to the recent
recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in
their reviews of Canada and the United States, which require the state parties
to take measures to prevent transnational corporations registered in Canada and
the United States from carrying out activities that negatively impact on the
enjoyment of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in territories outside their
state borders, and hold them accountable. Furthermore, national and international
financial institutions, including banks, contribute to criminal and detrimental
activities that violate the rights of Indigenous peoples. Issues related to lands, waters and
other territories of Indigenous Peoples are not limited to actions of the private sector or
state governments. The Global Caucus is deeply concerned about the militarization of
Indigenous waters, lands and territories where such lands and territories are
rich in natural resources. In effect, Indigenous Peoples are being killed or displaced to "clear the land" for development.
Indigenous legal and judicial systems exist today. Indigenous knowledge systems exist today.
Indigenous languages continue to be spoken. We have not been overcome by the doctrine of discovery, in
spite of the continued application of this doctrine, in all regions of the
world. We will continue to exercise and assert our rights as described in the
UN Declaration and in our own Indigenous laws.
