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Indigenous
Peoples need you -Ban ki-Moon
WSN Network
 The world’s
indigenous peoples — 370 million in 70 countries — are the
custodians of some of the most biologically diverse areas on earth.
They speak a majority of the world’s languages, and their
traditional knowledge, cultural diversity and sustainable ways of
life make an invaluable contribution to the world’s common heritage.
The adoption of
the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
by the General Assembly in 2007 was a landmark in the struggle of
indigenous peoples for justice, equal rights and development. There
have also been recent welcome steps at the national level; some
governments have apologised to indigenous peoples for past
injustices, and others have advanced legislative and constitutional
reforms.
Still,
indigenous peoples remain some of the most marginalised populations,
suffering disproportionately from poverty and inadequate access to
education. Many face discrimination and racism on a daily basis. All
too often, their languages face strictures or are threatened with
extinction, while their territories are sacrificed for mining and
deforestation.
Indigenous
peoples also tend to suffer from the low standards of health
associated with poverty, malnutrition, environmental contamination
and inadequate health care. With that in mind, this year’s
observance of the International Day focusses on the threat of
HIV/AIDS. It is essential that indigenous peoples have access to the
information and infrastructure necessary for detection, treatment
and protection.
Insufficient
progress in health, in particular, points to a persistent and
profound gap in many countries between the formal recognition of
indigenous peoples’ rights and the actual situation on the ground. On
this International Day, I call on governments and civil society to
act with urgency and determination to close this implementation gap,
in full partnership with indigenous peoples.
From the text of a message from U.N. Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon,
on the eve of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous
People, observed on August 9, 2009.
12
August 2009
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