Appendix 5: Declaration of the International Indigenous Women's Forum

We, the women of the International Indigenous Women's Forum, have come together in New York in order to assess our situation five years after the Beijing Platform for Action. We reaffirm the Beijing Declaration of Indigenous Women, which came out of the Indigenous Women's Tent in Huairou in l995. The analysis, issues and proposals in the Declaration are still relevant and must be addressed.

Affirming that, as Indigenous Peoples, like all Peoples under international law, our inherent right to self-determination guarantees our ability to freely determine our political status and pursue our economic, social and cultural development. This includes our collective rights to land and territory, natural resources, biodiversity and intellectual property.

Affirming further, that as Indigenous Peoples, our lands and territories are inextricably linked to our survival, development, identity and self-determination.

Reaffirming also that as Indigenous women, we recognise that the wellness of our Peoples is dependent upon the past, present and future generations, the balance between men and women, the experience and knowledge of our elders and the energy of our youth.

Recognising that five years after Beijing, Indigenous women continue to experience extreme and disproportionate poverty, and face a decline in health, education, social, economic, cultural and political conditions. This is due to factors such as racism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, macroeconomic policies promoting trade and financial liberalisation, privatisation, deregulation and displacement.

back to top

Recognising also that Indigenous women face an increase in violence and trafficking of women and girls. Militarisation and armed conflict have also increased, leading to internal and external displacement, increased poverty and violations of human rights, particularly violence against Indigenous women.

Considering that the exploitation of natural resources in Indigenous Peoples' lands and territories, and the dumping of nuclear waste, and toxic and hazardous materials, infringes upon the human and collective rights of Indigenous Peoples by causing displacement and endangering lives.

We therefore recommend the following:

As the midpoint of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples has passed without seeing the adoption of the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we urge member-states to adopt it in its present form without further delay.

We urge governments and the United Nations to consistently use the term "Indigenous Peoples" in all international instruments.

We strongly urge UN member-states to continue their commitment as expressed by the Commission on Human Rights at its 56th Session, to establish a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples' Issues, as an effective mechanism for addressing Indigenous Peoples' concerns, with the full and equal participation of Indigenous Peoples and their organisations.

Recognising the devastating impact of multi-lateral organisations and lending institutions upon the socio-economic conditions of Indigenous Peoples, the World Bank should not be involved in shaping the social development policies and programs of governments. Likewise, the International Monetary Fund should not be involved in the macroeconomic policies of governments. Finally, the World Trade Organisation should recognise the rights of Indigenous Peoples to their territories and resources.

back to top

We call upon governments to honour the commitments made to Indigenous women in the Beijing Platform for Action without further delay. We strongly recommend that the lives and experiences of Indigenous Peoples be taken into account when implementing the Platform for Action.

We call for the ratification and implementation of all international instruments that relate to the lives and conditions of Indigenous Peoples, including the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

We call for an immediate moratorium on the patenting of all life forms, traditional knowledge and all forms of intellectual property.

Recognising the drastic poverty levels faced by Indigenous Peoples, including Indigenous women, we urge that the eradication of poverty amongst Indigenous Peoples be a priority.

We urge governments to implement, in full partnership with Indigenous Peoples, formal and informal education programs that respect our history, languages and cultures.

back to top

We urge governments to give a commitment to ensure that Indigenous women fully participate in decision-making at all levels, so that we are able to actively and effectively participate in policy decisions that affect our Peoples.

We call upon governments to ensure that Indigenous Peoples have full access, without any discrimination, to all medical institutions, health services, and medical care, including traditional medicines and health practices.

We call for the full and equal participation of Indigenous Peoples in the process leading up to and at the World Conference on Racism, Xenophobia and Other Forms of Discrimination, including mechanisms and resources to ensure our participation.

We urge governments, agencies and institutions to address the issue of displacement of Indigenous Peoples due to development aggression, armed conflict and other factors. This would include conflict resolution and reparations, with the full participation of Indigenous Peoples.

We strongly urge that governments review and address the proposals and demands contained within the Beijing Declaration of Indigenous Women, which to date have not been addressed.

Adopted by the participants of the International Indigenous Women's Forum on June 9, 2000 in New York City.

back to top

Back to Contents
[ Previous | Next ]