International: UNPFII Welcomes New Zealand's Endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Written on 21 April 2010. Posted in Aotearoa (New Zealand)

Statement of Mr. Carlos Mamani, Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) Mr. Carlos Mamani, Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), welcomed New Zealand’s endorsement of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, issuing the following statement:

the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the UN General Assembly by an overwhelming majority of Member States in September 2007. Since that time, the few states that voted against or abstained at the vote have steadily been endorsing the Declaration, which is the most comprehensive normative framework that commits States and the United Nations system to the rights of indigenous peoples. I am very pleased that today, New Zealand has declared its support for the Declaration. In doing so, the Government of New Zealand has reaffirmed the principles of respect, non-discrimination and good faith enshrined in the Declaration. The Permanent Forum looks forward to continuing its engagement with the Government of New Zealand in a spirit of cooperation in order to advance the rights of indigenous peoples in New Zealand and around the world. The Permanent Forum also hopes that other countries will declare their support for the Declaration. Carlos Mamani, Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Tags: Global governance, Press releases