The US, the self-proclaimed protector of human rights, has failed to vote in favor of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Speaking to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) at the UN, Kenneth Deer, the representative of US and Canada Mohawk Indians, said that Washington had refrained from recognizing the UN declaration on indigenous rights.
Deer described the conditions of the Indians living in the US and Canada as catastrophic, saying that they enjoy the minimum life requirements.
He reiterated that despite living in a wealthy country, the Canadian Indians challenge unemployment, poverty and lack of healthcare and shelter.
Deer, who was speaking to IRNA on the sidelines of the Ninth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, added that now Canada is mulling to reconsider its vote on indigenous rights. But, he said, Washington has not moved to review its decision.
On Sept. 13, 2007 the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to protect their lands and resources, and to maintain their unique cultures and traditions.
About 370 million indigenous people live in the world. The US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand that are home to the world's major indigenous population have so far rejected to vote in favor of the UN rights declaration.
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5 comments:
As the battles continue to be fought over 500 treaties continue to be broken. AMERICAN INDIANS continue to live in subhuman conditions. Where is all that self righteous indignation now?
Don't cry to me over Arizonas immigration laws. It's about damn time someone in this country stood up and did something right.
American Indians have the same rights as everyone else in this country. This is just another victim class created by bleeding-heart liberals. Time for everyone to quit complaining.
I used to live in Nevada, I worked with an American Indian who did the same job as I did and got the same pay. We both were paid higher than the state average wage. He was a nice guy and never showed any animosity toward non-Indians. However, he lived free in government housing and received an addition subsidy for each child, and he often complained because the government wasn't giving him enough.
To 9:55, with the freedoms and opportunities in this country, anyone who is living "in subhuman conditions" is there by choice. No one is forcing them into squalor any more than forcing someone to choose drugs and sleep in a back alley. Life is what you make it -- do it right, you prosper; whine complain and stay where you are, then you get what you deserve.
1:32 you obviously don't realize what is at stake for those living on reservations. The government has relocation programs in place for anyone that wants to leave. They will find them housing in an urban ghetto, help with job assistance through local job service agencies. However, what they lose if they all leave is their treaty lands. The government would like nothing more than to get their hands on the few acres of indian land that remains. So yes, they make a choice to remain on their homelands rather than give what little they have to the government. Until you've lived on a reservation and experienced their life you won't know. Knowing and working with 1 indian doesn't give you the whole picture.
Any group that gets government assistance generation after generation become dependent and never learn to live with out it. Which ruins them as productive citizens.
Some of you are so ignorant, it just is unbelievable.
Indians were and are screwed repeatedly by the U.S. government, which packed them into reservations, killed off their culture, made them idle, boozed them out, treated them like dirt in schools. The list goes on.
They are Americans, 10:58, you moron, more than you and me. And yes, they fought in wars, including helping the U.S. win WWII with their code talk.
Anyone knocking the Indians is a no-nothing jackass.
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