Racism against Indigenous Peoples
Despite of all the good intentions that were enshrined in the United Nations Charter in 1945, the historic document has not changed the world to the extent that it was intended to do. Neither have many of the latter declarations that have been adopted by the United Nations.
The efforts by the international community to pursue the realisation of Human Rights and fundamental freedoms for all regardless of race, gender, language and religion have proven to be inadequate. Today racial discrimination, ethnic conflicts and widespread violence persist in many parts of the world.
Millions of human beings continue to encounter discrimination solely due to the colour of their skin or other factors that indicate ethnic difference.
Indigenous peoples are just one group among the many discriminated against. Ethnic minorities, migrants, and asylum seekers are others who are not met with the respect that should be fundamental to all human beings. There is persistent and in some cases even increasing discrimination against these groups
The World Conference against Racism in South Africa 2001
The World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR), which took place in South Africa from 31 August to 7 September 2001, presented an opportunity to create a new world vision for the fight against racism in the twenty-first century. IWGIA participated actively and published a book and an issue of indigenous affairs focusing on Racism. Both publications were widely distributed at the Conference as well as to IWGIA's network and subscribers.
The conference focused on practical steps to eradicate racism by considering how to ensure that international standards and instruments are applied in efforts to combat racism. It also formulated recommendations for further action to combat bias and intolerance.
CERD
In 1963 the UN General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), which also has great importance for indigenous peoples. Click here to read more about the Convention. The Convention is monitored by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). All States parties are obliged to submit regular reports to the Committee on how the rights are being implemented. Indigenous peoples organisations and others have the possibility to submit so-called shadow reports and present their views to the Committee members before the state reports are officially examined.
Read more about Racism
Racism against Indigenous Peoples, ed. by Suhas Chakma & Marianne Jensen, IWGIA 2001
Indigenous Affairs 1/2001 - Racism (the whole publication can be downloaded)
Continuing Racism against Indigenous Peoples, by Alberto Saldamando (this article appeared in Indigenous Affairs 1/2002 Political Processes)
Report of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance (WCAR, 2001)
Economic Exclusion and Discrimination: The Experiences of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples Report by Minority Rights Group International, 2003
Combating Racial Discrimination: the UN and its Member States Report by Minority Rights Group International, 2000
|
|
 Van Gujar, India
Photo: Christian Erni
 Bushmen, Botswana
Photo: Arthur Krasilnikoff
 Ayoreo, Bolivia
Photo: Pablo Lasansky
 Yamal Nenets, Russia
Photo: Kathrin Wessendorf
 Kavet, Cambodia
Photo: Christian Erni |
