A rights-based approach to Indigenous issues

The United Nations will welcome hundreds of Indigenous Peoples from around the world for the 22nd session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) to be held in New York from 17 to 28 April. They will be discussing the most relevant and pressing issues with members of the Permanent Forum, Member States, and UN entities. Here are some key topics to look out for:

Health of the Planet = Health of Peoples

This year’s theme is “Indigenous Peoples, human health, planetary and territorial health and climate change: a rights-based approach”.

For Indigenous Peoples, the health of the planet and the health of people are intrinsically linked. Indigenous Peoples’ voices and knowledge hold a deep respect for Mother Earth and all life, now and for the future.

Indigenous environmental defenders continue to face threats, intimidation and attacks for defending their lands and territories. They have highlighted that there is an urgent need to recognize that the root causes of social and health inequities lie in oppressive and unsustainable relationships globally. Therefore, they have a critical role to play in providing solutions to the climate crisis. Their knowledge, practices and systems must be respected and promoted in all our climate action efforts.

Indigenous Women

Last year the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) adopted General Recommendation No.39, a landmark legal instrument that protects the rights of Indigenous Women and Girls. This tool will offer States and society a comprehensive vision of the scope of individual and collective rights from the perspective of Indigenous Women, with the aim to eliminate the various forms of discrimination affecting their lives. The Permanent Forum will hear from Indigenous Women about the impact of this positive step.

Indigenous languages

Around 4,000 of the 7,000 languages in the world are Indigenous languages. However, many are at risk of extinction. With the International Decade of Indigenous Languages underway (2022-2032), Indigenous Peoples will take the opportunity to share their vision on how to promote and strengthen their languages and cultures as well as recommend to the Permanent Forum on how to increase the number of Indigenous language speakers.

More details on the UNPFII can be found here. Follow the conversation on @UN4Indigenous on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and with the hashtags #WeAreIndigenous #NousSommesAutochtones #SomosIndígenas.

Source: UN DESA Voice