Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities.

1987/34. Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities

The Commission on Human Rights, Mindful that one of the purposes of the United Nations as embodied in the Charter is to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Recalling Economic and Social Council resolution 1982/34 of 7 May 1982, in which the Council authorized the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to establish annually a working group on indigenous populations, with the mandate to review developments pertaining to the promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous populations, giving special attention to the evolution of standards concerning the rights of indigenous populations, Recalling also its resolution 1986/27 of 11 March 1986, in which it urged the Working Group on indigenous Populations to intensify its efforts, in carrying out its plan of action, to develop international standards in this field, Recalling further Sub-Commission resolution 1985/22 of 29 August 1985, whereby the Sub-Commission endorsed the plan of action drawn up by the Working Group for its future work, and the Group's decision to emphasize the part of its mandate related to standard-setting activities, Mindful of the invitation of the Sub-Commission in resolution 1985/22 to Governments, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to comment on the preliminary draft principles prepared by the Working Group at its fourth session. Bearing in mind that international standards must be developed on the basis of the diverse realities of indigenous populations in all parts of the world, Recalling General Assembly resolution 40/131 of 13 December 1985, by which the Assembly decided to establish a voluntary fund to facilitate the participation of representatives of indigenous communities and organizations in the deliberations of the Working Group, to be administered by five trustees with relevant experience on issues affecting indigenous populations, who would serve in their personal capacity, and considering the implementation of the criteria outlined in that resolution as a matter of the highest priority, Conscious that, in various situations, indigenous populations are unable to enjoy their inalienable human rights and fundamental freedoms, Determined to do everything possible to promote the enjoyment of the rights of indigenous populations,

1. Expresses its appreciation to the Chairman and the other members of the working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities and to observers for Governments, non-governmental organizations and, in particular, organizations and communities of indigenous peoples, who met informally at Geneva on 6 and 7 September 1986 to further the work of the Working Group notwithstanding the postponement of its fifth session;

2. Urges the Working Group to intensify its efforts, in carrying out its plan of action, to continue the elaboration of international standards based on a continued and comprehensive review of developments pertaining to the promotion and protection of the human rights of indigenous populations and of the situation and aspirations of indigenous populations throughout the world;

3. Encourages Governments to review and comment upon the preliminary draft principles contained in annex II to the report of the Working Group on its fourth session (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1985/22), as invited by the Sub-Commission;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to give all necessary assistance to the Working Group in discharging its tasks, including adequate dissemination of information about the activities of the Working Group to Governments, specialized agencies and relevant organizations of indigenous populations, in order to encourage the widest possible participation in its work;

5. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Chairman of the Sub-Commission, to appoint, without delay, the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations, composed of five persons with relevant experience on issues affecting indigenous populations, who will serve in their personal capacity, in accordance with subparagraph (e) of General Assembly resolution 40/131 .

54th meeting
10 March 1987
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIX.]