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

1988/44. Report of the 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 1987/34 of 10 March 1987, in which it urged the Working Group on Indigenous Populations to intensify its efforts, in carrying out its plan of action, to continue the elaboration of international standards in this field, Recalling further Sub-Commission resolution 1987/16 of 2 September 1987, whereby the Sub-Commission endorsed the recommendation that the Working Group make every effort to complete a draft declaration on indigenous rights as soon as possible, Having examined the report (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1987/22 and Add.1) of the Working Group on its fifth session, held from 3 to 7 August 1987, Conscious that, in various situations, indigenous populations are unable to enjoy their inalienable human rights and fundamental freedoms, 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, Determined to do everything possible to promote the enjoyment of the rights of indigenous populations, Welcoming the appointment by the Secretary-General of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations and the fact that the Board will be holding its first session in April 1988 with view to facilitating indigenous participation in the activities of the Working Group's sixth session,

1. Expresses its appreciation to the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities for its valuable work, in particular the progress made at its fifth session in the area of standard setting, and for its continued broad approach and flexible methods of work;

2. Further expresses its appreciation for the active and constructive participation in the work of the Working Group of observers for Governments, specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations and, in particular, organizations and communities of indigenous populations;

3. Encourages Governments and indigenous organizations and communities, as well as other interested parties, to review and comment upon the preliminary draft principles contained in annex II to the report of the Working Group on its fifth session (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1987/22), as invited by the Sub-Commission;

4. Urges the Working Group to intensify its efforts to continue and to complete as soon as possible 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 situations and aspirations of indigenous populations throughout the world;

5. 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, non-governmental organizations and organizations and communities of indigenous populations, in order to encourage the widest possible participation in its work;

6. Expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the Governments and organizations which have already made contributions to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations;

7. Appeals to all Governments, organizations and individuals in a position to do so to consider favourably requests for initial as well as further contributions to the Fund.

52nd meeting
8 March 1988
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIX.]
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