SECTION TWO
HUMAN RIGHTS
I.
INTERNATIONAL AUTHORITIES AND PRECEDENTS
1.
Draft United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
(UN 1994)
Article 1: "Indigenous
peoples have the right to the full and effective enjoyment of all human
rights and fundamental freedoms recognized in the Charter of the United
Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human
rights law."
Article 6: "Indigenous
peoples have the collective right to live in freedom, peace and
security..."
Article 7: "Indigenous
peoples have the collective and individual right not to be subjected to
enthocide."
Art 8: "Indigenous peoples
have the collective and individual right to maintain and develop their
distinct identities and characteristics, including the right to identify
themselves as indigenous and to be recognized as such."
On indigenous peoples' participation:
Article
37: "States shall take effective and appropriate measures, in
consultation with the indigenous peoples concerned, to give full effect to
the provisions of this Declaration. The rights recognized herein shall be
adopted and included in national legislation in such a manner that
indigenous peoples can avail themselves of such rights in practice."
Article 38: "Indigenous
peoples have the right to have access to adequate financial and technical
assistance, from States and through international cooperation, to pursue
freely their political, economic, social, cultural and spiritual development
and for the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognized in this
Declaration."
Article 40: "The organs and
specialized agencies of the United Nations system and other
intergovernmental organizations shall contribute to the full realization of
the provisions of this Declaration through the mobilization, inter alia, of
financial cooperation and technical assistance. Ways and means of ensuring
participation of indigenous peoples on issues affecting them shall be
established."
Article 41: "The United
Nations shall take the necessary steps to ensure the implementation of this
Declaration including the creation of a body at the highest level with
special competence in this field and with the direct participation of
indigenous peoples. All United Nations bodies shall promote respect for and
full application of the provisions of this Declaration."
2.
C 169, Convention on Indigenous and Tribal People (ILO Convention
1989)
Article 2:
1. "Governments
shall have the responsibility for developing, with the participation of the
peoples concerned, co-ordinated and systematic action to protect the rights
of these peoples and to guarantee respect for their integrity.
2. Such action shall
include measures for:
(a) ensuring that members of
these peoples benefit on an equal footing from the rights and opportunities
which national laws and regulations grant to other members of the
population; (b) promoting the full realization of the social, economic and
cultural rights of these peoples with respect for their social and cultural
identity, their customs and traditions and their institutions; (c) assisting
the members of the peoples concerned to eliminate socio-economic gaps that
may exist between indigenous and other members of the national community, in
a manner compatible with their aspirations and ways of life."
Article 4:
1. "Special
measures shall be adopted as appropriate for safeguarding the persons,
institutions, property, labor, cultures and environment of the peoples
concerned.
2. Such special measures
shall not be contrary to the freely-expressed wishes of the peoples
concerned.
3. Enjoyment of the
general rights of citizenship, without discrimination, shall not be
prejudiced in any way by such special measures."
Article 6:
1. "In applying the
provisions of this Convention, governments shall:
(a) consult the peoples
concerned, through appropriate and in particular through their
representative institutions whenever consideration is being given to
legislative or administrative measures which may affect them directly;
(b) establish means by which
these peoples can freely participate to at least the same extent as other
sectors of the population, at all levels of decision-making in elective
institutions and administrative and other bodies responsible for policies
and programs which concern them;
(c) establish means for the
full development of these peoples' own institutions and initiatives, and in
appropriate cases provide the resources necessary for this purpose.
2) The consultations
carried out in application of this Convention shall be undertaken, in good
faith and in a form appropriate to the circumstances, with the objective of
achieving agreement or consent to the proposed measures."
Article 33:
1. "The
governmental authority responsible for the matters covered in this
Convention shall ensure that agencies or other appropriate mechanisms exist
to administer the programs affecting the peoples concerned, and shall ensure
that they have the means necessary for the proper fulfillment of the
functions assigned to them.
2. These programs shall
include:
(a) the planning,
co-ordination, execution and evaluation, in co-operation with the peoples
concerned, of the measures provided for in this Convention; (b) the
proposing of legislative and other measures to the competent authorities and
supervision of the application of the measures taken, in co-operation with
the peoples concerned."
3. American Convention on Human Rights (OAS 1969)
Article
1(1): “The States Parties to this Convention undertake to respect the
rights and freedoms recognized herein and to ensure to all persons subject
to their jurisdiction the free and full exercise of those rights and
freedoms, without any discrimination for reasons of race, color, sex,
language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin,
economic status, birth, or any other social condition.”
4.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (UN 1966)
Article 2(1): “Each State Party
to the present Covenant undertakes to respect and to ensure to all
individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights
recognized in the present Covenant, without distinction of any kind, such as
race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national
or social origin, property, birth or other status.”
Article 2(2): “Where not
already provided for by existing legislative or other measures, each State
Party to the present Covenant undertakes to take the necessary steps, in
accordance with its constitutional processes and with the provisions of the
present Covenant, to adopt such legislative or other measures as may be
necessary to give effect to the rights recognized in the present
Covenant.”
Article 27: “In those States in
which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities exist, persons belonging to
such minorities shall not be denied the right in community with the other
members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice
their own religion, or to use their own language.”
Article 40(1): “The State
Parties to the present Covenant undertake to submit reports on the measures
they have adopted which give effect to the rights recognized herein...”
5.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Article 2(1): “Each State Party
to the present Covent undertakes to take steps, individually and through
international assistance and co-operation, especially economic and
technical, to the maximum of its available resources, with a view to
achieving progressively the full realization of the rights recognized in the
present Covenant by all appropriate means, including particularly the
adoption of legislative measures.”
Article 16(1): “The States
Parties to the present Covenant undertake to submit in conformity with this
part of the Covenant reports on the measures which they have adopted and the
progress made in achieving the observance of the rights recognized
herein."
Article 23: “The State Parties
to the present Covenant agree that international action for the achievement
of the rights recognized in the present Covenant includes such methods as
the conclusion of conventions, the adoption of recommendations, the
furnishing of technical assistance and the holding of regional meetings and
technical meetings for the purpose of consultation and study organized in
conjunction with the Governments concerned." 6.
International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial
Discrimination (UN 1965)
Article 5: “States Parties
undertake to prohibit and to eliminate racial discrimination in all its
forms and to guarantee the right of everyone,...(d)(v) The right to own
property alone as well as in association with others."
Article 7: “State Parties
undertake to adopt immediate and effective measures, particularly in the
fields of teaching, education, culture and information, with a view to
combating prejudices which lead to racial discrimination and to promoting
understanding, tolerance and friendship among nations and racial or ethnical
groups, as well as propagating the purposes and principles of the Charter of
the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United
Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination, and this Convention.”
Article 9(1): “State Parties
undertake to submit to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, ...a
report on the legislative, judicial, administrative or other measures which
they have adopted and which give effect to the provisions of this
Convention."
7.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UN 1948)
Article 1: “All human beings
are born free and equal in dignity and rights...”
Article 2: “Everyone is
entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this declaration,
without discrimination of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language,
religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property,
birth or other status.”
Article 17(1): “Everyone has
the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.”
Article 29(1): “Everyone has
duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his
personality is possible”
8.
Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic
Religious or Linguistic Minorities (UN 1990)
Article 3(1): “Persons
belonging to minorities may exercise their rights including those set forth
in this Declaration, individually as well as in community with other members
of their group, without any discrimination.”
Article 4(2): “States shall
take measures to create favorable conditions to enable persons belonging to
minorities to express their characteristics and to develop their culture,
language, religion, traditions and customs, except where specific practices
are in violation of national law and contrary to international standards.”
9.
Charter of Civil Society (CARICOM)
Article
XI: Rights of Indigenous Peoples
"The State
recognizes the contribution of the indigenous peoples to the
development process and undertake to continue to protect their historical
rights and respect the culture and way of life of these peoples."
10.
African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Banjul Charter 1981)
Article 2: “Every individual
shall be entitled to the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognized and
guaranteed in the present Charter without distinction of any kind such as
race, ethnic group, color, sex, language, religion, political or any other
opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status.”
Article 25: “States parties to
the present Charter shall have the duty to promote and ensure through
teaching, education, and publication, the respect of the rights and freedoms
contained in the present Charter and to see to it that these freedoms and
rights as well as corresponding obligations and duties are understood.”
Article 26: “States parties to
the present Charter shall have the duty to guarantee the independence of the
Courts and shall allow the establishment and improvement of appropriate
national institutions entrusted with the promotion and protection of the
rights and freedoms guaranteed by the present Charter.”
11. Vienna
Convention on the Law of Treaties. (1969)
“The
State Parties to the present Convention...[H]aving in mind the principles of
international law embodied in the Charter of the United Nations, such as the
principles of equal rights and self-determination of peoples of universal
respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for
all.”
12.
Summit of the Americas Declaration of Principles, Partnership for
Development and Prosperity: Democracy, Free Trade and Sustainable
Development in the Americas signed by 34 heads of State in Miami, Florida
(1994)
"...Our ultimate goal is to
better meet the needs of the population, especially the needs of women and
the most vulnerable groups, including indigenous people, the disabled,
children, the aged, and minorities."
"In observance of the
International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, we will focus our
energies on improving the exercise of democratic rights and the access to
social services by indigenous people and their communities."
13.
Summit of the Americas: Plan of Action, signed by 34 heads of state
participating in the Summit of the Americas (Miami, Florida 1994)
I.
"Preserving and Strengthening the Community of Democracies of
the Americas.
2. Promoting and
Protecting Human Rights.
Governments will: Review and
strengthen laws for the protection of the rights of minority groups and
indigenous people and communities to ensure freedom from discrimination, to
guarantee full and equal protection under the law, and to facilitate active
civic participation. Support a process to review and enhance the protection
of indigenous rights in OAS member states and to develop promptly an
effective United Nations declaration on indigenous rights."
14.
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Report on the Situation of
Human Rights of a Segment of the Nicaraguan Population of Miskito Origin and
Resolution on the Friendly Settlement Procedure Regarding the Human Rights
Situation of a Segment of the Nicaraguan Population of Miskito Origin
Case No. 7964 (Nicaragua 1984)
Second
Part. B. Special Protectionof Miskitos as ethnic group.
14.
“En concepto de la Comisión, para que un grupo étnico pueda
subsistir preservando sus valores culturales, es fundamental que sus
componentes puedan gozar de todos los derechos reconocidos por la Convención
Americana de Derechos Humanos, pues de esta forma se garantiza su efectivo
funcionamiento como grupo, lo cual incluye la preservación de una identidad
cultural propia. De esta manera se vinculan a esta situación los derechos a
la protección de la honra y la dignidad; a la libertad de pensamiento y de
expresión: y el derecho de reunión y asociación; el derecho de circulación
y de residencia y el derecho elegir sus autoridades...“
15.
“...A ellos deben agregarse los aspectos vinculados con la
organización productiva lo cual incluye entre otros el problema de las
tierras ancestrales y comunales. No respetar estos derechos y valores
culturales conduce a una asimilación forzosa con resultados que pueden ser
desastrosos.”
II.
DOMESTIC AUTHORITIES AND PRECEDENTS
15. Argentina
- Ley No. 23.302 de 1985 (Ley Nacional del Indígena)
Artículo 1. “Declárase de interés nacional la
atención y apoyo a los aborígenes y a las comunidades indígenas
existentes en el país, y su defensa y desarrollo... A este fin, se
implementarán planes que permitan ... la preservación de sus pautas
culturales en los planes de enseñanza... "
- Constitución de la Nación Argentina (1994)
Artículo 75(19): "... Dictar leyes que protejan
la identidad y pluralidad cultural, la libre creación y circulación de las
obras de autor, el patrimonio artístico y los espacios culturales y
audiovisuales”.
16. Bolivia
- Decreto 7765 de 1966 (Ley de Colonización)
Artículo
93: "... se deben respetar en forma "... irrestrictamente las áreas
de explotación colectiva o individual de los grupos étnicos marginales”.
- Ley 1.700 de 1996 (Ley
General Forestal)
Artículo
39: "importancia del área para la subsistencia de tribus selvícolas”.
Artículo 120: "...el Centro de Desarrollo
Forestal tiene la obligación de delimitar...las áreas del territorio
nacional apropiadas para la supervivencia de las tribus selvícolas
garantizando y protegiendo sus fuentes de caza y pesca”.
- Ley 201 de 1962
Artículo1: "se deberá reconocer el derecho de
propiedad, colectivo o individual, en favor de los miembros de las
poblaciones indígenas, sobre las tierras tradicionalmente ocupadas por
ellos..”.
- Resolución Suprema No. 205862 de 1989
Artículo
1: "Se declara la necesidad social y nacional, el reconocimiento,
asignación y tenencia de áreas territoriales en favor de grupos selvícolas
y comunidades indígenas originarias del Oriente y la Amazonia para
garantizar su sobrevivencia y pleno desarrollo socioeconómico y
cultural”.
Artículo 3: "Espacio socioeconómico indígena
es una determinada área geográfica, tradicionalmente ocupada y poseída
por los grupos étnicos originarios, que constituye un factor básico para
su sobrevivencia y desarrollo económico, social y cultural, tomando en
cuenta sus patrones tradicionales de asentamiento, sus propios sistemas
productivos, y en el que se realicen actividades de aprovechamiento integral
de los recursos naturales, manteniendo el equilibrio de la naturaleza y
conservando su ecosistema”.
Artículo 4: "prohibir absolutamente toda dotación
agraria de colonización, ganadería, contrato de aprovechamiento forestal u
otras especies de derechos sobre las tierras y recursos naturales”.
17. Canada
- Constitution Act of 1982
Part II: "Rights of
Aborginial Peoples of Canada
Section 35. (1) and (2)
Article 35.1: The government of
Canada and the provincial governments are committed to the principal that,
before any amendment is made to Class 24 of section 91 [giving the
"exclusive Legislative Authority of the Parliament of Canada" over
matters related to "Indians, and Lands reserved for the Indians"]
of the "Constitution Act, 1867", to section 25 of this Act or to
this Part, ...(b) the Prime Minister of Canada will invite representatives
of the aboriginal peoples of Canada to participate in the discussions on
that item."
- Royal Commission on
Aboriginal Peoples
Volume 2 Recommendations
“The right of
self-determination is vested in all the Aboriginal peoples of Canada,
including First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The right finds its
foundation in emerging norms of international law and basic principles of
public morality.”
2.3.1
“The government of Canada take
the following actions:
Enact legislation affirming the
obligations it has assumed under international human rights instruments to
which it is a signatory in so far as these obligations pertain to the
Aboriginal peoples of Canada;
Expressly provide in such
legislation that resort may be had in Canada’s courts to international
human rights instruments as an aid to the interpretation of the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms and other Canadian law affecting Aboriginal
peoples.”
18. Colombia
Decreto No. 715 de 1992
Artículo 1: Créase como organismo coordinador para
la defensa, protección y promoción de los derechos humanos de las
comunidades indígenas y de sus miembros, el Comité Nacional de Derechos
Indígenas”.
Artículo
4: "Para el desarrollo de su objeto, el Comité [Nacional de Derechos
Indígenas] ejercerá las siguientes funciones: 4. Efectuar el seguimiento
de las actuaciones judiciales y administrativas correspondientes a
violaciones de los derechos mencionados”.
19. Chile
Ley
19.253 de 1993
Artículo
1, inc. 3: “Es deber de la sociedad en general y del Estado en particular,
a través de sus instituciones respetar, proteger y promover el desarrollo
de los indígenas, sus culturas, familias y comunidades, adoptando las
medidas adecuadas para tales fines y proteger las tierras indígenas, velar
por su adecuada explotación, por su equilibrio ecológico y propender a su
ampliación”.
20. Ecuador
Constitución Política del Estado
Ecuatoriano
Artículo
1: “El Ecuador es un estado social de derecho, soberano, unitario,
independiente, democrático, pluricultural y multiétnico. Su gobierno es
republicano, presidencial, electivo, representativo, responsable,
alternativo, participativo y de administración descentralizada.
La soberanía radica en el pueblo, cuya voluntad es
la base de la autoridad, que ejerce a través de los órganos del poder público
y de los medios democráticos previstos en esta Constitución”.
Artículo 85: “... El Estado reconocerá y
garantizará a los pueblos negros o afroecuatorianos, los derechos
determinados en el artículo anterior, en todo aquello que les sea
aplicable”.
21. Guatemala
-Constitución Política de la República de Guatemala
”Sección Tercera. Comunidades Indígenas”.
Artículo 70. "Ley específica. Una ley regulará
lo relativo a las materias de esta sección”.
Agreement on identity and
rights of indigenous peoples
Article II. ”C. International
instruments. International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Racial Discrimination.
1. The Government
undertakes to promote, in the Guatemalan Congress, a bill incorporating the
provisions of the Convention in the Penal Code.
2. Since Guatemala is a
party to the Convention it undertakes to use all available means aiming at
recognition of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, as
provided in article 14 of that Convention.
Indigenous and Tribal Peoples
Convention, 1989 (ILO Convention No. 169)
3. The Government has
transmitted to the Guatemalan Congress, for its
approval, Convention No. 169 of
the International Labour Organization and will accordingly promote approval
of that Convention by the Congress. The parties urge the political parties
to facilitate approval of the Convention.
Draft declaration on the rights
of indigenous peoples
4. The Government shall
promote approval of the draft declaration on the rights of indigenous
peoples in the appropriate forums of the United Nations, in consultation
with the indigenous peoples of Guatemala.”
22. Honduras
Constitución de la República de Honduras
Artículo
346: "Es deber del estado dictar medidas de protección de los derechos
e intereses de las comunidades indígenas existentes en el país,
especialmente de las tierras y bosques donde estuvieren asentadas”.
23. Nicaragua
Constitution of Nicaragua
Article
89: “The Communities of the Atlantic Coast are indivisible parts of the
Nicaraguan people, enjoy the same rights and have the same obligations as
all Nicaraguans.”
24.
Panama
Decreto de Gabinete No. 53 (26-JJ-71 )
Artículo
4: "Los Estados al aplicar el derecho interno deben tomar las
siguientes consideraciones: los valores culturales, religiones, las formas
de control de las poblaciones"
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