2017

MUNA Resolution #4

The Rights of Indigenous People

The General Assembly,

Recalling all relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the Economic and Social Council relating to the rights of indigenous peoples,

Stressing the right to maintain and strengthen the distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions of indigenous peoples and the right to participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State,

Recognizing that violence against indigenous women and girls has a negative impact on their enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Expressing concern that suicide rates in indigenous peoples’ communities, in particular among indigenous youth and children, are significantly higher than in the general population,

Deeply concerned at the vast number of endangered indigenous languages, and the urgent need to preserve, promote and revitalize endangered languages,

Recognizing the importance to indigenous peoples of revitalizing, using, developing and transmitting their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literature to future generations,

Underlining the responsibility of transnational corporations and other business enterprises to refrain from negatively affecting the well-being of indigenous peoples,

1. Urges Governments in consultation and cooperation with indigenous peoples through their representatives and institutions, to continue to implement measures at the national level, including legislative, policy and administrative measures, to achieve the ends of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

2. Reiterates the commitment of Member States to cooperate with indigenous peoples, through their own representative institutions, to develop and implement national action plans, strategies or other measures, where relevant, to achieve the ends of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

3. Calls upon Member States to give due consideration to all the rights of indigenous peoples in fulfilling the commitments undertaken in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in the elaboration of national programmes;

4. Calls upon all member states to intensify efforts, in cooperation with indigenous peoples, to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against indigenous women, children, youth, older persons and persons with disabilities and to eliminate structural and legal barriers to their full, equal and effective participation in political, economic, social and cultural life;

5. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its seventy-second session, under the item entitled “Rights of indigenous peoples”.

Mover: Argentina (5 mins)

Seconder: Nicaragua (4 mins)

Speakers: Mexico, Guatemala, Australia, Ecuador, Central African Republic, Peru

(3 mins each)