Statement by
Mr. Petter F. Wille
Deputy Director General
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
New York, 14 May 2004
Mr. Chairman,
Human rights is an important area for the Permanent Forum, not only because human rights is one of the mandate areas, but also because several of the other parts of the mandate have important human rights aspects. This is also reflected in the Forum`s report from its last session. In addition to the recommendations specifically relating to human rights, several other recommendations under the sections ”indigenous children and youth”, ”environment”, ”health” and ”future work of the Forum”, also contain references to the OHCHR or the human rights mechanisms. I will also commend the Forum for having chosen indigenous women as special theme for this session.
The Permanent Forum has been a successful achievement of the international Decade for the World`s Indigenous Peoples. It has become a focus for discussion of all indigenous issues, including human rights. Other important achievements in the field of human rights are the appointment by the Commission on human rights of a special rapporteur on indigenous peoples. The special rapporteur has played an important role in gathering information on the situation of the human rights of indigenous peoples, as well as through participation in conferences and seminars. He has also undertaken research on some of the major issues affecting indigenous peoples.
One of the major objectives of the Decade was to adopt a declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Although progress was made at the last session of the working group, compromises will be needed on all sides to make it possible to adopt a draft declaration. Norway remains committed to this process and we hope that everybody will show the neccessarry flexibility when we meet for the next session of the working group, which will be crucial in our efforts to achieve a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Thank you.