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Western Shoshone Keeping the Pressure on – US Human Rights Violations Against Indigenous Peoples Highlighted at UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

For Immediate Release

 

May 17, 2006 (New York City, New York). 
Today, at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, a Western Shoshone delegation will call upon the recently-formed UN body to pay close attention to the situation of indigenous peoples in the United States and other “developed” countries.  Attending the forum were thousands of indigenous representatives and leaders from every region of the world, governmental representatives from United Nations member states, including the United States, and observers and UN agencies.   The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is an advisory body to the Economic and Social Council, with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.  For more information on the Permanent Forum, go to http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/

Western Shoshone grandmother and activist Carrie Dann will present the statement on behalf of the Western Shoshone delegation and a coalition of U.S., Canadian and European-based organizations and networks.  Recent actions being taken by the United States against the Western Shoshone, including the threat of a 700 ton ammonium nitrate/fuel oil mixture detonation named “Divine Strake” will be reported on as well as the

critical need for the UN  Permanent Forum and other bodies to hold the United States and other “developed” countries to the same standards “regardless of how much money they have or how much political influence they wave around.”  Specific recommendations include:

1. To promote a clear articulation of the fundamental indigenous guidelines of land, air, water and sun (“l.a.w.s.”) to measure all “development” projects or other proposals; and
2. To instruct all UN bodies and agencies to recognize the serious and ongoing human rights violations against indigenous peoples in the United States, Australia, and other “developed” countries and the reach of those violations through multinational companies headquartered, incorporated and licensed by those same governments.  This point is emphasized especially by the United States’ and other governments’ continued use of the antiquated “doctrine of discovery” to take lands and resources and remove or diminish decision-making of indigenous peoples.

 

The Western Shoshone delegation also delivered a copy of the recent UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’s Urgent Action decision issued against the United States on March 7, 2006 to each of the members of the Permanent Forum.  The decision calls upon the United States to “freeze”, “desist” and “stop” actions being taken or threatened to be taken against the Western Shoshone Peoples of the Western Shoshone Nation.  In its decision, CERD stressed the “nature and urgency” of the Shoshone situation informing the U.S. that it goes “well beyond” the normal reporting process and warrants immediate attention under the Committee’s Early Warning and Urgent Action Procedure.