E/CN.4/2003/90/Add.2
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Indigenous peoples
88.
The Special Rapporteur recommends that the indigenous peoples might consider
developing a joint programme embodying a consensus regarding the priorities of the Maya,
Xinca and Garífuna peoples, with a view to seeking the cooperation of the international
community in implementing a national action plan to promote the rights of the indigenous
peoples.
89.
The Special Rapporteur recommends that the indigenous peoples should endeavour
to consolidate areas for dialogue with civil society, the mestizo communities and other
sectors which are also engaged in the struggle for human rights and the strengthening of
democracy. He also recommends that measures should be expedited to establish a
democratically constituted body to represent them in their dealings with the State in all
matters of concern to them.
Civil society
90.
The Special Rapporteur considers that the various institutions of civil society - apart
from the indigenous organizations themselves - have an essential role to play in the
construction of a just and democratic multicultural society. He recommends that these
institutions should make coordinated efforts to establish areas and bodies where the
problems of the new multicultural society can be widely debated within a framework of
mutual respect for differences of approach, so that consensus on a project for a new
national society can emerge.
91.
He also recommends that these bodies should put forward draft legislation which
includes and consolidates the principles and objectives of the Peace Agreements, and in
particular the Agreement on Identity and Rights.
92.
The Special Rapporteur recommends that the political parties should initiate a
wide-ranging internal debate on the subject of human rights and the participation of
indigenous peoples and communities in national affairs, and that they should endeavour to
establish a minimum agreed platform of objectives which will lead to the strengthening of
human rights and the participation of indigenous peoples and communities. In addition to
including more indigenous candidates for elective posts, the political parties should include
in their electoral platforms the basic points which will lead to the realization of these
objectives.
Mass media
93.
The Special Rapporteur wishes to stress the particular responsibility of the mass
media in combating discrimination and racism vis-à-vis the indigenous peoples. He
recommends that, in the absence of adequate legislation, the mass media should adopt
measures for monitoring and self-regulation in order to eliminate all vestiges of racism and
ethnic discrimination in their programmes and content, and actively promote the vision of