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indigenous peoples, especially taking into account the vulnerabilities of indigenous
women and children. These strategies should incorporate capacity-building of
indigenous women living in areas of armed conflict or in precarious circumstances.
52. On the basis of information received at its third session, the Forum expresses
its deep concern about the alleged atrocities and human rights violations committed
against the indigenous peoples concerned in Colombia, the Sudan, Ethiopia and
Indonesia, notably West Papua and Maluku, and atrocities committed against the
indigenous peoples in other parts of the world. It urges the entire United Nations
system, including the relevant bodies, to take appropriate action.
53. The Forum welcomes the nomination of the High Commissioner, Justice
Louise Arbor, and recommends that she convene a meeting with the Forum
members.
54. The Forum requests the Special Rapporteur on the human rights and
fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples to undertake a study on the United
Nations decolonization process and on the Special Committee on Decolonization to
assess its historical and current impact on the human rights of indigenous peoples of
the non-self-governing territories. Furthermore, the Forum requests the SecretaryGeneral to undertake a mid-decade review of the Second International Decade for
the Eradication of Colonialism to determine whether substantial progress has been
made in achieving the goals of the Second Decade and to identify proposals for
addressing obstacles to achieving the goals of the Second Decade.
5.
Economic and social development
Introduction
55. The Forum reiterates its recommendations on economic and social
development made at its second session, in particular those contained in chapter I,
section B, paragraphs 26-28, 33-34, 36, 39 and 44 of the report.2
56. Indigenous women throughout the world are among the most marginalized
groups, suffering discrimination not only on the basis of gender but on the basis of
race, culture and class as well. The complex interaction of the combined factors of
colonization, the spread of western-style capitalism, globalization, nationalism, and
top-down and paternalistic approaches to development have provided a social and
economic environment whereby indigenous women have suffered from the effects of
poverty, the breakdown of traditional social mechanisms and institutions, violence
and militarization, dislocation and migration, and the depletion of their natural
environment and resources.
Recommendations to member States
57. The Forum recommends that Governments integrate a gender framework that
encompasses all areas of their work, including their agricultural and economic
policies, and include in their policies actions that directly benefit indigenous
women, through the following measures:
(a)
Provide access for indigenous women to funding from public budgets;
(b) Create specific measures that enhance women’s participation in their own
development processes;
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