A/HRC/21/54
36.
In Peru, the Declaration was explicitly invoked by the Minister of Education in the
creation of the National Commission on Intercultural Bilingual Education (CONEIB). Peru
has also passed a law on Intercultural Bilingual Education, which aims to recognize cultural
diversity and promote intercultural bilingual education in regions inhabited by indigenous
peoples. Peruvian law also recognizes and guarantees the right of indigenous peoples to
conditions of education equal to the rest of the nation. The Minister of Education is to
design and implement a national plan for intercultural bilingual education. Indigenous
peoples are to participate in the formulation and implementation of these education
programs.
37.
Chile identified programmes for the teaching and learning of indigenous languages
and cultures in the nation’s schools. The Constitution of Guyana provides protection of
indigenous peoples right “to protection, preservation and promulgation of their languages,
cultural heritage and way of life.” The Constitution of Iraq guarantees an Iraqi individual’s
right to education in his or her mother tongue.
38.
The Constitution of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic recognizes the Lao
language as the official language and dialect of the country. However, in day-to-day life,
each ethnic group is free to preserve and use its dialect in family and community for the
preservation of their culture and traditions.
39.
In the Congo, the law guarantees collective and individual rights of indigenous
peoples to their intellectual property relating to traditional knowledge. The law also
protects cultural, religious and spiritual property.
5.
Non-discrimination and equality
40.
Several States indicated that their constitutions provide for non-discrimination and
equality, such as the Chilean Constitution. The Guyana Constitution also prohibits
discrimination on the basis of race.
41.
Some States indicated that the principle of equality prohibited States from treating
any one group differently from another group. The Constitution of the Lao People’s
Democratic Republic stipulates that all Lao citizens are equal before the law. According to
the Government, in accordance with the principle of equality, every ethnic group is special
and therefore no one is more special than any other group, which has contributed to peace
and harmony and solidarity among Lao’s multi-ethnic peoples.
6.
Lands, territories and resources;
42.
Several States mentioned processes under way to demarcate and title indigenous
peoples’ lands. A few States referenced the collective nature of these titles. Several States
indicated that indigenous peoples have certain governmental authority or jurisdiction over
their lands.
43.
Bolivia is strengthening the process of land redistribution and community selfmanagement. Bolivia has also published and distributed an Atlas of Indigenous Territories.
Chile relaunched mechanisms to transfer land to indigenous peoples in transparent and
objective conditions. The collective property rights of indigenous peoples in the Republic
of Congo are protected by the law.
44.
France identified the creation of the Guyana Amazonian Park in French Guiana as
providing protection to indigenous peoples in the area to maintain and preserve their
subsistence practices, as well as preserving the natural resources they exploit.
45.
In Guyana, the 2003 Constitution provides protection over property, including
Amerindian property. Under the Amerindian Act 2006, Amerindians are granted title to
their lands absolutely and forever. Titling and demarcation of Amerindian villages must
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