E/2013/43
E/C.19/2013/25
requests the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to consider the
preparation of a general comment on the economic, social and cultural rights of
indigenous peoples.
47. The Permanent Forum takes notes of the recent publication of the adolescentfriendly version of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples by UNICEF, the Forum and the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus. The
Forum recommends that UNICEF, Member States and indigenous peoples translate
this publication into all languages, in particular indigenous languages. The Forum
also recommends that Member States, indigenous peoples and others use this
publication in the curricula of studies of indigenous and non-indigenous youth.
48. The Permanent Forum reiterates its recommendation to ILO to accommodate
and guarantee the direct participation of indigenous peoples’ organizations in ILO
procedures, in particular those relating to compliance with the ILO Convention
concerning the Protection and Integration of Indigenous and Other Tribal and
Semi-Tribal Populations in Independent Countries (Convention No. 107) and the
ILO Convention concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries
(Convention No. 169) and their corresponding supervisory mechanisms. The Forum
reiterates its call upon Member States to accede to the ILO Convention concerning
Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries (Convention No. 169).
49. Recalling the recommendations made in paragraphs 4 to 11 of the report on its
tenth session (E/2011/43-E/C.19/2011/14 and Corr.1) and the adoption of the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Permanent Forum
expresses alarm regarding the contemporary application of the erroneous and
discredited “doctrine of discovery” and its underlying assumptions, which promote
the purported inferiority of indigenous peoples. This doctrine was applied in June
2012 by the British Columbia Court of Appeal to deny the land rights and title of the
Tsilhqot’in to their traditional lands and territories by stating that “European
explorers considered that by virtue of the ‘principle of discovery’ they were at
liberty to claim territory in North America on behalf of their sovereigns”. The
Forum strongly recommends that States, human rights bodies and judiciaries
denounce the “doctrine of discovery” and discontinue its use and application.
50. The Permanent Forum requests that Member States and other potential donors
increase their contributions to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous
Populations, the United Nations Indigenous Peoples’ Partnership and the Trust Fund
on Indigenous Issues in order to guarantee the exercise of the right of indigenous
peoples to participate in United Nations meetings of specific concern to them.
51. The Permanent Forum recommends that all Governments, including the
Government of Canada, and the bodies established under the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea ensure respect for and recognition of the
provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
and that they follow up on the full and effective implementation of the Declaration,
in particular in the context of Arctic indigenous peoples. In this regard, these parties
must pay immediate and special attention to the right of indigenous peoples to
participate in decision-making in all matters that affect their rights; the right of
indigenous peoples to their lands, territories and resources; and the right of
indigenous peoples to free, prior and informed consent.
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