Statement
First Intersessional meeting on concrete ways to enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the work of the Human Rights Council.
Session 1 – Stocktaking of gaps and good practices regarding IP participation in the UN system
Statement delivered by Mr Tormod C. Endresen, Ambassador - Permanent Representative to the UN and other International Organizations.
18. July 2024. Palais des Nations, Room XX, Geneva
Thank you,
Let me start by welcoming Indigenous Peoples to this Human Rights Council meeting.
Our direction of travel is clear: Towards a place at the table for indigenous peoples when relevant decisions are made.
Norway has consistently, actively and visibly promoted the rights of Indigenous Peoples, including their right to participate in all decision-making concerning themselves, including in relevant United Nations meetings.
We truly believe that Indigenous Peoples’ enhanced, effective and meaningful participation will lead to better processes, better decisions and better solutions to global challenges.
Building on the outcome document from the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in 2014, measures taken to enhance participation must be rooted in the principles in the UN Charter, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and relevant provisions of international law, including the right of self-identification, the right of self-determination, and the right to consultations.
As an example, the Sami Parliament of Norway – as the elected representative institution of Sami people in my country – that is: not an NGO – have not been able to participate in the Human Rights Council, in its own capacity, until now.
Hence a new participatory status, separate from that of national human rights institutions and civil society, and non-governmental organizations, must be implemented.
I am glad to hear references to the expert workshop, chaired in November 2022 by indigenous representative Mariam Aboubakrine and my predecessor. I encourage us all to build on its recommendations and other good practices, and to further present concrete proposals in [our discussions at] these two inter-sessional meetings.
Thank you.