B4-0062, 0067 and 0103/95

Resolution on the international decade of the world's indigenous people

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples announced in June 1993 by the UN Conference in Vienna,

B.concerned at the continued violations of human rights in many parts of the world,

C.whereas the purpose of the International Decade of Indigenous Peoples is to contribute to the improvement of their living conditions, to preserve their cultural identity and to increase international cooperation in fields of interest to them, such as human rights, the environment, development, education and health,

D.warmly welcoming the enlargement of the Union and the consequent inclusion of many of the Saami in the European Union,

E.noting the responsibility of the European Union towards the indigenous peoples living on territories and associated territories of the Member States,

F.noting that the EU partnership agreement with the Russian Federation will provide opportunities for the EU to promote the improvement of the living conditions of many indigenous peoples,

1.Welcomes the Decade of Indigenous Peoples proclaimed by the UN as a symbol of the commitment of these peoples to the international recognition of their rights;

2.Feels that, given their knowledge of the environment and the development of their regions, indigenous peoples play an essential role and must therefore be given an opportunity to participate in the achievement of sustainable and environmentally acceptable development; therefore considers it necessary for their participation at international and national level to be increased and for their specific way of life to be protected;

3.Reiterates its request to the Council and Commission to develop a coherent policy for the Decade in close cooperation with indigenous peoples and NGOs and the UN coordinator for the Decade;

4.Requests the Council and Commission therefore to draw up a communication and a multiannual action programme focusing on the support for capacity building of the indigenous communities themselves;

5.Calls on the Council and Commission to include special paragraphs on indigenous peoples in future trade and cooperation agreements between the European Union and third countries in order to guarantee their rights;

6.Calls on the Council to work out a common position on indigenous peoples to be included in the results of the Summit on Social Development;

7.Requests the Council also to take a common position on the UN Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to be presented at the next meeting of the UN Human Rights Commission and promote the adoption of this Declaration within the Decade;

8.Calls on the Council and Commission to devise a mechanism to include the consultation and participation of indigenous peoples in decisions on funding development projects concerning them;

9.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the UN and the governments of the Member States.