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NEGOTIATIONS UNDER WAY ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

ANTIGUA, Guatemala—After observing a minute of silence to honor the victims of Hurricane Stan, the Sixth Meeting of Negotiations in the Quest for Points of Consensus on the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples got under way today in Antigua, Guatemala.

Ambassador Juan León, Alternate Representative of Guatemala to the Organization of American States (OAS) and Chair of the Working Group thanked the international community for the assistance it has provided in these dire times for Guatemala. The one-week meeting brings together representatives of the member states of the OAS and representatives of the indigenous peoples of the Hemisphere with a view to making headway in preparing a Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

“We are here, but our mind, our spirit, our heart, and our feelings are profoundly shaken by the physical and psychological grief afflicting thousands of my brothers: brothers and sisters who have suddenly lost their loved ones and suffered the material damage wrought by Hurricane Stan,” León said. “I am sure that, as on other occasions, we Guatemalans will recover and move forward to rebuild what has been destroyed and ensure that life goes on again in happiness and hope.”

On behalf of the OAS, its Assistant Secretary General, today delivered US$15,000 to the Government of Guatemala as a symbolic contribution to assist the victims of the natural disaster.

Ambassador Leon pointed out that this was the first time in the history of discussion of the Declaration that a meeting on it was being held outside OAS Headquarters. He said the experience would “lead us to renew our ideals and goals; but above all, it will help us acquire the vision needed to achieve a balanced, as well as a profound and objective, Declaration.”

Ambassador León invited all the delegates to “speak from the heart and to reason, with as much sensitivity as you can muster and with a large dose of tolerance and understanding, in order to include balance and inclusiveness in our proposals.”

He added that the challenge facing the Sixth Meeting, which begins today, was to discuss “amply and with flexibility, wisdom, and creativity” the section on Social, Economic, and Property Rights, which include, along with other issues, the rights to lands, territories, and resources; transfers and relocations; the right to development; and the rights to protection of cultural heritage and intellectual property. He said the Meeting would also discuss the section on General Provisions.

Reference: E-231/05