Urges U.N. to Show "Social Farsightedness"
NEW YORK, MAY 17, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See has asked the United Nations to "show flexibility and social farsightedness" this session and adopt the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Holy See's permanent observer to the United Nations, said this Wednesday in an address to the 6th session of the permanent forum on indigenous issues of the U.N. Economic and Social Council.
In his address, the archbishop said that the postponement of the adoption of the draft declaration by the third committee of the General Assembly last December "marked a disappointing moment." The document has been under development in the United Nations for over 20 years.
The permanent observer said that such a human rights instrument would be beneficial "for the very poorest living in rural areas, often of indigenous origin and often marginalized by the modern world."
Archbishop Migliore reiterated "the particular importance [the Holy See] attaches to the instrument under consideration and encourages U.N. member states to show flexibility and social farsightedness with a view to reaching an agreement during the present session of the General Assembly."
He continued: "My delegation believes that such a political gesture would not only profit the poorest and most excluded citizens in both rich and poor countries of the world, but would also enhance peace among peoples and foster the just and equitable enjoyment of human rights by all. casino 5 euro deposit"
The archbishop cited several criticisms of the document made in the committee that postponed the adoption -- which he said represented genuine concerns -- such as fear that the declaration could cause division "among disparate tribal groups born as states within the last 50 or so years."
"Such concerns," Archbishop Migliore continued, "should not marginalize the best interest of the poorest peoples in such resource-rich territories."
The permanent observer added that "these questions should not allow progress on indigenous peoples' equally legitimate rights and concerns to be postponed 'sine die.'"
Code: ZE07051707
Date: 2007-05-17