联合国文件/part0091

Violations cited were particularly prevalent in the mining and oil exploration sectors.

Some positive progress in this regard was highlighted in relation to Canada's efforts to strengthen regulations on the overseas activities of corporations.

Indigenous organizations urged States to implement previous recommendations of the Working Group, as well as recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

Particular reference was also made to the need to continue to implement the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples.

Indigenous organizations voiced their concerns over continued violations of their most basic human rights, including killings, torture, arbitrary detention, forced eviction, and violations of women's and children's rights, in many parts of the world.

Some stressed that their communities were faced with imminent extinction.

A number of States were urged to implement or reform their existing legislation, and to take into account international standards.

The speakers further urged States that have not yet done so to ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 169 (1989) concerning indigenous and tribal peoples in independent countries.

In the area of administration of justice, participants cited a large number of cases of unequal treatment of indigenous prisoners and detainees.

They recommended that adequate interpretation be ensured, and called for a study of indigenous political prisoners.

Several participants voiced their objection to the misuse of their sacred sites.

They cited instances of inappropriate development of sites as tourist attractions, for mining and exploitation of natural resources, as well as militarization, including as a base for the militarization of outer space.

The observer for Canada expressed gratitude to the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people for his presentation, and affirmed Canada's commitment to continued dialogue.

She drew attention to two major developments in recent weeks which represented practical and achievable approaches to issues of concern to indigenous people.

First, on 30 May 2005 the Government's representative was appointed to lead discussions toward a fair and lasting resolution of the legacy of Indian residential schools, which also included options for former students to pursue claims of abuse.

Second, a policy retreat was held on 31 May 2005 between the Prime Minister, members of the Cabinet Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and the leaders of five National Aboriginal organizations.

Additionally, Canada hosted a World Summit on the Information Society indigenous thematic planning conference in Ottawa in March 2005, the only indigenous-specific meeting in the lead-up to the World Summit.

The observer for Venezuela informed the Working Group that in 2005 it would begin finalizing property ownership for indigenous people of their territory and that the President would present first titles for 111,000 hectares.

Successive granting of title was expected to involve a larger amount of territory, as the largest groups were not included in this first round.

In the new Constitution, indigenous peoples had achieved the full recognition of their rights.

The observer for Algeria, responding to allegations by some non-governmental organizations, stated that there had been progress regarding the Amazigh issue, including the recognition of Tamazight language in the Constitution.

Principal theme: “Indigenous peoples and the international and domestic protection of traditional knowledge”

The principal theme of the twenty-third session of the Working Group was welcomed by all participants.

Over 50 indigenous and governmental observers spoke under this sub-item.