Resolution on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

ACHPR/Res.121(XXXXII)07: RESOLUTION ON THE UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission or ACHPR) meeting at its 42nd Ordinary Session held from 15 - 28 November 2007, in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo;

Recalling its mandate to promote human and peoples’ rights and ensure their protection in Africa under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);

Recalling its decision to establish a Working Group to examine the issue of Indigenous Populations and advise it accordingly, at the 28th Ordinary Session, in Benin, Cotonou;

Recalling further its Resolution Ref. ACHPR/Res.65 (XXXIV) 03 on the adoption of the Report of the African Commission’s Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities adopted at its 34th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia from 6 – 20 November 2003;

Noting with appreciation the immense work done by the Working Group in articulating the African Commission’s position on the rights of Indigenous Populations/Communities;

Recalling the Advisory Opinion it adopted at the 41st Ordinary Session held in Accra, Ghana in May 2007 calling on Member States of the African Union to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

Noting with satisfaction the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on 13 September 2007 by the UN General Assembly;

Noting further that no State Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights voted against this Declaration;

Recognizing further the importance of enhancing the effort to foster the values and implement the principles enshrined in this Declaration;

Now, therefore, resolves:

1. To adopt the Communiqué annexed hereto on the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

2. To have this Communiqué read out during the Closing Ceremony of the 42nd Ordinary Session; and

3. To have it widely publicized and distributed to all stakeholders including State Parties during and after the said Session.