Norway: The Saami Parliament In Norway Expresses Its Sympathy With The Indigenous Peoples In Canada

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Published on Thursday, 10 January 2013 23:04

Indigenous peoples in Canada and others who sympathize for the indigenous demands have during almost two months staged ongoing demonstrations throughout the country, thus displaying the fact that the Canadian government has, by a number of decisions shown that it intends to limit indigenous rights within the country.

The indigenous non-violent manifestations under the banner ?Idle No More? is a grass root level movement gaining support from many groups and individuals in the Canadian society. The Saami parliament is concerned regarding this situation and is preparing to address the Canadian ministry of Health. Canada will from coming spring be managing the chairmanship of the Arctic Council.

Says Egil Olli president of the Saami Parliament: "On behalf of the Saami Parliament I wish to express our sympathy and support to the struggle and effort now staged by the indigenous peoples of Canada. Not the least I want to express my concern to the health of Chief Theresa Spence from the Attawapiskat nation who now has been hunger-striking almost a whole month protesting against the miserable social and economic conditions of the Canadian indigenous peoples. I see it necessary to address this matter at my meeting with the Canadian minister on Health at The Arctic Council Session on January 20 this year."

"The current protests, having lasted more than two months begun due to the fact that indigenous rights have been limited through act amendments carried out without any consultations or consent by indigenous peoples. The protests culminated when Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat nation started her hunger-strike December 11 against the prevailing miserable social and economic conditions within the Canadian indigenous societies. The hunger-strike still goes on."

""Idle No More" and the indigenous movement we now see in Canada is a strong signal to the authorities telling them that this unwillingness to accomplish indigenous rights cannot be accepted. Indigenous peoples have a right to maintain their identity and culture, gain respect for historical accords settled with the state, right to their traditional lands and resources and, right to efficient participation in decision-making processes that concerns them," says Egil Olli, president of the Saami Parliament.

Olli continues: "We note that the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Steven Harper has agreed to meet madam Spence and other indigenous leaders on January 11, 2013. The Saami Parliament invites the Canadian authorities to act in accordance with principles of the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights, which Canada has adhered to."

The president of the Saami Parliament, Egil Olli refers to The UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples, which acknowledges that Indigenous peoples are entitled to establish priorities and strategies on how their rights to development shall be practiced, including the right to develop or utilize own land areas, territories and resources. The UN Declaration is evident in expressing that states in good faith, through consultations and in collaboration with indigenous peoples, shall ask for their free and prior informed consent before decisions and implementing of laws or administrative measures are carried out. Further the president of the Saami Parliament also says that Declaration on Indigenous Peoples states that indigenous peoples have right to be recognized, that treaties are respected and that agreements and constructive ordinances settles with states and the states? successors and further, that concerned states adheres and respects such treaties, settlements and ordinances.

The Saami Parliament encourages the Canadian government, through consultations and in cooperation with the indigenous peoples of the country to, as soon as possible carry out effective steps in order to adjust suitable conditions for implementation of indigenous rights in accordance with accepted international standards, the president of the Saami parliament concludes.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndigenousPeoplesResources/~3/_nmYoA14kWI/index.php

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