§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will promote a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Commission in 2005 to enable the working group on the draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to continue. [HL182]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe UK worked hard in the final session of the working group under its current mandate to promote solutions that would allow a strong declaration to be agreed. However, a number of issues remained on the table at the end of the session. We understand that the chair of the working group will make a recommendation to the Commision on Human Rights to allow a short extension of the working group's mandate so it can complete its work. The UK will look constructively at any such proposal.
§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is their view that no collective rights should be included in the draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and, if so, whether they will publish the documents on which they base that view. [HL201]
58WA
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe UK Government welcome the fact that many states with indigenous populations have granted them various collective rights in their national constitutions, laws and agreements. The UK has made clear in its statements to the UN working group that it has no objection to such rights being reflected in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. However, the UK believes that it is important that these rights, bestowed nationally, remain distinct from individual human rights in international law, since human rights are universal and equal to all human beings. We believe that this distinction can be accommodated in a strong and meaningful declaration, such that indigenous people are assured their human rights on an equal footing with all individuals; and—separately and in addition—can hold recognised collective rights, specific to indigenous peoples.