Aram-Naharaim attends the first meeting of the newly established UN Expert Mechanism On the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
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On Wednesday 1- Friday 3 October 2008 Aramans of Aram-Naharaim Organization attended the first meeting of the newly established United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Expert Mechanism reports to the UN Human Rights Council. |
The Expert Mechanism is the successor of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations. The Working on Indigenous Populations was established in 1982 and lasted until 2006. In 2006 the last meeting took place during which Aram-Naharaim made three statements. The preceding years were also used by Aram-Naharaim to bring the Aramean issue under the international attention.
The result of 26 years of the Working Group on the Indigenous Populations was:
1. The voice of Indigenous Peoples within the UN system gained more attention and was also taken more serious.
2. The Indigenous peoples worldwide expressed themselves, on the annual of the working group, on various issues related tot their situation in the great framework system of the UN Human Rights; something which was extensively used by indigenous peoples.
3. In 2007 a milestone has been achieved by the indigenous peoples, because the General Assembly of United Nations at its 61st session under resolution number 61/295 adapted the “United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” (see online document: http://www.un-documents.net/a61r295.htm)
4. The adapted UN declaration shall serve as a guideline in relation to the situation of the rights of indigenous peoples, among them the Arameans of Aram-Naharaim.
Between 2006 and 2008 extensive consultation and negotiations took place between indigenous organizations, governments and UN bodies on the establishment of the successor of the working group on the indigenous populations. This resulted finally in the resolution of the Human Rights Council of 14 december 2007 in which the successor of the Working Group on the Indigenous Populations was established and named: Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In resolution 6/36 of the UN Human Rights Council the goal and the task of Expert Mechanism is set out.
| The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is merely a study/ advisory group in relation to broad range of the rights of indigenous peoples as explained in the recently adapted “United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”. The Arameans of Aram-Naharaim organization has proven, in the past and recently, to have substantial expertise in relation to the indigenous questions, in particular focused on the situation of the Arameans of Aram-Naharaim. In addition, Aram-Naharaim clearly demonstrated to be a full partner in the international arena dealing with the issues pertaining to the Aramean nation. |
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All members are of indigenous origin
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The members of the working group on the indigenous populations were composed of representatives of the various world continents; they reflected the demographic parts of the world. The fife expert members of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples conversely are of indigenous origin. The members of the Expert Mechanism are appointed by the Chairman of Human Rights Council for the period of 2008-2010, namely: Ms. Catherine Odimba Kombe (Congo) Ms. Jannie Lasimbang ( Malaysia) Mr. John Bernhard Henriksen ( Noowegen) Mr. José Carlos Morales Morales (Costa Rica) Mr. José Mencio Molintas ( Philippines) |
The first meeting of the Expert Mechanism lasted three days. The next and following years the meeting of the Expert Mechanism will last for fife days. The first meeting of this important UN body on indigenous peoples was also attended by Aram-Naharaim Organization. Our organization welcomes the establishment of the Expert Mechanism and we are looking forward in the coming time to working with and to provide ideas /suggestions to be considered on the situation of indigenous peoples in general and the Arameans of Aram-Naharaim in particular.
