DOCUMENT: OAXTEPEC.TXT SECOND SUMMIT MEETING OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES The Second Summit Meeting of Indigenous Peoples, convened by Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Rigoberta Menchu, in her capacity as United Nations Good Will Ambassador for Indigenous Peoples, was held from 2 to 4 October 1993 in Oaxtepec, Morelos, Mexico. OAXTEPEC DECLARATION First of all, we consider that our condition as indigenous people has steadily deteriorated over the International Year. Evictions continue, as does lack of recognition and the failure to effectively enforce fundamental laws; there is greater environmental degradation and the abuse of our natural resources is worsening. Our human rights are still being flagrantly abused on a massive scale, particularly as regards racism and the persecution of our women. The enforcement of structural adjustment policies, the payment of the foreign debt and, in general, the neo-liberal policies applied by the governments of the countries in which we live are having a tremendously negative impact on the health, employment, education and standard of living of our peoples. This makes us the chief victims of these policies. As a result of the increased awareness and world mobilisation against the celebrations for the 500th Anniversary (...) many indigenous peoples throughout the world have gained new motivation in their struggle, renewed confidence in their future and have begun to search for allies. We are certain that a United Nations Decade for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples must lead to the prolongation and strengthening, at international level, of this historic mobilisation. Our analysis and evaluation of the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Peoples reveals that there was, in general, a sorry lack of dedication and follow-up action. Nonetheless, the most important gain our people have made is that there is today a greater awareness both of our existence within those Nations and on the international scene, as well as of the rights which are historically and legitimately ours. As regards international mechanisms and instruments the progress made to date was acknowledged, despite its clear limitations. (...) During the discussion at the Second Summit, attention was drawn to the recommendation made by the World Conference on Human Rights (Vienna, 1993) to the United Nations General Assembly that the latter should declare an International Decade of World Indigenous Peoples. The need was reiterated to appeal to the conscience of the United Nations to endorse the proposal as a gesture of solidarity. For our part, we undertake to carry out a far-reaching campaign to disseminate the purposes and goals of the Decade, which we have decided to call: United Nations Decade for the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples, and to participate fully in the activities planned in the Decade's Programme of Action. In the context of these reflections, the Second Summit of Indigenous Peoples: Resolves: 1. To propose to our sister, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, that she participate in the current 48 session of the UN General Assembly, and, as United Nations Good Will Ambassador for the International Year of Indigenous Peoples, formally present the decisions and recommendations of this Second Summit. 2. To establish that our sister Menchu Tum, as Nobel Peace Prize Winner, and in recognition of her indefatigable struggle on behalf of the human rights of the indigenous peoples and her vast experience in the activities of the United Nations in this sphere, should have full moral and technical authority to coordinate the United Nations Decade for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and consequently, propose that she be appointed as UN Good Will Ambassador for the duration of the Decade. 3. To appeal to all indigenous organisations worldwide to widely publicize the objectives, aims and strategies of the Decade, through national and regional meetings at the highest possible level, as well as in any other available forum. 4. To establish through this Second Summit, an information and documentation network to be used by the indigenous peoples to help them successfully carry out the activities planned in the Plan of Action for the Decade. 5. To urge all the relevant United Nations bodies and organisations to fully support the Working Group on Indigenous Peoples in the fulfillment of its present mandate, as well as in exploring the channels which could lead to the participation of representatives of indigenous peoples as independent Expert Members of the Working Group. Likewise, this Second Summit reiterates the need to continue preparing for the planned Decade, in order to achieve the following aims: 1. To ensure the full participation of the indigenous peoples in the different organisms within the United Nations system which deal with the issues which affect our peoples, such as those related to land rights and the environment. 2. To strengthen the Independent Indigenous Fund created during this Second Summit, and administrated by the indigenous peoples themselves. 3. To ensure that at the end of the Decade all Nations inhabited by indigenous peoples recognise in their respective Political Constitutions the existence of our peoples and our inalienable rights, and offer authentic guarantees for the effective operation of our political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions and the full implementation of those rights. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :: -= THE FOURTH WORLD DOCUMENTATION PROJECT =- :: :: A service provided by :: :: The Center For World Indigenous Studies :: :: www.cwis.org :: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Originating at the Center for World Indigenous Studies, Olympia, Washington USA www.cwis.org © 1999 Center for World Indigenous Studies (All Rights Reserved. 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