Statement by the Spokesperson on the occasion of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, 9 August 2014

EU News 338/2014

Brussels, 08 August 2014
140808/01

“Today we join the indigenous peoples in celebrating their rich cultural heritage, and we pay tribute to the enormous contribution their traditions and knowledge have made to the world's cultural heritage. The EU continues to be a staunch supporter of the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Indigenous peoples´ rights, as defined in the UNDRIP, form an integral part of the EU´s human rights policy.

The EU underlines the importance of the successful realisation of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP) in September 2014. We continue our engagement in the discussions and we support the participation of indigenous peoples' delegates aiming to translate the UNDRIP into concrete action and changes on the ground. We also note the importance of the engagement of indigenous peoples in the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda.

The EU raises the rights of indigenous peoples wherever relevant in contacts with third countries and regional organisations, as well as in multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the Organisation of American States and the African Union. It also gives financial support to civil society projects, to indigenous peoples' delegates at UN bodies and relevant activities of the International Labour Organisation. Under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) the EU will in 2014 finance up to €5 million of new projects that aim at promoting the rights of indigenous peoples."

Source and additional information:
http://www.eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140808_01_en.pdf

File Image: United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, UN URL

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