CPTnet

1 June 2011 (rev.)

ABORIGINAL JUSTICE ACTION REQUEST: Tell Canada to Implement UNDRIP

In 2007 the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the UN General Assembly. The development of the document had taken 25 years of consultation and discussion with indigenous peoples, crafting a list of the collective and individual rights recognised as foundational for indigenous societies to prosper. They include the right to self-governance, the right to determine membership and the right to participate in decision-making that affects their interests. Four countries voted against the declaration’s endorsement: Australia, Canada, the United States and New Zealand.

Last year, CPT’s Aboriginal Justice Team (AJT) supported a campaign to press Canada to endorse the declaration. Through the use of liturgical resources for advent services, the AJT invited congregations to learn about UNDRIP, pray for its success, and sign a petition organised by KAIROS Canada, the ecumenical justice organisation. In November 2010 Canada signed on, followed in December by the last country left, the United States.

The next step is for the declaration to influence law and decision-making. Many of the issues facing communities that the Aboriginal Justice Team have relationship with are addressed by one or more of the 46 articles, and which assert the state’s minimum duty towards indigenous peoples. If the declaration is to have any effect it must be used to inform the government’s position in ongoing and future debates about land, culture and rights.

To visualise the need and desire for the declaration’s implementation, KAIROS has launched a new campaign, “Roll with the Declaration.” Churches and groups across Canada are producing small banners and putting them on trains to Ottawa, where they will be joined into a single great banner on Parliament Hill on June 20^th, 2011.

The CPT Ontario regional group recently met and produced several banners, and other CPTers are running events in their local church, with youth groups and schools. On the KAIROS website are detailed instructions for creating banners and running 45 minute, half-day or full day events.

Even if you can’t come to Ottawa for June 20^th, you can still produce a banner from your church or community. As part of the event you can collect signatures for the petition, or perhaps you are part of an organisation which can endorse the KAIROS action. Visit the KAIROS website for more information on how you can join the call for Canada to implement this important human rights tool, to take us closer to right relations.

For more information see:
http://www.kairoscanada.org/en/take-action/the-land-our-life/roll-with-the-declaration/endorse-the-national-action/