Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Seventh Session, 09 July 2014

Item 3. World Conference on Indigenous Peoples
Statement submitted by:
Continental Network of Indigenous Women of the Americas
Enlace Continental de Mujeres Indgenas de las Amricas (ECMIA)
Dr. Rosalee Gonzalez, Co-Coordinator, ECMIA-North Region


Thank you Mr. Chair and members of the Expert Mechanisms,

I address this body on behalf of the Continental Network of Indigenous Women of
the Americas, Enlace Continental de Mujeres Indigenas de las Americas.

We share the following preliminary comments regarding the Zero Draft, and
assure you we will give a more thorough read to this document and be prepared to
provide more substantive recommendations at the next UN PGA consultation with
Indigenous Peoples, scheduled on July 17, 2014, in preparation for the World
Conference on Indigenous Peoples.
1. We ask that the Alta Document and the Declaration and Plan of Action
from the World Conference on Indigenous Women, held in Lima, Peru in
October 2013, be used as foundational documents for the drafting of the
Outcome Documenta document that aims to be a Concise and Action
Oriented Document. We do not observe any reference of the latter
throughout the Zero Draft and this is of concern to Indigenous Women.

2. Section 1, 10. should be redrafted to balance the actions needed for the
empowerment of Indigenous Peoples to more effectively address all forms
of violence against Indigenous Women and that of the states
responsibility to prevent, intervene, resolve and provide redress to
violence, specifically violence intentionally or unintentionally induced by
the state, transnational and/or corporations. This statement, as it is,
exonerates the State from any responsibility or actions much needed to
prevent or resolve such forms of violence.
#10. Recognise the need to enable and empower indigenous
peoples to more effectively address all forms of violence
against indigenous women, youth and children, in particular
sexual and domestic violence, trafficking and violence related
to extractive industries.





3. Section II, 14. We recommend stronger action oriented language is
considered, rather than Encourage Human Rights Treaty bodies to
Consider including in their deliberations the relevant provisions of the
Declaration. Redrafting of this paragraph should exclude encouraging
and urge a commitment that aims to ensure Treaty Bodies, as well as
Special Procedures, will focus attention on the implementation of the
Declaration.
It is not enough to ask this of the United Nations Treaty Bodies. All
Special Procedure mechanisms, including all Special Rapporteurs,
should also be requested to do the same as Treaty Bodies, especially
when responding to violations against Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous
women, youth and children.
#14. Encourage Human Rights Treaty bodies [and special procedures]
to consider including in their deliberations the relevant provisions of
the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,
and to focus attention on their implementation.
This is all for now. Thank you, Mr. Chair.