Wednesday, April 21, 2010

More on the Declaration

A couple of quotes from separate media articles about the reasons why Canada won't sign;

Canada feels key parts of the text remain ambiguous and open to competing definitions that could, to give one example, allow native groups to reopen already settled land claims.


In his address to the General Assembly before the vote, Canada's UN ambassador, John McNee, said Canada had "significant concerns" over the declaration's wording on provisions addressing lands and resources, as well as another article calling on states to obtain prior informed consent with indigenous groups before enacting new laws or administrative measures.


And the following backs up Mai Chen's belief that the Declaration is a precursor to a more binding Convention;


Indigenous congress demands teeth for UN Declaration

THE UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, achieved after a 20-year struggle, recognises the right of the world's 370 million indigenous people to autonomy, self-determination and control of their territory and resources for their own benefit.
However, as a mere declaration, it lacks the legally binding nature of UN conventions, which form part of the framework of international law. This is the goal that the leaders of native peoples are now pursuing


And just listening to the radio today, reading the blogs and newspapers etc I think Key has significantly under-estimated NZ's response to his actions and the secrecy surrounding them.

7 comments:

Eric Crampton said...

I'd thought that Canada was moving to support; I was very surprised to read it, but apparently they're considering. Check this year's speech from the Throne.

KG said...

I wonder if the indigenous Brits will have their rights recognised under this treaty?
Not likely--they're the wrong colour.

Lindsay Mitchell said...

Eric, You are probably right but they haven't signed yet.

Swimming said...

Both Canada and the US have indicated they could support this declaration - which means all UN states may support this declaration.

Manolo said...

Key just game the way away with this declaration. He's buying the support of the racist Maori Party at the expense of the rest of us.

The PM's behaviour is disgraceful, to say the least.

Anonymous said...

This can only end in tears.

Dr Pita Sharples and Maori believe the signing, and euphoric atmosphere accorded his delegation to New York, conveys a message of new rights to compensation, land retrieval, and self-determination.

The National Government is making reference to the fine print which suggests it is all business as usual, symbolic but non-binding.

This cannot be a recipe for harmony and goodwill all round.

The secrecy surrounding the NY visit smacks of Helen Clark advising Tariana Turia to lie down in the Ministerial limousine to conceal her visit to Clark's office from the waiting press.

Anonymous said...

Unbelieveable. There was no discussion or talk about doing this whatsoever. He has mandate from his voters to sign this Declaration. Either Key has been reduced to the Maori Party lacky or he is incredibly naive.

Gloria.