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our health in our hands bulletin board introduction declartion on the rights of indigneous peoples < declartion on the rights of indigenous peoples The UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at its 107th plenary meeting on 13 September 2007. To view the Declaration, click on the link below: Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples The vote in the assembly was 143 in favour and four against. Eleven countries, including Russia and Colombia, abstained. The four nations opposed to the Declartion were Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon welcomed the adoption, saying: this marks a historic moment when UN member states and Indigenous peoples have reconciled with their painful histories and are resolved to move forward together on the path of human rights, justice and development for all. To view the full press release, click on the link below: United Nations, Historic Milestone for Indigenous Peoples Worldwide as UN Adopts Rights Declaration, Press Release. One of the key reasons for Australia's objection to the Declaration is its reference to the right of self-determination. However, as Pangula Mannmurna Chairperson, Gwen Owen has noted, Indigenous peoples already have the right of self-determination, as it is enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (both of which have been acceded to by Australia). Posted by Faye Stewart, 15/09/07. Back to Top