Innovative Plan for International Decolonisation Proposed to UN

Proposal Presented to UN Special Political Committee

An innovative plan to complete the decolonisation process for the remaining small island non self-governing territories worldwide has been recommended to the United Nations. The plan of action for a new International Decade for the Completion of the Decolonisation Mandate, initially introduced to the UN Decolonisation Committee last June, was presented in a 5^th October 2010 presentation to the United Nations Special Political and Decolonisation Committee (Fourth Committee) by Dr. Carlyle Corbin, international advisor on  governance and multilateral diplomacy. Corbin has served as an expert to United Nations Caribbean and Pacific regional seminars on decolonisation throughout since 1990. He is the former Minister of State for External Affairs of the US Virgin Islands Government. The full written statement follows:

Statement of Dr. Carlyle Corbin

International Advisor on Governance and Multilateral Diplomacy

to the United Nations Special Political and Decolonisation Committee

United Nations Headquarters, New York, N.Y.

5th  October 2010

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Permit me to extend my personal congratulations on your election to chair the Fourth Committee which deals with an interesting mix of political issues, not the least of which is the contemporary colonial question. The success of your country, Zimbabwe, in defeating colonialism, with wide international support, remains an important milestone in the history of the struggle for freedom and democratic governance in Africa and her diaspora.

As one of the independent experts participating in the Pacific Regional Seminar in Noumea last May, I join in expressing appreciation to President of New Caledonia, H.E. Philippe Gomes, for the excellent facilities and amenities provided for those important deliberations. I also congratulate President Gomes for his statement earlier this afternoon which provided an important perspective on the ongoing self-determination process in that territory.

Mr. Chairman,

The small island non self-governing territories in the Caribbean are, by and large, the remnants of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. These are countries of the African diaspora which have yet to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination. Contemporary colonialism is, therefore, very much alive in the Caribbean - as well as in the Pacific - even as these dependency arrangements have become increasingly complex, sophisticated and sometimes even devious.

The impact of globalisation, climate change, the global financial crisis, geo-strategic considerations, among other issues, have all served to slow the pace of decolonisation of these territories. These have often served as the basis for seeking to legitimise the dependency status through either creative interpretations of what constitutes self-government, or by simply ignoring the UN’s role in the process altogether.

But, make no mistake, the present dependency models, however sophisticated, are still in violation of the principle of self-determination, and are wholly inconsistent with democratic governance. Self-determination is a fundamental human right which has not been exercised by the people of these territories despite the UN Charter, General Assembly resolutions and human rights instruments which guarantee this right under international law. This should be borne in mind as the United Nations in 2010 observes its 50th anniversary of the Decolonisation Declaration, as Africa reflects on a half-century of independence, and as Asia and the Pacific commemorate their respective successes in the achievement of full self-government with the concerted attention of the United Nations.

Mr. Chairman,

This year marks the end of the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, and provides the international community with an opportunity to take stock of how the decolonisation process has fared. To this end, I have conducted during several analyses on the implementation of the Declaration during the first and second International Decades at the request of various chairs of the Decolonisation Committee for consideration by member States.

The 2010 analysis reviewed the implementation of decolonisation resolutions, examined UN assistance to the territories, and assessed any collaboration which may have been initiated with relevant human rights bodies pursuant to the General Assembly. The analysis also examined activities of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues aimed at the self-determination of the indigenous peoples in the territories, particularly in the Pacific, and activities of civil society in trying to refocus international attention on decolonisation.

The results of these analyses were presented at the UN regional seminars, and at the regular sessions of the Special Committee on Decolonisation during the first and second International Decades. The conclusion of the 2010 review is that much remains to be done in fulfilling the decolonisation mandate. That only one territory (Timor Leste) has been decolonised since the independence of Namibia two decades ago is testament to this fact.

The 2010 analysis recommended an updated plan of action (attached) for the authorisation of a third International Decade, with primary focus on implementation of the actions called for by the Assembly. It was concluded that there is nothing wrong with the resolutions which have been finely tuned over the years. The role of member states of my own Caribbean region in devising these targeted actions is especially commended, and is a testament to the awareness of the ties which bind the people of the Caribbean irrespective of varying levels of political development Ands constitutional advancement.

But it is the implementation of these resolutions that very much remains the weak point. Clearly, the selective enforcement of UN resolutions is a consistent concern which hinders the international process, and especially works against developing countries. The non self-governing territories are similarly affected, and they have limited opportunity to express their concerns.

It was concluded that for implementation of the decolonization mandate to succeed, new methods of work, including special mechanisms such as those employed by the human rights bodies, should be introduced as a matter of urgency. The consistent adoption of the same resolutions year-after-year without implementation renders them less effective over time.

Mr. Chairman,

The 2010 analysis also concluded that self-governance indicators should be utilised in determining whether these territories have met the recognised threshold of self-government. The use of indicators was questioned at the Special Committee, but clarification was not possible under the Committee’s procedures. I will offer that clarification now.

Governance indicators are routinely used by UNDP to assess the extent of compliance with democratic governance practices. Other UN bodies also use such methods. Self-governance indicators which are being finalized by an expert group from Caribbean and Pacific territories which will serve to organise the existing decolonisation mandates, systematically, comprehensively and scientifically as a method of assessing whether the territories have met basic minimum standards of self-government long established in UN resolutions. Whilst each territory should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, there must be some standard against which such a review is made. Otherwise, the effectiveness of this approach would have limited meaning. These self-governance indictors will be made available to the relevant committees of the United Nations, as well as various regional organisations.

Mr. Chairman,

The 2010 analysis of the decolonisation process makes the following point:

“There appears to be a clear difference in perception as to what constitutes success. The adoption of resolutions (alone) and the de-listing of territories from UN review do not constitute success. The actual achievement of full self-government by the peoples of the territories is the real success. The de-listing is the afterthought. It is not, and cannot be perceived, as the goal...Unless this gap of perception is closed, and actual implementation initiated in earnest, it is questionable whether actual decolonisation could win out over the legitimisation of colonial reform that would invariably place the UN stamp of approval on contemporary colonial governance (resulting in)… a premature end to the self-determination process, without (actually) achieving self-determination. Such a development would deleteriously affect millions of people in non self-governing territories worldwide.”

Accordingly, a new International Decade can only succeed if such innovative measures as those suggested in the 2010 Analysis, and other relevant procedures are instituted. I end with the conclusion of my report to the Special Committee on Decolonisation last June:

“…It was Martin King who said that “progress does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability.” For us to make real progress to achieve decolonisation, the United Nations system needs to adapt to incorporate new ideas, while remaining absolutely true to the principles of self-determination and subsequent decolonisation of the peoples of our remaining territories. The United Nations… needs to seriously examine whether its method of work is an impediment to that progress, as many of the territories have concluded (the short allotted time of four minutes for those who have travelled half-way across the world is illustrative).

"As it has been said, the price of doing the same thing, year after year, is far greater than the price of change. This is so if the results of the “repetition of process” do not yield the desired result. Accordingly, a new decade with a revitalized plan of action is vital in this regard, with specific focus on implementation of the existing mandate through innovative means. The present method of work has not succeeded in the implementation of the mandate which remains as valid today as it has been over the twenty-year period of the two international decades for the eradication of colonialism."

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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ANNEX

Proposed Plan of Action for International Decade for the Full Implementation

of the Decolonization Mandate (2011-2020)

INTRODUCTION

1. The ultimate goal of the International Decade for the Full Implementation of the Decolonization Mandate should be the full implementation of the Decolonization Declaration through the exercise of the right to self-determination, including independence, consistent with Resolutions 1514 (XV) and Resolution 1541 (XV) through the exercise of the right to self-determination by the peoples of the remaining Non Self-Governing Territories in accordance with all relevant resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly, including the principles contained in the Declaration, in furtherance of the realization of democratic governance, and through a proactive approach to the full implementation of the actions called for in the present plan of action.

I. ACTION AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

2. The international community, including administering Powers which administer Non Self-Governing Territories, other member States, the United Nations system of organizations, regional and other intergovernmental organizations, as well as and non-governmental organizations, should coordinate their efforts to assist the peoples of the Non Self-Governing Territories in their progress towards exercising their inalienable right to self-determination and full decolonization, and to this end, should actively participate in the implementation of the present Plan of Action.

3. The international community should ensure that its decisions in United Nations and other intergovernmental organisations are in furtherance of the actions called for in the international mandate on decolonization, including those contained in relevant United Nations resolutions, as well as those outlined in the present Plan of Action.

4. The international community should seek to enable the peoples of the Non Self-Governing Territories to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination, which is a fundamental human right, and to decide their future political status with complete knowledge and awareness of the full range of legitimate political options available to them, including independence. In that context, particular emphasis should be placed on the dissemination of information to the Non Self-Governing Territories on the functioning of contemporary models of full political equality.

5. The international community should ensure that all political exercises relating to self-determination are carried out in an atmosphere free from intimidation and external interference, and allow for the open expression of the interest and aspirations of the peoples of the remaining Non Self-Governing Territories irrespective of factors such as size, geographical location, size of population or availability of economic resources. In this connection, particular emphasis should be placed on providing the necessary assistance from the international community, as appropriate, to facilitate a successful exercise of self-determination.

II. ACTION AT THE UNITED NATIONS LEVEL

6. The Member States of the United Nations, including those States which administer territories, as well as the United Nations system, should take all necessary steps to facilitate the exercise of self-determination in the Non Self-Governing Territories. In this connection, the United Nations, in consultation with the administering powers, should ensure that the peoples of the Non Self-Governing Territories are made fully aware of the political status options available to them through increased and sustained contact with the elected leaders, with educational institutions and civil society organizations in the territories, and with the peoples themselves.

7. The United Nations Department of Public Information should intensify its dissemination of information on the decolonization process, in conjunction with the political education programmes as outlined in paragraph 8, and should utilize civil society institutions, United Nations Information Centres, tertiary institutions in the territories, media outlets and government information services, as well as experts on decolonization, in the dissemination process.

8. The Electoral Affairs Division of the Department of Political Affairs in consultation with the Special Committee other relevant United Nations bodies, the territorial governments and the administering Powers, should develop adequate and unbiased political education programmes for the Territories in order to heighten the awareness among the people of the territories of their inalienable right to self-determination in conformity with the legitimate political status options consist with relevant resolutions of the United Nations. In this connection, these programmes should precede a genuine act of self-determination which should be exercised in each territory, conducted by or under observation of the United Nations, as appropriate, not later than 31 December 2020, in accordance with principles contained in the Decolonisation Declaration and all relevant resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly.

9. The relevant United Nations bodies, including its specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, should examine and review conditions in each of the Non Self-Governing Territories so as to take appropriate measures to accelerate progress in the economic, social and governance sectors, consistent with relevant United Nations resolutions. In this connection, the United Nations should formulate programmes of assistance to the remaining Non Self-Governing Territories, and facilitate the participation of the territories in relevant programmes and activities of the United Nations system, as well as through membership, associate membership or observer status, within the framework of the mandates of the organization concerned, in order to enhance the economic and administrative capacity of the Non Self-Governing Territories.

10. The Secretary-General, or his Special Representative, should visit each of the Non Self-Governing Territories as early as possible during the Decade and report thereon to the General Assembly, and the Secretary-General should expand the reports on implementation of the decolonisation mandate, called for by the Assembly, with focus on the actions taken by the United Nations system.

III. ACTION BY THE ADMINISTERING POWERS

11. Administering Powers should take the necessary measures to promote the political, economic, social, cultural and educational advancement of the people of the Non-Self-Governing Territories thereby strengthening their capacity to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination, should provide the United Nations with comprehensive information in accordance with Article 73 (e) of the Charter; and should report annually to the General Assembly on all necessary measures taken to develop self-government, to take due account of the political aspirations of the peoples, and to assist them in the progressive development of their free political institutions in accordance with Article 73 (b) of the Charter.

12. Administering Powers should ensure that the exercises of the right of self-determination for the peoples of the Non Self-Governing Territories is not affected by changes in the demographic composition of the Territories under their administration as a result of the displacement of the peoples of the Territories.

13. Administering Powers should implement measures aimed at ensuring the ownership and control of the natural resources of the Non Self-Governing territories, including marine and property resources, by the people of the territories, and should assist the territories in the development of mechanisms aimed at conserving those natural resources and preserving the environment of the territories.

14. Administering Powers should enact measures to assist the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories in achieving the maximum possible level of economic self-reliance, environmental protection, and social and educational development. In this connection, Administering Powers should facilitate the participation of the territories in relevant United Nations programmes in these respective spheres.

15. Administering Powers should consider, as a matter of urgency, the resumption of formal cooperation with the Special Committee through an interactive dialogue with the Member States of the Committee in formal and informal sessions, in order to provide the Special Committee with the opportunity to hear, first hand, the perspective of the Administering Powers on the self-determination process leading to the decolonisation of the Non Self-Governing Territories under their administration.

16. Administering Powers should facilitate, in accordance with all relevant resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly, and taking into account Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 and resolution 1541 (XV) of 15 December 1960, the participation of Territories under their administration in the programmes and activities of the specialized agencies and other organizations within the United Nations system, as well as in United Nations bodies on decolonization including, in particular, the Special Committee on Decolonization, as well as regional and international organizations.

17. Administering Powers should facilitate the dispatch of United Nations visiting and special missions to each of the remaining non self-governing territories, at the request of, and in cooperation with, the Special Committee on Decolonisation, and in conjunction with the relevant United Nations bodies at regular intervals.

18. Administering Powers should refrain from military activities in Non Self-Governing territories which may adversely affect the rights and interests of the people concerned, and which may create health and environmental hazards.

IV. ACTION BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON DECOLONIZATION

19. The Special Committee on Decolonization should organize regional seminars on an annual basis, alternating between the Caribbean and Pacific regions, to review the progress achieved in the implementation of the plan of action, with the participation of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, their elected and appointed representatives, the administering Powers, Member States, regional organizations, specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations and regional and international experts. In this connection, the primary focus of the regional seminars should be to hear the views of the representatives of the territorial governments and institutions, as well as the regional experts.

20. The Special Committee should continue to examine the situation with regard to political, economic and social developments in all Non Self-Governing Territories. In this connection, the Decolonization Unit should enhance the Working Papers on each Non Self-Governing Territory, for the consideration of the Special Committee, to include a broader range of information sources, and to group the working papers according to their respective regions in order to facilitate more analysis of cross-cutting and thematic decolonization issues by member States, consistent with the recommendation of the 2007 Report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services on the in-depth evaluation of political affairs.

21. The Special Committee shall establish a timetable for the dispatch of four visiting missions per year to Non Self-Governing Territories. In this connection, the Special Committee should seek, as a matter of priority, the full concurrence of the administering Powers with regard to the dispatch of the missions, and the participation and support of relevant United Nations agencies, in particular the United Nations Development Programme and the relevant United Nations regional commissions, in providing substantive support to the missions.

22. The Special Committee, with the cooperation of the administering Powers, should make every effort to facilitate and encourage the participation of representatives of Non-Self-Governing Territories in the Special Committee itself, and in other United Nations bodies which deal with self-determination and decolonization, in particular the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), the Third Committee and the relevant human rights bodies.

23. The Special Committee should begin a constructive work programme, on a case-by-case basis, to include an examination of the political and constitutional framework of each Territory including constitutional rights and sovereignty issues, and an assessment of the socio-economic situation to inform the political education programme in advance of the act of self-determination.

24. The Special Committee should develop a formal programme of collaboration with other United Nations bodies which also address self-determination and decolonization issues, in particular the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), the Human Rights Council and the Human Rights Committee, within the framework of their respective mandates with the aim of exchanging information, consistent with relevant United Nations resolutions.

VI. ACTION BY INDEPENDENT EXPERT

25. The Independent Expert, as confirmed by the Special Committee on Decolonization, should conduct a critical analysis of the progress and extent of the achievement towards self-government in each of the Non Self-Governing Territories, and an independent assessment of the economic and social situation in the territories, with specific focus on the small island territories under review of the Special Committee.

26. The Independent Expert should finalize the Self-Governance Indicators for consideration in the assessment of the level of self-government in the remaining territories to identify where deficiencies exist in the present political arrangements, and to make appropriate recommendations for consideration of the Special Committee.

27. The Independent Expert should present an annual report to the Special Committee on Decolonization, and should engage in an interactive dialogue with member States at the beginning of the substantive session of the Special Committee each year on the self-determination and decolonisation processes in each of the remaining territories.

28. The Independent Expert should provide substantive support to the visiting missions of the Special Committee, and should conduct fact-finding missions to individual territories, as appropriate, subject to the availability of resources, including external resources.

VII. COORDINATION, REVIEW, APPRAISAL AND REPORTING

29. The Special Committee, in consultation with the Department of Political Affairs and the Office of the Secretary-General should coordinate the plan of action of the International Decade to Implement the Decolonization Mandate.

30. The Special Committee should submit annually to the General Assembly an analytical report containing:

(a) A review and appraisal of the activities undertaken in connection with the Decade.

(b) Suggestions and recommendations.

31. The Secretary-General should submit to the General Assembly a comprehensive annual report on action taken, as well as on suggestions and trends that emerge from the implementation of the plan of action.

32. The Secretary-General should submit to the General Assembly at its 70th session a mid-term report on the implementation of the plan of action, and a final report on implementation of the International Decade at its 75th session.

CARICOM and Bermuda Condemn UK over Turks & Caicos Islands

Turks and Caicos Islands Sun

By Hayden Boyce
SUN Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Premier of Bermuda, Dr. Ewart Brown, have condemned the United Kingdom’s (UK) decision to indefinitely postpone elections which were scheduled to be held in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) in July, 2011.

In a statement released on September 30, CARICOM stated it was greatly concerned with the recent decision of the British Government to postpone general elections in the TCI. The regional body called for direct rule to be replaced by self rule in this British Overseas Territory, and for a return to democracy for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, which has been an Associate Member of CARICOM since July 1991.

Noting that this decision will result in the continuation of the imposition of direct rule from London for an undetermined period and, consequently, in a delay in the return to constitutional government, CARICOM added: “This recent disquieting development reinforces the view of the Caribbean Community that the imposition of direct rule is totally at odds with the development of good governance, including improved fiscal and administrative management, in the Turks and Caicos Islands – the professed aim of the policy of the British Government.”

“That objective,” CARICOM added, “cannot be met by the continued disenfranchisement of the Turks and Caicos Islanders, by the denial of their inalienable right to shape their own future nor by the artificial widening of the voter base. Good political and fiscal governance cannot be handed down. Its nature and contours have to be moulded by the people of the territory.”

Established on August 1, 1973, CARICOM’s 15 members now comprise Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Associate members are Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Meantime, Bermuda’s Premier Dr. Brown, who is a close friend of former TCI Premier Michael Misick, said he was “deeply saddened by the continuing, dreadful delay in restoring full democratic rights to the people of Turks and Caicos Islands.”

In a media statement, Brown said: “Historically governments and government leaders throughout the world that have taken the step of suspending free, democratic elections have been roundly condemned and sanctioned. If this were to occur in Zimbabwe for example, the world and the UK government in particular would refer to the move as barbaric and characterize its government as a cruel dictatorship.

The Premier continued, “Bermudians and the people of Turks and Caicos share deep historical and familial ties and it is my fervent hope that free elections and a government duly elected by the people will be quickly restored to that country.”

Last month the UK Minister for Overseas Territories, Henry Bellingham, during a visit to the TCI, said that the delay would allow time for further important work to take place on public financial management and good governance reform on the island and will allow for the reforms to become fully embedded.

"The UK Government has considered all the Interim Government’s work over the past 12 months; all the challenges that remain, not least economic stability; and, taking all of these factors into account, we have decided that the elections will not take place in July 2011,” he said.

Sections of the TCI Constitution were suspended on August 14, 2009 following a Commission of Inquiry report into allegations of corruption in the country.

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Les collectivités de l’outre-mer et la coopération institutionnelle régionale et internationale

Discours prononcé mercredi 25 août 2010 au Marie-Luce Penchard,
ministre chargée de l’Outre-mer


Mesdames et Messieurs les Ambassadeurs,

Je reprends la parole pour introduire notre troisième thème, « les collectivités de l’outre-mer et la coopération institutionnelle régionale et internationale ».

La coopération régionale apparaît en effet comme une dimension incontournable du développement des Outre-mers, et de leur affirmation identitaire ; en outre, on constate une volonté de renforcement de leurs compétences internationales. Parallèlement, les Outre-mers constituent des pôles d’influence française, et peuvent servir en quelque sorte de « point d’appui régional » à l’influence française.

Comment développer ce rôle, tout en assurant la cohérence de la parole de la France à l’étranger ? Je suggère quatre pistes de réflexion :

D’abord confier chaque fois que cela est possible la responsabilité de la délégation française à un élu ultramarin proche. C’est ce que nous venons de faire avec le Directeur d’Asie, M. Paul Jean-Ortiz, en offrant successivement au Sénateur Louechkote la responsabilité de la délégation française à la dernière réunion du « post Forum du Pacifique », puis au Député Frogier celle de mener notre délégation aux cérémonies anniversaire de l’indépendance du Vanuatu. Je crois, sous le contrôle de nos ambassadeurs concernés que cela a été une bonne décision. Je crois que cette présence dynamise le rôle de l’ambassadeur et offre une véritable plus-value car l’élu concerné apporte avec lui son réseau régional. Je souhaite entendre votre opinion sur ce point.

Ensuite, renforcer le rôle des Commissions mixtes. Plusieurs ont été créées cette année et je remercie tout particulièrement Mme Elisabeth Béton-Delègue, la Directrice des Amériques, pour le travail effectué en la matière. D’autres peuvent être créées, je pense à Sint Marteen. Des sous-commissions nous sont aussi réclamées, je pense au « Conseil du fleuve Oyapock », sur le modèle du « Conseil du fleuve Maroni .

Troisième piste de réflexion, le renforcement des relations entre les ambassades et les préfectures. Je sais que beaucoup a été fait. Je remercie en particulier Stéphane Gompertz, le Directeur d’Afrique, pour avoir organisé, avec l’ambassadeur Leyssene, la réunion régionale des ambassadeurs de l’océan indien et la conférence de coopération régionale à La Réunion, symboliquement au sein même du Conseil Régional. Je crois que nous pouvons également suivre l’exemple de notre ambassade à Port au Prince, qui a programmé à la rentrée des réunions auprès des CCI de Guadeloupe et de Martinique pour les informer sur les marchés potentiels liés à la reconstruction à Haïti. Il nous faudra aussi travailler à faciliter la représentation des collectivités au sein même des ambassades. Les conventions visant à gérer l’arrivée de ces nouveaux agents sont en cours de finalisation, et j’en remercie tout particulièrement Stéphane Romatet, le Directeur Général de l’Administration du Quai d’Orsay , comme ses services, qui réfléchissent actuellement à la partie « formation » de ces nouveaux agents.

Quatrième piste de réflexion, travailler à une meilleure intégration de nos collectivités au sein des organisations régionales. Les perspectives principales me semblent les suivantes :

La Guadeloupe et la Martinique pourraient faire acte de candidature à l’OECS (Organisation des États de la Caraïbe Orientale), auprès de laquelle la France est désormais accréditée à travers notre ambassade à Sainte-Lucie. Depuis le nouveau statut, deux territoires de l’outre-mer britanniques sont devenus membres associés, statut qui me paraît recommandable.

La Guyane pourrait, le cas échéant délégation de la France, faire acte de candidature auprès de l’OTCA, organisation du traité de coopération amazonien.

Les cinq collectivités territoriales des Antilles-Guyane pourraient faire acte de candidature à la Communauté des Caraïbes, CARICOM. Je souhaite entendre vos recommandations sur ce point.

En ce qui concerne l’Association des États de la Caraïbe (AEC), dont la France est membre associé, au titre de la Guadeloupe, de la Guyane, de la Martinique, et, depuis janvier 2010, de Saint-Barthélemy et de Saint-Martin, je souhaiterais qu’une sorte de « présidence tournante » de notre délégation soit établie entre nos collectivités.

la Nouvelle Calédonie pourrait voir sa position renforcée au sein du « Forum des Iles du Pacifique » ainsi que du « Fer de lance ». La Polynésie pourrait solliciter une évolution parallèle.

Enfin, le rehaussement de notre représentation au sein du COMESA et de l’IOR/ARC ne manquera pas d’impacter sur la Réunion et Mayotte, France de l’océan indien.

Voilà très rapidement brossées quelques pistes de réflexion sur « les collectivités d’outre-mer et l’international ». Vous avez la parole.

Seul le prononcé fait foi

Addressing the special needs of the most vulnerable

Summary of United Nations Round Table 5

High Level Plenary Meeting of the 65th Session of the General Assembly on the Millennium Development Goals


Dr. the Hon. W. Baldwin Spencer
Prime Minister
Antigua and Barbuda


Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

I am honoured to present a summary of the discussion in Round Table 5 on Addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.

* It was observed that that the promotion and protection of human rights is a prerequisite for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. We must spare no effort to advance equality and non-discrimination with regards to gender, age, disability, ethnicity, geographical location, and HIV/AIDS status.

* It was noted that to answer the question of who the most vulnerable are and what are the causes of their vulnerability we need more disaggregated data.

* The representatives of small island developing states and landlocked countries pointed out their special vulnerability to climate change, natural disasters, high costs of energy and transportation. To fight climate change more investments should be made in mitigation and adaptation mechanisms, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and investment in renewable energies.

* The international community is urged to assist vulnerable countries: least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing states in addressing their specific needs and development challenges. Urgent action must focus on effective aid and trade policies; fulfilling of all ODA commitments and further mobilization of financial resources for development, including capacity building and technology transfer.

* Countries in conflict and post-conflict situations are especially vulnerable and in need of renewed focus on peace-building, including
consolidation of state institutions and assistance to internally displaced people and refugees.

* Member States recognize that ensuring equitable access to economic opportunities and social services for the poor and those in vulnerable situations is vital for the achievement of the MDGs. We should devote adequate resources to tackle basic sources of vulnerability, such as lack of access to adequate nutrition, education, skills training, health services and decent jobs. More efforts are needed to ensure access to financial services, including microfinance, credit and insurance for all, and especially those in vulnerable situations.

* Governments also underscore that comprehensive systems of social protection are essential to reduce inequality and vulnerability and achieve development goals as well as shield those most vulnerable in times of economic crises. Some also noted that conditional and unconditional cash transfers can be effective in vulnerability reduction.

* More international cooperation is needed to support policies and programmes to reduce vulnerability of people living with HIV/AIDS through prevention, treatment, care and support strategies, including special efforts to address stigmatization and discrimination.

* Vulnerable groups, especially women and minorities should be empowered and represented in national parliaments and included in the development process.

* Vulnerability in context of peace-negotiations was also noted. Special needs of Palestinian refugees merit special attention.

* In conclusion, we all agree that without addressing the special needs of the most vulnerable countries and people MDGs cannot be achieved.

Thank You Very Much.

Independent Analysis Concludes Decolonisation Remains Unfinished Agenda of the United Nations

Comprehensive Study Shows Limited Progress in Carrying Out the Decolonisation Mandate

An independent Analysis of the Implementation of the United Nations Decolonisation Mandate during the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2001 – 2010) has concluded that whilst the United Nations has adopted a series of significant recommendations over the last two decades to bring the contemporary colonial era to a close, the implementation of these measures adopted by the nations of the world leave much to be desired. The study noted that the lack of follow-through is the most important impediment to bringing "new millenium colonialism" to a close. The United Nations formlly lists sixteen non self-governing territories comprised of island dependencies in the Caribbean and Pacific, as well as several under sovereignty dispute. Only two territories since 1990- Namibia and Timor Leste - have exercised their inalienable right to self-determination and subsequet decolonisation.

The study was conducted by Independent Expert on Governance and Multilateral Diplomacy Dr. Carlyle Corbin who delivered the initial findings to the United Nations Pacific Regional Seminar on Decolonisation which met in Noumea, Kanaky (New Caledonia) last May. The full and updated analysis has been published in the September  2010 edition of Overseas Territories Report (Vol. IX No. 5).  The following  Introduction to the analysis was made available to OTR.

Introduction

The Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (IDEC) is scheduled to expire at the end of 2010, coinciding with the fiftieth anniversary of the landmark Decolonisation Declaration [Resolution 1514 (XV)] , and Resolution 1541 (XV) which defined the minimum international standards of full self-government through the three legitimate political status alternatives of independence, free association with an independent States and integration into an independent State.

The present analysis serves as an update to the “Mid-Term Assessment of the Level of Implementation of the Plan of Action of the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism” (Canuoan Assessment Paper) delivered to the Caribbean Regional Seminar on the Implementation of the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism: mid term review, follow-up, and priorities for action which convened in Canouan, St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2005.

The assessment on the implementation of the mandate of the First International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism over the period (1991-2000), was presented to the United Nations Pacific and Caribbean Regional Seminar(s) to Review the Political, Economic and Social Conditions in the Small Island Non-Self-Governing Territories which convened in Majuro, Marshall Islands in 2000, and to the Caribbean regional seminar which met in La Habana, Cuba in 2001, respectively. The Majuro and Havana Assessments were utilised in support of the adoption of the Second IDEC.

The present analysis identifies the legislative authority in undertaking the international decolonisation mandate during the second IDEC (2001-2010), as established in relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Additionally, the recommendations of the Caribbean and Pacific regional seminars were examined since the actions called for largely emanated from governmental and civil society representatives of the non self-governing territories themselves. The regional seminars themselves emerged as the most successful and consistent activity of the two plans of action for the first and second decades.

Within this framework, the paper also explores the level of implementation of the actions called for by the United Nations system, including the Special Committee on Decolonisation, the wider UN system including its UN specialised agencies, the administering Powers and relevant intergovernmental organisations and civil society.

The overall intention of the paper is to assess the level of compliance to date with the international mandate undertaken by the relevant stakeholders, consistent with recognised international standards, and to offer future strategies to be taken for the way forward.

The full analysis is available from overseasreview@yahoo.com .

Major Conference on Small Islands to Convene at United Nations Headquarters

Most Overseas Countries & Territories Eligible to Participate

United Nations member States will undertake a 5-year review of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States at the beginning of the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly. The session will convene for two days on 24-25 September 2010.

Those overseas countries and territories (OCTs) which are associate members of the United Nations regional economic commissions are eligible for participation in the conference in the capacity of official observer providing for full participation in the proceedings including the right to address the session from the podium, and participation in all other events consistent with established practice. The legislative authority for the participation of the OCTs in the conference is U.N. General Assembly 64/199 of 21 December 2009 which:

"Invites the participation of associate members of regional commissions in the high-level review, subject to the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, and in the preparatory process thereof, as observers, in the same capacity specified for their participation at the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, held in Mauritius from 10 to 14 January 2005."

Eligible Associate Member Countries

Anguilla

Aruba

(Bermuda) 1/ 

British Virgin Islands

Cayman Islands

Montserrat
Netherlands Antilles

Puerto Rico

(Turks & Caicos) 2/

US Virgin Islands

American Samoa

Cook Islands

French Polynesia

Guam

New Caledonia

Niue

Northern Mariana Islands

Tokelau 1/

1/ Territory is not an associate member of a UN regional economic commission

2/ Due to suspension of elected government eligibility for participation is in question.

*****

The genesis of participation of the associate member countries in United Nations world conferences emerged from the Working Group of Non-Independent Caribbean Countries (NICCs) of the Caribbean Development & Cooperation Committee (a subsidary body of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean) dating to the early 1990s.

The category of participation of "Associate Members of Regional Economic Commissions" in United Nations world conferences and special sessions of the General Assembly was initiated by the associate members of ECLAC in the run-up to the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), otherwise known as the Earth Summit. The result was the establishment of a mechanism through which the overseas countries and territories (OCTs) could engage the international debate on issues in the economic and social sphere as it directly affects them. It should be noted that for those OCTs whose international relations are controlled by an administering power, the eligibility criteria for participation of the territories has been adopted by consensus in the UN General Assembly with the support of the cosmopolitan countries.

Several United Nations studies were undertaken to bring to light modalities for the participation of OCTs in the UN world conferences, and in the wider United Nations system, respectively. These studies serve as a blueprint for participation.

Governments of associate member countries of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) are urged to communicate their interest in participation to the United Nations Department of General Assembly and ECOSOC Affairs, or alternatively to contact their respective regional commission offices in Trinidad and Tobago (for the Caribbean), and Fiji (for the Pacific) for further information.

For Chile, Colossal Trouble On Easter Island (Rapa Nui)

Annie Murphy
National Public Radio

Easter Island's ancient stone statues number nearly 1,000 and stand like sentries on the dramatic landscape. The descendants of the indigenous Rapanui people who made the carvings have a dispute with Chile over land and rights. The monumental statues of Easter Island have made the isolated island, more than 2,000 miles off the coast of Chile, an international tourist destination that carries the U.N. designation as a World Heritage Site. But the modern-day descendants of the people who made those ancient statues, the indigenous Rapanui, have a conflict with the Chilean state.

When Chile took over in the late 19th century, the Rapanui were pushed off their lands. Several thousand Rapanui still live on Easter Island, but they say outsiders now control the island, including its lucrative tourism industry.

On a breathtaking rocky point that juts out into sapphire-blue water, the Hanga Roa Hotel is a luxury eco-resort and spa — at least, it was supposed to be until the Hito clan took it over.

On a recent day, dozens of men, women and children were camped out on the lobby's couches. They evicted hotel staff, and they cook traditional Rapanui food on outdoor fires. Santi Hitorangi, a member of the Rapanui (pronounced rap-ah-NEW-ee), said he started this chain of events by planting a garden next to the hotel, which sits on land that used to belong to his clan.

Decades ago, the property was acquired by the government, and then traded between private owners. By law, only Rapanui can own land on Easter Island. But the law is not strictly enforced. Hitorangi said the Rapanui want to recover ownership of the entire island. When charges were pressed against Hitorangi, he went to the U.S., where he is now based.

"First and foremost is the title to the land, because there you have the right to determine local politics, to represent the Rapanui people, the Rapanui interests, culture," he said by phone from his home in Goshen, N.Y. "Bear in mind that the presence of the colonial government of Chile in Rapanui has one main purpose — to assimilate us to them."

The Rapanui are the original inhabitants of this windswept piece of grass, rock and sand. Geographically, Easter Island is part of Polynesia. It is home to nearly 1,000 mysterious statues called moai, positioned across the island like sentries amid a dramatic setting of volcanic stone cliffs above the ocean. When Chile laid claim to the island just over a century ago, it simply corralled the Rapanui into the island's one town, the village of Hanga Roa, and leased the rest to a sheep farm. It wasn't until the 1960s that the Rapanui became Chilean citizens.

Today, the village has a steady stream of tourists, which means it has electricity and water. Many Rapanui work in tourism and live in small cement or wood houses topped by metal roofs. Some still use horses to get around and do work.

For a tourist, Easter Island can feel like paradise — beautiful scenery, warm climate and world-class archaeological sites. The Rapanui are fine with tourists coming to their island. It is the unchecked flow of Chileans they are upset about.

Angela Tuki is part of the clan that has taken over the Hanga Roa Hotel. "We're tired of explaining everything to the state. Everything they do here goes badly. Especially immigration — it's not immigration, it's an invasion," she said. "Since there's no border between the island and the mainland, the state doesn't listen to us as a distinct ethnic group." The Hito clan has taken over the one hotel, but dozens of other properties in town are being occupied by other clans with ancestral claims.

The island's governor resigned because of the situation. Interim Gov. Jorge Miranda — who is from mainland Chile — said the Rapanui can't just expect the current government to solve century-old problems. "Unfortunately it's true that there were abuses and human rights violations. But it happened in another context, under another administration. We have good intentions to dialogue and resolve this problem peacefully," he said. But many Rapanui have lost faith in the Chilean government and don't even identify themselves as Chilean.

Tihi Tuki, a member of the clan occupying the Hanga Roa Hotel, wears fatigues as if in combat and has a topknot of rust-colored hair. Tuki spent years collecting garbage in town and said he quit because he felt like a servant to Chile. He tattooed the word "trash" on his right hand in Rapanui, so he wouldn't forget the experience. Now he plays music, does woodworking and finds odd jobs. Tuki lives in a shelter made of salvaged metal near Anakena Beach, an isolated cove on the north end of the island. It is also a popular spot for tourists. "I'm the heir to this place; this has nothing to do with the Chilean government. And I'm going to occupy the land that rightfully belongs to me," Tuki said.

But the Rapanui face big challenges and constant setbacks. Police recently evicted the Hito clan from the Hanga Roa Hotel. And the clan went right back and reoccupied it.

Muere el independentista Juan Mari Brás

La Raza

Muere el independentista Juan Mari Brás

San Juan/INS

El histórico dirigente independentista puertorriqueño Juan Mari Brás falleció a eso de la 1:45 de la madrugada de hoy a los 83 años de edad tras una prolongada convalecencia en su hogar, confirmó a la agencia Inter News Service su yerno Enrique Estrada.

“Murió tranquilo en su hogar”, dijo Estrada, casado con Rosa Mari Pesquera, al indicar que en el transcurso del día se ofrecerán detalles de los funerales. El deceso de Mari Brás se produjo en su hogar en San Juan, donde convaleció el último año bajo el cuidado de su esposa Marta Brás.

El dirigente político ostentaba la ciudadanía puertorriqueña después de una ardua batalla legal que se originó cuando en 1994 se presentó a la embajada de Estados Unidos en Venezuela a renunciar la ciudadanía estadounidense, que Washington impuso a los boricuas en 1917.

Fue uno de los fundadores principales en 1959 del Movimiento Pro Independencia (MPI) de Puerto Rico, inspirado en la triunfante Revolución Cubana, que en 1971 devino en el Partido Socialista Puertorriqueño (PSP), marxista-leninista), del que fuera secretario general.

Ya en 1946 había participado en la fundación del Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño (PIP), del cual se distanció al radicalizar su visión revolucionaria inspirado en la figura del triunfante líder cubano Fidel Castro, a quien ya había conocido en su época universitaria durante un viaje a La Habana.

Expulsado de la Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR) por participar en la huelga estudiantil de 1948, debió marchar a Estados Unidos a proseguir estudios en Florida Southern College, en el estado de la Florida.

En 1954 se graduó de abogado en la Escuela de Leyes de la American University, en la capital estadounidense, tras haber sido expulsado de la George Washington University durante la persecución anticomunista del senador Joseph McCarthy.

Mari Brás, a la par con el MPI, fue fundador junto al periodista y sindicalista César Andreu Iglesias del periódico izquierdista Claridad, que se continúa publicando como propulsor de la independencia puertorriqueña.

La salud del líder izquierdista comenzó a complicarse tras sufrir una caída el 31 de mayo de 2009 en su residencia en el sector Dulces Labios, en la occidental municipalidad de Mayagüez, donde había nacido el 2 de diciembre de 1926.

Debido a esa caída en octubre de ese año fue sometido a una intervención quirúrgica en la cabeza en el Centro Médico en Río Piedras, la que estuvo a cargo del doctor Eric Carro, con el propósito de succionarle unos hematomas subdurales que le causaban presión cerebral.Mari Brás salió airoso de esa cirugía, pero en diciembre de 2009 estuvo bajo cuidado intensivo en el hospital Bella Vista de Mayagüez a causa de una pulmonía. En esa oportunidad, los médicos le han descubierto un nódulo en el pulmón izquierdo, que le trajo otras complicaciones de salud.

El líder izquierdista murió con la profunda tristeza, recordó su yerno Estrada, de que jamás se esclareció quiénes estuvieron en 1976 detrás del asesinato de uno de sus hijos, Santiago (Chagui) Mari Pesquera. Para entonces Mari Brás, que en 1973 se había convertido en el primer independentista puertorriqueño en hablar en las Naciones Unidas, se encontraba inmerso en la campaña eleccionaria, ya que era candidato a la gobernación de Puerto Rico por el PSP.

En diciembre de 2009, su hija Rosa Mari Pesquera, portavoz de la Comisión por la Verdad y la Justicia, presentó documentos desclasificados del Negociado Federal de Investigaciones (FBI) que ubican a los exiliados cubanos Reynol Rodríguez González y Frank Eulalio Castro Paz en una conspiración para asesinar a Mari Brás.

Also see: Muere histórico líder independentista puertorriqueño Juan Mari Brás

                Juan Mari Bras Biography

Guyana Support to Indigenous Communities

Indigenous communities to receive US$8M from LCDS revenue this year


Michelle Gonsalves
Guyana Chronicle

Gala launch to Amerindian Heritage month 2010

GUYANA’S indigenous communities will receive US$8 million out of the US$30 million to be received from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) revenue this year, according to President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Speaking at the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month, at a ceremony hosted at the Amerindian Village, National Exhibition Centre in Sophia, the President said the funds will be used for village development. Citing transformative economic activities where young people can stay in the village and earn a decent living as well as food security, he said every village is currently working on their own plan according to a template sent out by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

Responding to gripes about the money not being properly spent, the President said the money will be budgeted and will have the strongest fiduciary safeguards that can be audited anywhere in the world.
President Bharrat Jagdeo receives a traditional Amerindian necklace upon his arrival at the launch of Amerindian Heritage month of activities yesterday.

He said it is important to the country and there is no room for pedantic approaches as the development of indigenous people will be at the forefront of the strategy. Referring to comments made by Chief of the Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP), Dr. George Norton, in a speech at the same event, the President said he agreed that all children, not only Amerindian children must have a proper perspective of the struggles of the indigenous peoples throughout the ages. However, he strongly disagreed with Norton’s views about “mendicancy syndrome”.

He said Amerindians are not mendicants, stating that he has great respect for Amerindians who can live in very difficult circumstances, contrasting them with some people on the Coast who will complain even when opportunities are easily available. Again disagreeing with Norton, President Jagdeo said we must subscribe to the philosophy of working together, instead of “who deh pon top”.

He said that even though some people would like that to continue, parties cannot continue to be built on race; barriers must be broken down and people must have the freedom to go into any party and any government that they wish. Calling out to young people he said “take your country over”.

He stressed that Guyana “belongs to us all, and all have an equal place in the land and are equal before the Constitution and, therefore, we must ensure that people have an opportunity to exercise this equality.” President Jagdeo noted that, unfortunately, for a long time, people who live in the hinterland never managed to experience that equality. He said that it is “unforgivable” that for decades in the post-independence period, intelligent children were “doomed” to have only a primary education, where it existed.

Jagdeo said that though the problem is not completely fixed, all children have access to primary education and secondary education has been expanded, noting that the government is now building a secondary school at Sand Creek – a hinterland community.  He also alluded to the fact that many Amerindians are even studying abroad. In this regards, President Jagdeo told the audience that he had, earlier in the day, attended a graduation ceremony where several Amerindian students were among the more than 90 persons that graduated.

Moving on to the issue of health care, President Jagdeo said the government is working to make drastic improvements to this area by providing more doctors rather than community health workers to serve Amerindian communities. He said that a part of the government’s strategy is to extend information communication to every home along Guyana’s coast.

Pledging 90 thousand computers to families along the coast, the president said it will be very hard to do that in Amerindian communities where homes are far apart and there often is not access to the internet, but over the next two years the government will work with villages, especially the large villages, to have a bank of computers so that there can be internet access for entire communities.

He said that this is also very important for “e-medicine”, which is an important part of improving the service as, if the distance is so great, information can be transmitted to health workers on the ground, in the absence of a doctor, to make better diagnoses. He said within three years, every Amerindian home in Guyana (some 10 thousand) will have a solar panel to supply electricity.

President Jagdeo also urged his listeners to continue viewing the LCDS as an opportunity for Guyana to create the elements of a market-based system through advocacy. He said rewards are in store for everyone, particularly indigenous communities, stressing that no indigenous community is required to contribute their land that they own and that they have absolute control over their land and will pledge land only if they wish to do so.

He said that even if they don’t give land, a significant amount of money earned from the strategy will go back to their communities, promising more opportunities to earn a living and have a better life without compromising cultural growth and cultural preservation.

President Jagdeo also expressed the hope that Guyanese will use the opportunity of the month long celebration to learn more about the contributions of Amerindians to Guyana’s national culture and join in the celebration.

Amerindian Heritage Month Celebrations were launched under the theme “Promoting Sustainable Livelihood and Cultural Heritage while transforming our Village Economies,” this year.

Cultural Impacts of Bonaire 'Integration' with Netherlands

Social Change Studied as Bonaire, Holland Move Closer

Newswise

Source: University of Alabama Huntsville

Change is coming to the tiny Caribbean island of Bonaire, and some of the approximately 14,000 people who live there are worried about what that change might bring. How will the largely Roman Catholic population cope with becoming part of Holland, with its liberal Dutch laws and attitudes?

"It's going to be weird," says Dr. Sandra Carpenter, a psychology professor at The University of Alabama in Huntsville who is studying the evolving self-image and social attitudes of Bonaire residents as the island becomes more Dutch. "I want to see which parts of their culture they hang onto and which will fall by the wayside as other things are adopted."

Bonaire's change starts Oct. 10 when the largely autonomous Dutch Antilles dissolve and both of the Antilles' more populous islands, Curacao and the Dutch half of St. Martin (Sint Maarten), join Aruba as independent nation members of the Kingdom of Holland (the Netherlands).

With less than 20,000 residents between Bonaire and two smaller islands, voters there decided that rather than try to stand alone they would seek closer ties with the Netherlands. On 10/10/10 the three islands become special municipalities of Holland (the Netherlands), although the details of how that will work are still being negotiated.

While political, legal and economic details of the transition are being negotiated, Carpenter's interest is the residents' attitudes and beliefs, and how those change as the Dutch presence on the island grows. She spent 13 weeks in 2009 surveying Bonaire residents to establish a research baseline.

"How do people think about things now?" she said. "They have very traditional types of values, very conservative. Historically they have been more collective and communal in their attitudes, although there are signs that they are becoming more individualistic. Some of the elders said the worst thing that has happened to Bonaire was cable TV."

She also surveyed 186 children in Bonaire schools, ages 10 to 17, giving them the "20 statements test." Each student completes the statement "I am ..." 20 times.

"A student might say, 'I am a brother, I am a son, I am a Christian' and so forth, so they can talk about relationships," Carpenter said. "It tells us about self-concept and priorities. As the island becomes more Dutch, the value systems will likely change across time and the things that have importance will change.

"I will go back next year to follow up," she said. "I plan to go back every couple of years to see if self-concept in the children has changed. This is a long-term study, so I can track across several years. I suspect that 10 years will be enough time to see some movement, at least in some aspects of what's going on there."

Some of the local attitudes might hinder Bonaire residents' attempts to benefit from the growing tourism industry: "The people there don't want to take 'slave jobs' in industry, such as housekeeping, which leaves fewer options," Carpenter said. "Some people refuse to do those jobs because of the historical perspective of slavery on the island."

Editor's Note: This is an interesting issue. Some clarifications are in order. Political change in Bonaire's constitutional status is in relation to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, not with Holland which is one of the three countries of the Kingdom at present. In October, there will be four countries in the Kingdom, namely Holland, Aruba, Sint Maarten and Curacao. OTR does not understand the reference to "slave jobs"  which would be considered offensive in most quarters...

Guam Legislation Would Support Indigenous Rights, Oppose Military Build-up

NEWS RELEASE


Vice Speaker of the 30th Legislature of Guahan Benjamin J.F. Cruz introduced Resolution 420-30 (LS) to Support the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Rights of Indigenous Chamorro People.

Vice Speaker Benjamin J.F. Cruz introduced Resolution 420-30 (LS) to support the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration is an international human rights document that recognizes the world’s indigenous peoples under international law. The Declaration is a significant tool toward eliminating human rights violations against over 370 million indigenous people worldwide.

Resolution 420-30 (LS) fully supports the rights of indigenous Chamorro people as the intended beneficiaries of the Declarations provisions. In light of the military buildup, Resolution 420-30 (LS) asserts the buildup’s effect is to imperil the selfdetermination rights of the Chamorro people, to reduce their voting power due to drastic colonial population increase, and reduce them to a minority in their ancestral homeland.

Resolution 420-30 (LS) states the adverse impacts of the military buildup from the possibility of land condemnation to the eradication of 70 acres of coral reef, the desecration of 3,500-year-old burial sites, and over-tapping of Guam’s water system.

In Resolution 420-30 (LS), Cruz supports H. Res. 1551 introduced by Representative Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, of American Samoa, to urge the United States to promote respect for the full application of the Declaration’s provisions. Resolution 420-30 (LS) calls upon President Obama to support H. Res. 1551, to sign the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and to halt a military buildup that may result in the ethnocide of the indigenous Chamorro people of Guam.

-30-

Also see:  Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus Addresses UN Human Rights Council

                 U.N. Indigenous Forum Adopts Decolonisation Agenda

                 Chamoru Summit stresses indigenous leadership  

Instituto Soberanista se Convierte en Nuevo Movimiento Politico

El Instituto Soberanista Puertorriqueño (ISP)


San Juan—El Instituto Soberanista Puertorriqueño (ISP) determinó hoy domingo crear un nuevo movimiento político para las elecciones de 2012, que sea un frente amplio de todos y todas los puertorriqueños y puertorriqueñas con un fin común y una propuesta económica, social y soberanista para resolver nuestra problemática actual y la de las futuras generaciones.

Así lo dio a conocer el cofundador del ISP, Ángel Collado Schwarz, quien dijo que la organización educativa avaló la opción de un movimiento donde convivan los creyentes en la soberanía, ya sea la opción política de la libre asociación o la independencia, en una organización a base de puntos de coincidencia y no en un partido político donde se delibere y se trace la línea política a seguir.

Socios fundadores del ISP y afiliados a la organización se dieron cita en el Teatro de la Escuela de Derecho de la Universidad Interamericana en Hato Rey durante la mañana de hoy domingo 29 de agosto de 2012 para celebrar el aniversario de la organización y escuchar las presentaciones de los representantes del Comité Ejecutivo sobre la trayectoria educativa y las vivencias de este primer año.

“Luego de compartir con los socios fundadores y los afiliados los resultados de la labor de concientización sobre la soberanía a través de la Isla, y según se acordó, hemos dado paso a una nueva iniciativa para llenar el vacío que existe en Puerto Rico que nos encamine hacia una manera diferente de resolver los problemas del país a corto y largo plazo”, dijo Collado Schwarz.

“Se trata de una nueva opción que logre aglutinar ciudadanos honestos, comprometidos con alcanzar la soberanía para crear un Puerto Rico próspero con justicia social”, declaró Collado Schwarz quien abundó que “esto surge del reclamo de las miles de personas que han asistido a las conferencias del Instituto, en más de 50 municipios del país, quienes han pedido que se tome acción para cambiar la situación colonial de Puerto Rico”.

“Alcanzar la soberanía es sólo el primer paso que nos otorga los poderes necesarios para la creación de un nuevo país con desarrollo económico, justicia social, y calidad de vida”, añadió Che Paralitici, otro de los fundadores del ISP.

Mayra Rivera, también cofundadora del ISP, comentó que “el Movimiento comenzará su fase inicial de organización aglutinando a los miembros que expresen deseo de afiliarse al mismo y a otros puertorriqueños y puertorriqueñas. Nadie se excluye.”

Liany Fernández, responsable de la página del ISP en Facebook, añadió que “el uso de la tecnología representa un instrumento poderoso para educar en cuanto a la necesidad de alcanzar la soberanía para conseguir los poderes requeridos para crear un nuevo Puerto Rico”.

Por su parte, Silverio Perez, cofundador de la organización, dijo que el compromiso con el ISP fue reunirse en agosto de 2010 y evaluar la labor educativa para determinar si se había cumplido con las metas trazadas y si había ambiente para convertirlo en un movimiento político.

Se determinó que el ISP sobrepasó sus expectativas educativas, impactando a cerca de 10,000 personas en 50 municipios en la costa, la montaña , los centros metropolitanos y centros estudiantiles. Agregó que se transmitieron algunas de las más de 120 presentaciones por la radio y por Internet y que se llevaron a cabo reuniones con varios sectores de la sociedad puertorriqueña, a saber: comunitario, cooperativista, sindical, artístico, estudiantil, empresarial y agrícola, entre otros.

Según lo acordado en la reunión, el ISP continuará la labor educativa llevando el mensaje soberanista a través de Puerto Rico en centros comunitarios, barriadas, universidades, plazas públicas y centros culturales, entre otros y maximizando la utilización de la tecnología.

El comité ejecutivo del ISP constituirá formalmente a un Comité Coordinador con miras a celebrar, en las próximas semanas, reuniones formales con las distintas personas que apoyan el Movimiento y anunciar formalmente, antes de finalizar el año, los planes para el 2012.

Finalmente se citó al “soberanista mayor”, Willie Miranda Marín: “Necesitamos hacer lo que haya que hacer, sin que consideraciones políticas cortoplacistas secuestren el compromiso de la gestión política que el país exige. Pensar en las nuevas generaciones y no cobardemente en las próximas elecciones”‘.

Island Countries Could Become Submerged Land

Marianas Variety

http://mvguam.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14005:the-urgent-islands&catid=19:editiorial&Itemid=30

The Urgent Islands

If a country sinks beneath the sea, is it still a country? That is a question about which the Republic of the Marshall Islands — a Micronesian nation of 29 low-lying coral atolls — is now seeking expert legal advice. It is also a question the United States Senate might ask itself the next time it refuses to deal with climate change.

According to the world’s leading scientists, sea-level rise is one of the greatest dangers of global warming, threatening not only islands but coastal cities like New Orleans and even entire countries like Bangladesh.

In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change conservatively predicted a 20-inch sea-level rise by the end of this century if current trends were not reversed.

Because of various uncertainties, its calculations excluded the melting of the Greenland and West Antarctica ice sheets.

Some academic studies have suggested that rises of four to seven feet are not out of the question.

Officials in the Marshall Islands — where a 20-inch rise would drown at least one atoll — are not only thinking about the possibility of having to move entire populations but are entertaining even more existential questions: If its people have to abandon the islands, what citizenship can they claim? Will the country still have a seat at the United Nations? Who owns its fishing rights and offshore mineral resources?

Marshall Islands leaders have asked Michael Gerrard, an expert on climate change law at Columbia University, to help them find answers to what he regards as plausible questions.

He further notes that an island can become uninhabitable before the sea level rises above it, because even moderate storms can swamp any agricultural land and render freshwater supplies undrinkable.

All of this reminds us of an astonishing remark last month by Senator Claire McCaskill, Democrat of Missouri. When asked why she saw no immediate need to pass a comprehensive energy and climate bill, she said, “You know, it took 50 years on health care.”

If only the earth could wait that long.

Restrictions on Puerto Rico-owned Airlines Condemned

US Federal Aviation Administration's “power abuse” denounced

by Inter News Wire Service

The National Independent Hostonian Movement denounced that the (U.S.) Federal Aviation Agency prohibited Vieques Air Link and Flamenco Air from transporting passengers to the municipality-islands of Vieques and Culebra. They allege that both airlines can only provide services for chartered flights.

NIHM co-president Héctor Pesquera, condemned this intervention as an “imperialist meddling, an attack against our citizen’s freedom to move between the municipality-islands and the main island. It is an abuse of power that demonstrates, once again, the negligence of Puerto Rico Governor) Fortuño’s government dealing with defending what is ours.” Pesquera informed that both “mortally wounded” airlines distributed layoff letters to more than 100 workers, who will now increase the unemployment rates.

He added that the FAA’s prohibition has the purpose of handing over the flight routes of both Puerto Rican airlines to Cape Air, a North American airline who offers regional services to the states of New England and New York, as well as to the Florida Keys, the Caribbean and Micronesia.

In addition, Pesquera said that Cape Air is already working in the Caribbean, transporting passengers from Puerto Rico to St. Thomas, St. Croix, Anguila and Tortola, and additionally offering transportation from San Juan, Ponce and Mayagüez to Vieques.

“It (Cape Air) just needs to move to Ceiba in order to begin flying the routes that, up to this day, had belonged to the Puerto Rican airlines,” he assured.

Flamenco Air and Vieques Air Link are purely Puerto Rican businesses that have been transporting passengers between the municipality-islands and the main islands for years. Vieques Air Link began operating in 1965 and was able to overcome the loss of its airplane fleet after Hurricane Hugo in 1989. In 2008, it started to use the José Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, which reduced to about seven or eight minutes the flying time from Vieques to the main island. On the other hand, Flamenco Air has been flying between Culebra, Vieques, the main island, the Lesser Antilles and the Dominican Republic since 1998.

According to the NIHM, the FAA’s determination will only serve to aggravate the transportation crisis suffered by residents from Vieques and Culebra, due to the deficiencies of the vessel services offered by the Department of Transportation and Public Works.

US Submits Report for Review by United Nations Human Rights Council

No reference to the fundamental human right of self-determination

The United States (U.S.) has submitted its 2010 report to the United Nations Human Rights Council in conformity with the requirements of the Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The report makes no reference to any activities in relation to one one of most fundamental of human rights - the right to  self-determination. According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights website:

"The UPR is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all 192 UN Member States once every four years. The UPR is a State-driven process, under the auspices of the Human Rights Council, which provides the opportunity for each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations. As one of the main features of the Council, the UPR is designed to ensure equal treatment for every country when their human rights situations are assessed.

The UPR was created through the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006 by (UN General Assembly) Resolution 60/251, which established the Human Rights Council itself. It is a cooperative process which, by 2011, will have reviewed the human rights records of every country. Currently, no other universal mechanism of this kind exists. The UPR is one of the key elements of the new Council which reminds States of their responsibility to fully respect and implement all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The ultimate aim of this new mechanism is to improve the human rights situation in all countries and address human rights violations wherever they occur."

The General Assembly has also adopted other resolutions with direct relevance to human rights which recognise self-determination as a fundamental human right. Acordingly, the UN adopts an annual resolution, most recently Resolution 64/104 of 10 December 2009, covering the non self-governing territories of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands. Resolution 64/104 reaffirm(ed) that:

 "In the process of decolonization, there is no alternative to the principle of self-determination,   which is also a fundamental human right, as recognized under the relevant human rights conventions."

The resolution also:

 "Reiterate(d) its request that the Human Rights Committee collaborate with the Special Committee, within the framework of its mandate on the right to self-determination as contained in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, with the aim of exchanging information, given that the Human Rights Committee is mandated to review the situation, including political and constitutional developments, in many of the Non-Self-Governing Territories that are within the purview of the (UN) Special Committee (on Decolonisation)."

The UN General Assembly has also adopted annual resolutions on the Implementation of the (Decolonisation) Declaration, most recently Resolution 64/106 of 10 December 2009 which:

  "Reaffirm(ed) once again that the existence of colonialism in any form or manifestation, including economic exploitation, is incompatible with the Charter of the United Nations, the (Decolonisation) Declaration (a universal human rights instrument) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights....

Reiterat(ed) its conviction of the need for the eradication of colonialism, as well as racial discrimination and violations of basic human rights."

 

The drafters of the U.S. report for 2010, however, did not make reference to any efforts during the period of review to promote the fundamental right of self-determination for the peoples of the non self-governing territories under US administration, pursuant to relevant U.N. resolutions, and consistent with the information which should be furnished to the Human Rights Council under the Universal Periodic Review. 
 
This is so even as the annex of the report includes the list of human rights treaties ratified by the U.S., including, inter alia, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forums of Racial Discrimination(CERD). It has signed (but not ratified) the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights  (ICESCR); and the American Convention on Human Rights. Article 1 of both the ICCPR and the ICESCR, include the following affirmation:
 

"All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development."

 
Perhaps the omission of reference to the fundamental human right of self-determination as related to the non self-governing territories will be addressed when the Human Rights Council considers the U.S. report in November 2010 - or is it that some human rights are more 'fundamental' than others? (Will an addendum to the report covering the self-determination process be issued before November)?
 
The areas presently covered by the report are as follows:

Report of the United States of America

Submitted to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights

In Conjunction with the Universal Periodic Review

I. Introduction
I.1 A more perfect union, a more perfect world 
I.2 The United States and the Universal Periodic Review: approach and methodology 

II. The United States and human rights: normative and institutional background
II.1 Human Rights as the ends of government and the means of progress
II.2 Enduring commitments

III. A commitment to freedom, equality, and dignity
III.1 Freedom of expression, religion, association, and political participation
III.2 Fairness and equality
III.3 Dignity

IV. A commitment to foster a society where citizens are empowered to exercise their rights
IV.1 Education
IV.2 Health
IV.3 Housing

V. A commitment to values in our engagement across borders
V.1 Values and National Security
V.2 Values and Immigration
V.3 Values and Trafficking

VI. Conclusion

The full report is available at:  http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/146379.pdf


Editor's Note: The most recent reference we could find to non self-governing territories in a U.S. report to a United Nations human rights body was contained in the 2007 Periodic Report of the United States of America to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination concerning the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). In the Land and People section, the U.S. indicated:

"Neither the land area nor the basic federal-state organization of the United States has changed since submission of the Initial U.S. Report in 2000. Nor has there been change in the relationship between the United States and the outlying areas under U.S. jurisdiction – Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and several very small islands (emphasis added)."

Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus Addresses UN Human Rights Council

Statement of the Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus
Expert Mechanism on Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Third Session
United Nations Human Rights Council

http://www.indigenousportal.com/


Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 3rd session
July 12 – 16, 2010, Geneva, Switzerland

Agenda Item 4, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Support for the 3rd UN Seminar on Treaties, Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements between States and Indigenous Peoples

Presented by Devasish Roy

The members of the Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus participating in the 3rd session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, representing all regions, note with appreciation the report presented here on the 2nd UN Seminar on Treaties Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements held in November 2006 in the territories of the Maskwacîs Cree in Alberta Canada.

In particular we want to express our support for its recommendation to hold to a 3rd United Nations Seminar on Treaties, Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements between States and Indigenous Peoples, with the support and cooperation of the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights. We note with appreciation the invitation of the Maori of Aotearoa (New Zealand) in this regard. In this way, important advances can continue to be made regarding implementation, consideration of developments and good practices, and implications of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the UN General Assembly. This includes the growing endorsement of the Declaration, including by UN member states that had voted against, or abstained from voting, during the adoption of the Declaration by the UN General Assembly.

The Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus takes this opportunity to affirm its support for the recommendations contained in the final report of UN Study on Treaties, Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements between States and Indigenous Populations [E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/20] by Special Rapporteur Dr. Miguel Alfonso Martinez. We look forward to continued work to advance their implementation in partnership with States and the UN system.

However, we also take this opportunity to state that we do not necessarily agree with certain provisions contained in the body of this report under the category of “Some Key Points of Departure”, in which the validity of the claims of ‘indigenousness’ by peoples within Asia and Africa were questioned. We again affirm the validity, soundness and relevance of the recommendations contained in this report. However, we wish to put on record the right to self-identify of the Indigenous Peoples of Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and all other regions. Equal application of the rights of indigenous peoples of all regions including Indigenous Peoples in Asia and Africa, is vital to take forward the process of implementing Treaties, Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements on a global level.

Important advances have taken place in the international arena since the completion of this report including the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the growing participation of Indigenous Peoples’ delegations, from Africa, Asia and other regions of the world in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and in other UN and international for a including as expert members.

The development of human rights law is progressive. This is an underlying principle of international human rights law, as is the universal application of such rights without any form of discrimination.

The Global Caucus affirms the importance of the continued work on the matter of Treaties, Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements for all Indigenous Peoples as well as for States and the UN System, based on the aforesaid Treaty Study but also looking forward in light of new developments and understandings.

We anticipate that the 3rd Seminar will be an important opportunity for all of us to advance this work. We look forward to discussing the provisions of the UN Declaration pertaining to implementation of Treaties, Agreements and other Constructive Arrangements. Also of particular interest for Indigenous Peoples of all regions will be discussions on the development of frameworks for negotiation, redress, restitution and conflict resolution, based on the affirmation in the Declaration’s preamble that “treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements, and the relationship they represent, are the basis for a strengthened partnership between indigenous peoples and States”.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.