Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP)
1st Session, 1-3 October 2008
United Nations Office, Geneva
Statement by Prajnalankar Bhikkhu, Peace Campaign Group
Agenda Item: 4 – Study on Lessons learned and Challenges to achieve the Implementation of the Right of Indigenous Peoples to Education
Mr. Chairperson, thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on the agenda item 4.
Mr. Chairperson, in many countries, the idea of 'right to education' is not a new one. I think states have done a lot in terms of formulation and implementation of policy, programs, and funds for
realization of this right, and international bodies, like the EMRIP, do not require calling upon states to do more for it. But the right deserves to be addressed with utmost care when we attach it with indigenous peoples. We have to bear in mind that indigenous peoples are different from the mainstreams. They are a distinct identity and culture. In order to promote and protect this distinctiveness states require taking special legislative, administrative and budgetary
measures to ensure that indigenous peoples have the scope to learn in their own mother tongue in local and national educational institutes. UN agencies, like UNESCO, may provide technical and financial support to indigenous educational institutes in this respect.
We have to keep it in mind that right to education is not isolated from other rights of the indigenous peoples. This right cannot be realized without recognition of indigenous peoples as "indigenous peoples". Expert Mechanism may advise the Human Rights Council to call upon States to ratify and implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
While I recognize the importance of education in promoting and protecting the rights of the indigenous peoples, I think Expert Mechanism should prioritize pressing concerns of indigenous peoples such as Human Rights, because there are states like Bangladesh where indigenous peoples do not even enjoy the fundamental rights and freedoms and become victims of daily human rights violations. These concerns demand immediate action on the part of the Human Right Council, and the Expert Mechanism should bring this kind of situation to the attention of the Human Right Council.
Thank you, Mr. Chairperson, for your kind attention. =============================================== Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
1st Session 1-3 Oct 2008, Geneva
Statement by: Prajnalankar Bhikkhu, Peace Campaign Group
Mr. Chairperson,
I on behalf of our organization, Peace Campaign Group, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you and your colleagues on being elected as members of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Dear Govt. delegates, and indigenous sisters and brothers.
Mr. Chairman, In the process of reforms in the UN system, one of the instruments on the rights of indigenous peoples emerged is the Expert Mechanism. This instrument is a big achievement for IPs and is of great importance in terms of promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples.
As an indigenous person and activist you have the direct experience with difficult situation of many indigenous peoples around the world.
So I trust that your leadership and expertise and experience will effectively able to address the human rights violations indigenous peoples confront in their countries. While I recognize the importance of education in promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples, I think Expert Mechanism should prioritize pressing concerns such as human rights, because there are states like Bangladesh where indigenous peoples do not even enjoy the fundamental rights and freedoms and become victims of daily human rights violations. These concerns demand immediate action on the part of the HRC. And the Expert Mechanism should draw the
attention of the HRC to this type of situation.
Mr. Chairman, few years ago we did not have any idea about IPs and their rights. Today we have a Declaration and other instruments on their rights. Expert Mechanism through HRC should ask states to ratify and respect the Declaration and other instruments. Because, in the present international system, it is the state's political will that matters much in implementing these instruments.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, I think UPR is an excellent instrument. EMRIP must exercise its influence over this process to make the state under this process more accountable to the HRC. Because it's a moment when you can put pressure on the state concerned.
Thank you for your kind attention.
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