APNQL in the UN to demand respect for the rights of indigenous peoples

A delegation from the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (APNQL) went on Sunday in Geneva. For example, Switzerland, in order to put pressure on Quebec and Ottawa for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Aboriginal Peoples (DNUDPA).

It’s time to take this steplaunched the chief Francis Verreault-Paul from the start of the interview. Furthermore, Quebec should adopt this declaration which defines. Meanwhile, protects the rights of indigenous peoples around the world as soon as possible, he pleads.

If Canada has adopted it fully in 2016, it must still implement it, adds Mr. For example, Verreault-Paul.

With representatives of Innu communities. Similarly, Anishinabeg, he will take part in a session of the United Nations expert mechanism on the rights of Aboriginal peoples until Friday. Similarly,

We must play our apnql un demand respect rights diplomatic role at regional, national and international levelsexplains the chief of theAPNQL. The trip to Geneva aims to ensure the advancement of the implementation of Floorwhatever the order of government.

Representatives have, among other things, weave links with other indigenous peoples of the world. The advances and good practices that are done elsewhere can inspire usbelieves Francis Verreault-Paul.

They also have bilateral meetings with member states at the agenda, notably Canada.

C-5. 97 on the agenda

The declaration lists a series of rights of indigenous peoples as well as measures to be taken to protect them. By adopting apnql un demand respect rights it, a state, a province or a city undertakes to respect and protect them.

The news of the past few weeks has proven that Ottawa. Quebec still have a long way to go so that these rights are fully and fully recognized, estimates Francis Verreault-Paul.

Concepts of consultation. cooperation and consent given freely and knowinglywhich return several times in the Floorhave not been taken into account, he believes.

The chief evokes in particular the flash adoption of the controversial bill C-5. on projects of national interest, by the Carney government.

Only two days were provided for the study of this bill. which allows projects of national interest to overcome certain laws, including the Indian Act. Only one indigenous representative was invited to apnql un demand respect rights testify.

States consult the Aboriginal peoples concerned and cooperate with them in good faith […] In order to obtain their consent. given freely and knowingly, before the approval of any project having implications on their lands or territories and other resourcesnevertheless prescribed the Floor.

The consultation provided for in the Floorit is not fair to speak with an upstream group. in the end, not to take it into account when developing a billestimates Francis Verreault-Paul.

The stake is similar in the case of Bill 97. which aims to reform the Quebec forest regime and which is a apnql un demand respect rights big concern For the indigenous peoples of the province. Hereditary leaders. territory guards denounce to have been dismissed from consultations on this project, which directly affects their ancestral territory.

All bills have impacts on our territories, on our rights and on our culturesrecalls the chief of theAPNQL.

Representatives of theAPNQL will bring these topical elements to the United Nations Office, he assures.

Francis Verreault-Paul indicates that this trip is part of a broader diplomatic approach to the UN.

In the spring, a delegation went to the UN headquarters in New York with the same goal.

The representatives had also made a shine by challenging the governments of Canada and Quebec on a giant screen of Times Square, in order to attract the attention of the international scene to the issue.