Legislative Update - March 20, 2001

(Broadcast #339)



Tribal Leaders Invited to Participate In OAS Drafting Meeting - Guatemala Ambassador Ronalth Ochaet, Chair of the Working Group to Prepare the Proposed American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Populations, has extended an invitation to the member tribes of NCAI to participate in the Organization of American States (OAS) drafting session on the rights of indigenous populations April 2-6, 2001 in Washington, DC.

This drafting session, organized by the Working Group to Prepare the Proposed American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Populations, is intended to have indigenous peoples of the hemisphere continue discussions on the content of the proposed declaration.

The drafting session will be held at the OAS, located at 17th and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006. An agenda will be forthcoming.

Background : In 1989, the OAS General Assembly requested that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights prepare a draft declaration on the rights of indigenous populations. The draft was completed in 1997 and presented to the Permanent Council. The OAS General Assembly expressed that the text should include the opinions of the member states and specialized organizations. In 1999, the OAS General Assembly established the working group of the Permanent Council to continue the consideration of the proposed declaration. The OAS General Assembly then passed resolution AG/RES.1708(XXX-O/00) allowing the Working Group to consider the proposed declaration and host the April drafting session. If you are interested in attending or for additional information, please R.S.V.P to Victoria Wright at (202) 466-7767 or e-mail at Victoria_Wright@ncai.org. Please note, hotel and travel arrangements are the responsibility of the tribal leader.

For further information, contact NCAI at (202) 466-7767.