Indigenous Expose Racism and Genocide at U.N. -- Governments Rush to Deny Abuses and Insult Presenters

Rachana Sam At on behalf of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Caucus points out that Indigenous Peoples can not participate in this process unless approved by a non-governmental organization, and this must change for there to be enhanced participation. Photo AIPC.

Indigenous Expose Racism and Genocide at U.N. -- Governments Rush to Deny Abuses and Insult Presenters

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, July 14, 2024

GENEVA -- Indigenous youths spoke with courage and eloquence, calling out the environmental racism and genocide carried out by governments around the world. In response, government representatives rushed to deny the human rights abuses, and in some cases, used insulting language to criticize Indigenous Peoples who exposed their abuses, during the U.N. Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The representative of France denied the government is responsible for genocide in New Caledonia. Azerbaijan denied responsibility for genocide in Armenia and used derogatory accusations, describing speakers as frauds and part of a "smear campaign." 

The United States government failed to describe the ongoing seizure of Native ancestral lands for lithium and copper mines, and fake green energy projects targeting ceremonial places.

The Russian Federation government criticized speakers on Thursday. Responding to speakers statements, he said their status needs to be examined. He claimed some had lost touch with their communities, and some were funded by former colonial powers. He also said one organization presenting a statement was not recognized in Russia.

"We need to exclude the participation of chauvinists and racists," the Russian Federation government representative said.

Indigenous Women: Land Defenders, Water Carriers, Life Givers, Assert Rights at United Nations

Indigenous in Chile battling transnational companies told the U.N. that the environmental impact statements are paid for by the companies who become the judge and jury of the outcome.
Screenshot by Censored News

Krystal Brant, Mohawk, Ontario Native Women's Association speaking at U.N.

Indigenous Women: Land Defenders, Water Carriers, Life Givers, Assert Rights at United Nations

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, July 11, 2024

Updated July 13, 2024

GENEVA -- Indigenous women spoke of their ancestral languages woven into their  relationship with the land, and as caretakers of biodiversity, from the deserts of the Sahara to Canada and the Amazon.

Speaking out against oppression and genocide from Armenia and Vietnam to the Americas, where they are celebrated as "folklore," while being violently oppressed, Indigenous women urged new measures to ensure justice for land defenders, murdered and missing Indigenous women, and increased efforts to protect medicine plants from exploitation, during the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Leonard Peltier's Message Read at Conclusion of United Nations Session in Geneva

Leonard Peltier's message was read before closing prayers at the U.N. Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples this morning in Geneva. Screenshot by Censored News.

"Our brother Leonard Peltier is one of the many victims of a covert war waged by governments against the American Indian Movement, the AIM, and its supporters," Mario Agreda Uzeda said before reading Peltier's message, adding that Peltier is in prison for a crime that he did not commit. "For as long as Leonard Peltier is in prison, we all are." Agreda said a campaign for freedom for Leonard Peltier is beginning in Spain. 

Leonard Peltier's Words Conclude United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Geneva

'No one can break the Spirit of a Sundancer'

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, July 12, 2024

French translation by Christine Prat

GENEVA -- The words of Leonard Peltier concluded the U.N. Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples week-long session in Geneva this morning.

"I could not foresee that fifty years later that I would be entombed in a lock-down nightmare. I was chosen to be the sacrifice to cover up the crimes committed against our people," Peltier said in a message to the United Nations session.

United Nations: Australian Aboriginal children seized, 'green energy' impacts worsen for Saami

Systematic racism in Australia means that Aboriginal children are being seized from their families, children that are later the victims of a system that results in high rates of child incarceration in Australia's prisons, a representative told the U.N. Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples this morning. Screenshot by Censored News.

United Nations: Australian Aboriginal children seized, 'green energy' impacts worsen for Saami 

Brenda Norrell, Censored News, July 9, 2024

GENEVA -- Australian Aboriginal children continue to be seized from their families by the government, and the situation for Saami in Norway is worsening because of 'green energy' projects, Indigenous representatives told the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples today.

Both Norway and Australia had country engagements with the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples during the past year, but Australian Aboriginal and Saami representatives said today that conditions are not improving.

Urgent Plea from Guatemala