From pdh@u.washington.edu Wed Jan 4 03:55:01 PST 1995 >From pdh@u.washington.edu Wed Jan 4 03:55:00 1995 Return-Path: Received: from stein3.u.washington.edu by lists.u.washington.edu (5.65+UW94.10/UW-NDC Revision: 2.32 ) id AA25456; Wed, 4 Jan 95 03:55:00 -0800 Received: by stein3.u.washington.edu (5.65+UW94.10/UW-NDC Revision: 2.32 ) id AA21405; Wed, 4 Jan 95 03:54:59 -0800 X-Sender: pdh@stein3.u.washington.edu Date: Wed, 4 Jan 1995 03:54:59 -0800 (PST) From: Preston Hardison To: indknow@u.washington.edu Subject: CBD COP1:Rights of Indigenous Peoples Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII The following message comes from the biodiversity conference on EcoNet. For more information on Econet, PeaceNet or the Institute for Global Communication, send a blank e-mail message to: econet-info@igc.apc.org, peacenet-info@igc.apc.org, or igc-info@igc.apc.org. Written 3:44 PM Dec 30, 1994 by jacses in igc:biodiversity CAUCUS OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' PREPARATORY COMMITTEE Recommendations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples November 30 1994 The Caucus of the Indigenous Peoples' Preparatory Committee present at COP/1 urge the Contracting Parties to reorganise the medium term programme of work (Agenda Item 9; UNEP/CBD/COP/1/13) to include the rights of indigenous peoples within the CBD (Article 8(j)) along with related issues scheduled for 1995. In particular we call for the implementation of Article 8(j) to be considered as a matter of urgency in 1995, prior to discussing access to genetic resources (UNEP/CBD/COP/1/13, paragraph 15c). The rights of indigenous peoples must be defined and the relationship between Article 8(j) and other articles within the Convention, in particular access to genetic resources (Article 15) and exchange of information (Article 17), be established. To discuss access to genetic resources, without first dealing with Article 8(j), will perpetuate the abuse of Indigenous Peoples' biocultural resources. Issues such as access to genetic resources, information on indigenous knowledge, benefit sharing, are inextricably linked with the rights of Indigenous Peoples and discussion must follow a logical and clear sequence. Thus we urge the COP to: i Include knowledge and practices of Indigenous Peoples, currently scheduled for 1997 (UNEP/CBD/COP/1/13, paragraph 17 (c)) in the medium term programme for 1995. It is impossible to consider access to genetic resources before considering the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Recommendations of the CBD's Interim Secretariat and of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Meeting of Scientific Experts on Biological Diversity (UNEP/CBD/COP/1/16 Annex VII), that regional consultation workshops be held with Indigenous Peoples, should be implemented. ii Connect the issue of 'knowledge and practices of indigenous and other local communities' (UNEP/CBD/COP/1/13 paragraph 17c) with 'farmers' rights and rights of similar groups' (paragraph 15(c) and (I)). We recommend that this issue should be dealt with in keeping with the obligations under Article 8(j) of the Convention. iii Include the question of intellectual property rights to the extent that they are related to Article 8(j). The current IPR systems do not protect Indigenous Peoples' rights; are alien to their perspectives and beliefs; and are contrary to many of the objectives of the Convention. iv Establish an effective mechanism to provide input in to and information on the renogotiation of the FAO's Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources such that the FAO agreement is consistent with the terms and objectives of the CBD, particularly with reference to Article 8(j). Caucus of the Indigenous Peoples' Preparatory Committee Members: Apikan Indigenous Network Indigenous Peoples' Biodiversity Network International Indian Treaty Council Maori Congress United Nations Environment and Development UK Committee .