Reporting on Conflict | Media Watch Blog

• News source:
• 1 March 2010
• Amnesty International
• full report (pdf)
• By press release

As the world focuses on the country this year there are unparalleled opportunities for Canada to be a human rights leader, says Amnesty International Canada. The Winter Olympics and Paralympics have captured the world’s attention. And Canada will be again on the world stage as the host to the world’s most powerful countries at the G8 and G20 meetings in June.

“A new vision for politics, economic, security and humanitarianism of global affairs can emerge with decisive leadership,” notes Alex Neve Secretary General of the English branch of Amnesty International Canada. “But to be that champion Canada must reverse the erosion of its own reputation for human rights leadership.”

In a document released today, Canada and Human Rights in 2010: Time to Return to Leadership, Amnesty International Canada outlines how the government should address human rights protection in a number of areas and champion this “new vision”.

Amnesty International welcomed the government’s announcement that the issue of maternal and child health will be a priority at the G8 Summit in June. It is critically important that the tragically high rates of maternal mortality around the world be addressed. Recent reports from Amnesty International have documented how many women die while giving birth in countries like Burkino Faso, Peru and Sierra Leone.

“The solutions to the tragedy of maternal mortality are not simply matters of health policy and economics”, says Beatrice Vaugrante, Director general of the francophone branch of Amnesty International Canada. “They are rooted in discrimination, inequality and violence against women and girls. That is why a human rights approach must be adopted by the G8 summit.”

At the June G20 Summit of the world’s leading economic powers, following the G8 meeting, Canada, should seek agreement to develop standards for business and human rights that are critical to closing the regulatory and accountability gaps within the global and national economies. It is a crucial time for action as countries struggle to recover from the dramatic downturn while one billion people worldwide still live in extreme poverty.

Amnesty International Canada, as part of a broad coalition of organizations, is calling on the government to ensure that poverty eradication, economic recovery for all and environmental justice is at the centre of the Summit agendas, grounded in human rights standards.

“International leadership at the Summits must be matched by efforts to arrest the erosion of human rights protection within Canada”, says Neve. “Canada is only credible internationally if it has a consistent approach nationally.”

The Amnesty International Canada human rights agenda highlights a number of areas where Canada has failed to take the lead. Commitment to the rights of Indigenous peoples has been weakened by the failure to support the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. That position must be reversed. The discriminatory levels of funding for First Nations child protection agencies must be ended. And a comprehensive national action plan to address violence against Indigenous women is needed.

• News source:
• press release dated 23 February 2010
• CNW
• By press release | British Columbia All Chiefs' Task Force

COAST SALISH TERRITORY, BC – The BC All Chiefs’ Task Force has launched a campaign challenging the Federal Government to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Canadians are being asked to forward a letter expressing their concern about Canada’s refusal to sign the Declaration.

• News source:
• 1 March 2010
• CNW Telbec
• By press release | Rio Tinto Alcan

MONTREAL – Rio Tinto Alcan’s landmark agreement in principle with the Haisla Nation in support of its Primary Metal operations in British Columbia was officially ratified by the Haisla Nation membership…

The Haisla Nation-Rio Tinto Alcan Legacy Agreement establishes a formal framework for the two organisations to work together for the next 30 years to maximise the opportunities and benefits of aluminium operations in Kitimat. The agreement, announced in January, was subject to a six-week Haisla Nation ratification process.

• News source:
• 24 February 2010
• Rabble.ca
• By Martin Lukacs

The opening ceremonies at the Vancouver Winter Olympiad were flush with aboriginal motifs: hundreds of costumed indigenous dancers, giant illuminated Salish house poles, and the broad smiles of representatives from the “Four Host First Nations.”

It was a perfectly choreographed display of Canada’s multicultural grace for an international audience. Ever sensitive about their reputation as a land of the fair minded, Canada’s Olympic planners have gone to lengths to showcase the nation’s respect for aboriginals. They made an Inuit design the official logo. They ran the torch-relay through scores of reservations. They bought the support and participation of local First Nations with a few million in bonds, business ventures and gleaming buildings. An absolute bargain, if this aboriginal gilding can blind Canadians and the world to the country’s secret shame: the true state of its indigenous peoples.

• News source:
• originally published 2 February 2010
• Independent Catholic News

As the acclaimed 3D film ‘Avatar’ was today nominated for an Oscar in the Best Film category, tribal peoples around the world have claimed the film tells the real story of their lives today…

• News source:
• originally published 3 February 2010
• Indigenous Portal
• By UCTP Taino News

Havana, Cuba, (UCTP Taino News)—One of Cuba’s most prominent diplomats died Monday morning due to serious illness. Dr. Michael J. Alfonso Martinez, age 74, was an outstanding diplomat, lawyer and academic with broad experience in the service of the Cuba People and Human Rights.

As a diplomat he held various positions in the Cuban Foreign Service. He was Foreign Ministry spokesman between 1994 and 1997 and as an expert in Human Rights he represented the Government of Cuba in numerous meetings and conferences, mainly within the UN system.

Well-known to Indigenous Peoples around the world, Martinez served as UN Special Rapporteur for the Study on Treaties, Agreements and Constructive Arrangements between States and Indigenous Peoples, as former member and Chair of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations, and as First Chairman of the Advisory Committee to the UN Human Rights Council.

• News source:
• CoRe Clinic, UBC

2010 CoRe Clinic Speaker Series
Singleton Urquhart LLP, sponsors and host of the CoRe Speaker Series located at
1200 – 925 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC

Vicki Trerise
“Disputes Between the Canadian Polity and Aboriginal Peoples: Is Neutrality Possible?”
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 – Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Nancy Cameron Q.C.
“Litigation, Dispute Resolution and the Brain: What do These Have to do with One Another, and with us as Practitioners?”
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 – Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Christine Mingie
“Online Dispute Resolution – A Quiet Revolution in Justice?”
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 – Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Sharon Sutherland and Carrie Gallant
“Improvisation and Mediation”
Wednesday, May 12, 2010 – Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

• News source:

Equitas – International Centre for Human Rights Education is pleased to announce the first recipient of the annual Equitas Award for Human Rights Education, Phil Fontaine. The award, which recognizes and celebrates exceptional contributions made in the field of human rights education, will be presented on March 18, 2010… in Montreal. The award recognizes Mr. Fontaine’s record of achievement in raising awareness concerning the importance of human rights to the lives of all Canadians. His work has transformed attitudes and reinforced human rights values within Canada’s Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities.

• News source:
• 20 February 2010
• Rabble.ca
• By Mara Kardas-Nelson

Hundreds gathered outside the Vancouver Art Gallery today to call upon all levels of government to implement and support a national housing strategy.

Signs that said “The People Say: Build Homes Now!,” “Homes Not Games,” and “End Poverty. It’s Not a Game” lined the steps of the Gallery as advocates spoke of the need for greater federal involvement in ensuring increased access to safe and affordable housing nationwide.

The “Right to the City: Rally for a national housing program” action was organized by the Impact on Communities Coalition (IOCC) and supported by politicians, faith-based organizations, Downtown Eastside (DTES) groups, and other activists and advocates.

The rally came hours after Pivot Legal Society held a “Homes for All solidarity sleepover” outside of Science World.

• News source:
• 12 February 2010
• NPR
• By Martin Kaste

Organizers of this year’s Winter Olympics have made a big deal about including Canada’s Indians, or natives, as they’re called there, in preparations for the games. The four native bands closest to Vancouver and Whistler are official co-hosts, and native art is the basis for a lot of this year’s Olympic merchandizing.

But some native people aren’t so happy about the partnership…

• News source:
• 10 February 2010
• The Province
• By Suzanne Fournier

The sparkling, stainless-steel panels of the Olympic “truce wall” carved by acclaimed First Nations artist Corinne Hunt will be auctioned off after the Olympics to benefit Haitian relief…

Governor-General Michaelle Jean, who was born in Haiti and still has family in the earthquake-stricken country, was deeply moved by the decision, made apparently just before Tuesday morning’s ceremony.

“Building peace does not mean simply laying down our weapons,” said Jean, speaking at the unveiling in Vancouver of the two truce walls, one with the orca crest Hunt designed for the Olympic athletes’ medals and the other for the Paralympics, sporting a stylized raven crest.

“It means taking one step closer to others, to respect their dignity, identity and integrity and to sympathize with their pain, around us, at home and abroad,” said Jean…

• News source:

Redistribution of Wealth: Economic and Environmental Justice from Indigenous and Faith Perspectives March 5-7
Maritime Labour Centre, Vancouver, Coastal Salish Territory

This interdisciplinary conference brings together scholars and activists, both secular and faith-based, who are exploring alternatives to neo-liberal capitalism either grounded in sacred cosmologies and/or incorporating values that prioritize and link redistribution of wealth with respectful relationships with land.
Keynote speakers are:

Friday night

• gid7ahl gudsllaay, Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson (Haida Gwaii), General Counsel for the Haida Nation and founder of EAGLE (Environmental-Aboriginal Guardianship through Law and Education);
• Mritiunjoy Mohanty (India), Indian economist who teaches at the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, Kolkata ;

Saturday:

• Pablo Solón (Bolivia), Bolivia’s Ambassador to the UN.

Other speakers and resource people include:
Rauna Kuokkanen (Samiland/Canada); David R. Loy (United States); John Parker (United States); ; T’Uy’Tanat-Cease Wyss (Skwxw’u7mesh Nation) as well as Na’cha’uaht/Kam/ayaam – Cliff Atleo, Jr.; Stephen Aberle; Azhar Syed; Clifford Azack (Nisga’a Nation); Dolores Chew and Larry Grant (Musqueam Nation).

The conference program can be viewed here:

http://interfaithjustpeace.org/program_2010_specific.php

Register now and consider subsidizing someone else. Cost $35- $100 sliding scale. Half-day rates available. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Registration forms are at:
PDF format:http://interfaithjustpeace.org/pdf/2010/2010_registration_form.pdf
MS Word: http://interfaithjustpeace.org/pdf/2010/2010_registration_form.doc

Interfaith Summer Institute for Justice, Peace and Social Movements
Institute for the Humanities
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby B.C.V5A 1S6
Canada
interf [at] sfu.ca
www.interfaithjustpeace.org

• News source:
• 10 February 2010
• Chronical Journal
• By KRIS KETONEN

A new document aims to stave off conflicts between First Nations and mining companies looking to start operations on band territories.

• News source:
• 9 February 2010
• CBC

Inuit languages — and how to preserve them in a culture increasingly dominated by English — are the focus of a Nunavut summit this week drawing experts from several circumpolar nations.

• News source:
• abstract added 8 February 2010
• Abstract on Zunia
• By The Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI)

This report … describes indigenous forest peoples in Africa from an anthropological point of view [and] highlights both historical principles of international law that have affected the situation of indigenous peoples and contemporary human rights standards…

• News source:
• 4 February 2010
• WITNESS
• Evidentiary Submission to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, 2006

On February 4, 2010, in a landmark decision, the African Union adopted the decision by the African Commission on Human and People’s RIghts (ACHPR), which found the Kenyan government guilty of violating the rights of the country’s indigenous Endorois community, by evicting them from their lands to make way for a wildlife reserve. The commission ruled, in May 2009, that the Endorois’ eviction from their traditional land for tourism development violated their human rights. The decision creates a major legal precedent by recognizing, for the first time in Africa, indigenous peoples’ rights over traditionally owned land and their right to development.Victory for Indigenous People’s Rights in Kenya

• News source:
• 4 February 2010
• Reuters AlertNet blog
• By Human Rights Watch

New York – A ruling by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights condemning the expulsion of the Endorois people from their land in Kenya is a major victory for indigenous peoples across Africa, Human Rights Watch, WITNESS, and the Endorois’ lawyers said today. The Commission ruled on February 4, 2010 that the Endorois’ eviction from their traditional land for tourism development violated their human rights.

The Kenyan government evicted the Endorois people, a traditional pastoralist community, from their homes at Lake Bogoria in central Kenya in the 1970s, to make way for a national reserve and tourist facilities. In the first ruling of an international tribunal to find a violation of the right to development, the Commission found that this eviction, with minimal compensation, violated the Endorois’ right as an indigenous people to property, health, culture, religion, and natural resources. It ordered Kenya to restore the Endorois to their historic land and to compensate them. It is the first ruling to determine who are indigenous peoples in Africa, and what are their rights to land. The case was brought on behalf of the Endorois by CEMIRIDE and Minority Rights Group International.

• News source:
• review published 23 January 2010
• Times Colonits
• By Adrian Chamberlain

The Belfry Theatre offers one of its most powerful productions in years with Where the Blood Mixes, a moving and personal examination of the residential school legacy.

Penned by First Nations playwright Kevin Loring, this amalgam of comedy and drama grapples with the devastation caused by Canada’s notorious residential school program. For years, children were pulled from their families and confined within prison-like institutions. Youngsters were beaten, sexually molested and cruelly kept from their parents — who sometimes lived within sight of the schools. This abuse, an example of ethnocentrism gone mad, is one of the darkest chapters in our country’s history. The schools were closed in the 1960s.

Loring has won a Governor General’s Award for Where the Blood Mixes which, remarkably, is his first full-length play. With this 90-minute piece, he enters an arena fraught with peril — artistically as well as politically. Loring’s ethnicity gives him licence not permitted to others. Nonetheless, it is highly difficult to navigate such hot-button history, especially as the wounds are so fresh.

Achieving the right balance is tricky. Yet Loring, director Glynis Leyshon and a talented cast of mostly aboriginal actors nailed it Thursday night. This is a socially conscious show that fires on all cylinders — a rare thing. It is important, redemptive theatre that makes us laugh and weep.

• News source:
• 4 February 2010
• The Gazette
• By Peter O'Neil, Europe Correspondent, Canwest News Service

Canadian lawyer Cynthia Morel, who was born in Sept Iles, Quebec, grew up in Fredericton and studied at the University of Ottawa, is involved in some potential landmark international law cases in defence of minority rights around the world.

Africa’s top human rights body, relying partly on a Canadian precedent, issued a landmark ruling Thursday in favour of an indigenous group that has been fighting for justice since the Kenyan government forced them off their land in the 1970s to create a tourist-drawing game reserve.

The decision by the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights establishes two key international law precedents, according to the London-based Canadian lawyer who argued on behalf of the impoverished Endorois community.

• News source:
• 21 January 2010
• Human Rights Now | Amnesty International Weblog

The United Nation’s first report on The State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples [.pdf], released on January 14, 2010, contains figures and an assessment that are both shocking and illuminating, even to those who are familiar with indigenous rights issues. The report evaluates the state of indigenous populations in specific countries and situations, in both the developed and developing world.