UN Expert Mechanism On the Rights of Indigenous Peoples & Aram-Naharaim

The first meeting of the newly established United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was held on Wednesday 1 – Friday 3 October 2008. The Expert Mechanism is the successor of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, which was established in 1982 and lasted until 2006.

The Aramans of Aram-Naharaim Organization attended the meeting, and recently reported on this issue, publishing a feature in their website.

As more peoples from allover the world have to be present in this instance of the international body, I publish the enlightening report which must be read very attentively by activists originating from various subjugated nations, as it heralds a greater international commitment to their Cause.

In fact, representatives and NGOs from all the oppressed peoples, all those who have not yet enjoyed the benefits of the national independence, must be present in this great tribune.

In addition, I re-publish two speeches given by Gabriel Sengo, the President of the Arameans of Aram-Naharaim Foundation, in earlier meetings of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, as they do not only elucidate issues pertaining to the multi-persecuted Aramaeans but also demonstrate possibilities of debate offered by the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Aram-Naharaim attends the first meeting of the newly established UN Expert Mechanism On the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

http://www.aramnahrin.org/English/Indigenous_2008.htm

On Wednesday 1- Friday 3 October 2008 Aramans of Aram-Naharaim Organization attended the first meeting of the newly established United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Expert Mechanism reports to the UN Human Rights Council.

The Expert Mechanism is the successor of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations. The Working on Indigenous Populations was established in 1982 and lasted until 2006. In 2006 the last meeting took place during which Aram-Naharaim made three statements. The preceding years were also used by Aram-Naharaim to bring the Aramean issue under the international attention.

The result of 26 years of the Working Group on the Indigenous Populations was:

1. The voice of Indigenous Peoples within the UN system gained more attention and was also taken more serious.

2. The Indigenous peoples worldwide expressed themselves, on the annual of the working group, on various issues related tot their situation in the great framework system of the UN Human Rights; something which was extensively used by indigenous peoples.

3. In 2007 a milestone has been achieved by the indigenous peoples, because the General Assembly of United Nations at its 61st session under resolution number 61/295 adapted the "United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples" (see online document: http://www.un-documents.net/a61r295.htm)

4. The adapted UN declaration shall serve as a guideline in relation to the situation of the rights of indigenous peoples, among them the Arameans of Aram-Naharaim.

Between 2006 and 2008 extensive consultation and negotiations took place between indigenous organizations, governments and UN bodies on the establishment of the successor of the working group on the indigenous populations. This resulted finally in the resolution of the Human Rights Council of 14 December 2007 in which the successor of the Working Group on the Indigenous Populations was established and named: Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In resolution 6/36 of the UN Human Rights Council the goal and the task of Expert Mechanism is set out.

The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is merely a study/ advisory group in relation to broad range of the rights of indigenous peoples as explained in the recently adapted "United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples". The Arameans of Aram-Naharaim organization has proven, in the past and recently, to have substantial expertise in relation to the indigenous questions, in particular focused on the situation of the Arameans of Aram-Naharaim. In addition, Aram-Naharaim clearly demonstrated to be a full partner in the international arena dealing with the issues pertaining to the Aramean nation.

All members are of indigenous origin

The members of the working group on the indigenous populations were composed of representatives of the various world continents; they reflected the demographic parts of the world. The fife expert members of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples conversely are of indigenous origin. The members of the Expert Mechanism are appointed by the Chairman of Human Rights Council for the period of 2008-2010, namely:

Ms. Catherine Odimba Kombe (Congo)
Ms. Jannie Lasimbang ( Malaysia)
Mr. John Bernhard Henriksen ( Noowegen)
Mr. José Carlos Morales Morales (Costa Rica)
Mr. José Mencio Molintas ( Philippines)

The first meeting of the Expert Mechanism lasted three days. The next and following years the meeting of the Expert Mechanism will last for fife days. The first meeting of this important UN body on indigenous peoples was also attended by Aram-Naharaim Organization. Our organization welcomes the establishment of the Expert Mechanism and we are looking forward in the coming time to working with and to provide ideas /suggestions to be considered on the situation of indigenous peoples in general and the Arameans of Aram-Naharaim in particular.

The Cradle of Civilization Aram-Nahrin (Iraq) is burning and crying: How to solve the conflict?
By Gabriel Sengo – President of the Arameans of Aram-Naharaim Foundation

http://www.iraqichristians.org/English/Indigenous_2006_Iraq.htm

Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

Commission on Human Rights

Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

Working Group on the Indigenous Populations - 24th session

Geneva, Switzerland: 31 July – 4 August 2006

Oral statement under item 4 (c): Indigenous peoples and conflict prevention and resolution.General Review of developments pertaining to the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, including their human rights and fundamental freedom:

Mr. Chairman,

In the framework of Item 4 (c) we would like to raise our concerns regarding the complex and bloody conflict in the lands of the forefathers; in ancient times called Aram-Nahrin in Aramaic; translated to Mesopotamia by the Greeks and known to the world in our times as Iraq.

Flying parts of human bodies; mangled bodies in the streets covered with human blood, desperate and crying mothers; children crying for their parents; heartbreaking scenes; it is unbearable how the innocent people of Iraq are suffering. The cradle of civilization is burning and peace, love and brotherhood seems to be far away and unachievable. Nobody knows how to solve this conflict and the world is at a dead loss what to do.

Revenge and bloodshed are the daily street scenes in Iraq. The path of the fanaticism and intolerance is reigning supreme where the words like peace, respect and brotherhood seems to be very rare.

Many of these atrocities where the innocent Iraqi people are suffering from are committed by foreigners whose goal is to create anarchy and chaos preventing the establishment of democracy. There seem, however, also some groups active within Iraq who hails the present situation with cheer in order to conduct ethnic cleansing in some parts of the country to get rid of its Indigenous people.

Mr. Chairman;

The Indigenous Aramean people are living for thousands of years in this part of the world and are familiar for hundreds of years with this kind of tyranny, fanaticism, intolerance, bloodshed and mercilessness. There are in Iraq various Aramean denominations, such as West-Aramean Syrian Orthodox, West- Aramean Syrian Catholics and Melkites, East- Aramean Chaldeans and East- Aramean Assyrians.

There are around 500.000 Arameans who are concentrated in the north and central part of the country with few thousand in southern part. Some rough numbers about various denominations:

West- Aramean Syrian Orthodox: 80.000-100.000
West-Aramean Syrian Catholic: 40.000-45.000
West- Aramean Syrian Melkites?????
East- Aramean Chaldeans: 200.000-300.000
East- Aramean Assyrians: 25.000-30.000

How can you, as an indigenous nation, deal with such complex conflicts? And how did the Aramean nation deal with these impossible situations since hundreds of years on local and regional level? As an indigenous nation you are finding yourselves at the mercy of people and regimes that are not familiar with ‘Human Rights’; not to speak about indigenous rights.

Nevertheless, we believe that the secret behind dealing with these types of complex conflicts is: loving and respecting your neighbour like yourself! We believe that this path is the best medicine to heal wounds, dry tears, stop cry of children and mothers, solve conflicts and act as a solid foundation for democracy and Human Rights.

Unfortunately; not everybody welcomes this policy with open arms; for our experience is that some people consider this policy as being backwards and will most likely resort to the path of the sword, glorifying and promoting it! In their perception of the world; the path of oppressing and subjecting others as second class citizens seems to be exalted to a holy act. And this makes conflict resolution very difficult, not to say: impossible.

Our impressing is that this path which leads to peace is unknown by some people resulting in the present-day situation. Others show two faces, namely: in front of the camera they glorify the path of love, respect and brotherhood; while in reality they apply the path of the sword.

In such hostile environment, our people were and are constantly fighting to survive and reconcile themselves to the horrible conditions of their persecutors in order to save their lives. They had to obey them unconditionally; they were forced to assimilation and to deny their rich cultural heritage and were forced to implement strange cultures.

Another point is Mr. Chairman; that the policy of Aramean nation is not rewarded or recognised in the new Iraqi Constitution. In "appreciation" of the Aramean policy of peace and respect they are excluded from the Iraqi constitution; while the "product" created by the Western spiritual colonialism of 16th and late 19th century; which had a devastated effect on the Aramean people in the middle-east, is glorified in the new constitution.

In Article 124 of the constitution we read, "This Constitution shall guarantee the administrative, political, cultural and educational rights for the various nationalities, such as Turkmen, Caldeans, Assyrians and all other components. A law shall regulate this ".

Please note how explicitly the Western Spiritual Colonial and slavery products "Assyrians" (a product of the Western Anglican missionary) and ,,Chaldeans" (a product of Western French/Roman Catholic missionary) are being glorified in the constitution without a reference to their Aramean origin. In our statement under Item 4 (a); this problem has been explained in detail.

In order to be able to maintain the Aramean policy of respect and brotherhood in a sea of fanaticism and intolerance; we ask for your support in the following points:

* Please demonstrate your solidarity to help maintain the Aramean presence in the lands of the forefathers.

* Please help to include the Aramean nation as the indigenous people of Iraq in the new Iraqi constitution.

Thank you

Gabriel Sengo - President of the Arameans of Aram-Naharaim Foundation

P.O. Box 178
7550 AD
Hengelo(Ov.);
Netherlands

Proposal: Media Ombudsman for Indigenous Peoples
By Gabriel Sengo - President of the Arameans of Aram-Naharaim Foundation

http://www.aramnahrin.org/English/Indigenous_2006_Ombudsman.htm

Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

Commission on Human Rights

Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

Working Group on the Indigenous Populations - 24th session

Geneva, Switzerland: 31 July – 4 August 2006

Oral statement under item: 5. Standard-setting:

(b) Possible new studies to be undertaken.

Mr. Chairman,

In the framework of new studies to be undertaken, we propose: Media Ombudsman for Indigenous peoples. However, please allow me first to explain the reason for that.

In our statement under item 4 (a)[1] we showed to you, in the framework of the decline of the Aramean heritage, the misrepresentation and misinformation of the Indigenous Aramean people of Aram-Nahrin by the mass media, governments and even by some human rights organizations. We felt that our rights were deliberately being violated in a way that contradicts the recorded testimonies [2] regarding our heritage and factually couldn’t do anything about it. It is quite insulting and harsh to observe, as an indigenous nation, that your cultural heritage is being distorted and you have no adequate means to defend your rights.

We couldn’t go to anywhere or anybody with this violation of our rights and felt powerless. We missed solidarity and support in this matter; no institution or organizations could help us in this matter; except the possibility to inform the high commissioner for Human Rights about these violations .[3] We believe that there are more indigenous peoples who experience the same or perhaps worse. For example that some of them became victim of government propaganda for political reasons or to deny their claims of being indigenous people. Or perhaps became victim of the propaganda of some of their own people who were bribed and brainwashed. For this reason we present to you the following proposal in the framework of Possible new studies to be undertaken:

Perhaps it would be meaningful to undertake a feasibility study to Indigenous peoples access to the media with the aim to create of what we would call a Media Ombudsman for indigenous peoples. The main goal of such Ombudsman would be the correct representation of indigenous peoples by the mass media, governments and others. This person should be, to our view, provided with means, authority and responsibility to instantly act adequately when the indigenous peoples are being misrepresented whether deliberately or not by the press, governments and others. At least this person should make note of these violations and report to the UN organizations and institutions of interest.

Of course Mr. Chairman; the working group on indigenous populations is a good platform where indigenous peoples every year can vent their feelings and share their experiences. Roughly speaking, the story of all of them is more or less the same and comprises amongst others: discrimination, exclusion, persecution, ethnic cleansing, misrepresentation and destruction of their cultural heritage.

Therefore, we do not expect miracles as to media Ombudsman. However we believe that a media Ombudsman would benefit the rights of all the indigenous peoples. Furthermore, the advantage of such Ombudsman to the indigenous peoples would be that you have somebody to whom you specifically can address the misinformation of your nation. As indigenous nation you than have something in your hand when you talk with media, governments and others; you have somebody at your side who is supporting you. Correct representation of Indigenous peoples may also help to better understanding of their cultural background; traditional knowledge and to attain their rights including recognition as indigenous people by governments.

Thank you

Gabriel Sengo - President of the Arameans of Aram-Naharaim Foundation

P.O. Box 178
7550 AD
Hengelo(Ov.);
Netherlands

Note
Picture: Aramaean Antiquities from Urhoy - Edessa of Osrhoene - Urfa