University of Minnesota Human Rights Library

(Outcomes of the Seven Meetings of Negotiations in the Quest for Points of Consensus, held by the Working Group)

Conclusion of the Negotiations in the Quest for Points of Consensus based on the “Consolidated Text of the Chair”

Negotiations based on the “Consolidated Text of the Draft Declaration prepared by the Chair of the Working Group” (GT/DADIN/doc. 139/03) came to an end on March 24, 2006, during the Seventh Meeting of Negotiations in the Quest for Points of Consensus.

The review of the Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, based on the document “Outcomes of the Six Meetings of Negotiations in the Quest for Points of Consensus, held by the Working Group” (GT/DADIN/doc.236/05 rev.1), began on March 25 th, 2006, during the Seventh Meeting of Negotiations in the Quest for Points of Consensus.

In order to keep track of the process of preparing and negotiating the Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Chair of the Working Group will henceforth base each meeting to negotiate any of the articles of the Draft Declaration on the latest published version of the “Record of the Current Status of the Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” and, at the end of each meeting, he will proceed to issue an updated version of that document, which will serve as the basis for the next meeting of negotiations.

1. The American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples applies to the indigenous peoples of the Americas. ( Approved on March 25, 2006 – Seventh Meeting of Negotiations in the Quest for Points of Consensus)

2. Self-identification as indigenous peoples will be a fundamental criteria for determining to whom this Declaration applies. The States shall respect the right to such self-identification as indigenous, individually or collectively, in keeping with the practices and institutions of each indigenous people. ( Approved on March 25, 2006 – Seventh Meeting of Negotiations in the Quest for Points of Consensus)

The States recognize and respect the multiethnic and multicultural [and multilingual] character of their societies.

[Within the States, the right to self-determination of the indigenous peoples is recognized, pursuant to which they can define their forms of organization and promote their economic, social, and cultural development.]

[Nothing in this Declaration shall be construed so as to authorize or foster any action aimed at breaking up or diminishing, fully or in part, the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of the States, or other principles contained in the Charter of the Organization of American States.]

Indigenous [peoples and persons] have the right to the full and effective enjoyment of all the human rights and fundamental freedoms recognized in the Charter of the OAS, the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, and [, where applicable,] the American Convention on Human Rights, [the Convention 169 of the International Labour Organisation,] [as well as] and other international [and regional] [principles, standards, and] instruments of human rights. Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted so as to limit, restrict, or deny in any way those rights, or so as to authorize any action that is not in keeping with the principles [, standards, and instruments] of international law, including international human rights law.

1. Indigenous peoples have collective rights that are indispensable for their existence, well-being, and integral development as peoples.

2. In this regard, the States recognize [and guarantee], inter alia, the right of the indigenous peoples to their collective action; to their social, political, and economic organization; [to their legal systems;] to their own cultures; to profess and practice their spiritual beliefs; [and] to use their languages [; and to administer and control their lands, territories, and natural resources]

Indigenous women have the right to the recognition, protection, and enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms provided for in international law, free of all forms of discrimination.

States recognize that violence against indigenous peoples and persons, particularly women, hinders or nullifies the enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

States shall adopt the necessary measures, in conjunction with indigenous peoples, to prevent and eradicate all forms of violence and discrimination, particularly against indigenous women and children.

Indigenous persons and communities have the right to belong to the indigenous peoples, in accordance with the identities, traditions, customs, and systems of those peoples.]

The States shall recognize fully the legal personality of the indigenous peoples, respecting indigenous forms of organization and promoting the full exercise of the rights recognized in this Declaration.

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain, express, and freely develop their cultural identity in all respects, free from any external attempt at assimilation.

2. The States shall not carry out, adopt, support, or favor any policy to assimilate the indigenous peoples or to destroy their cultures.

Indigenous peoples have the right to not be subjected to any form of genocide or attempts to exterminate them.

[Article XI. Special guarantees against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to protection from racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance. In this regard, the States shall adopt special measures, when necessary, for the full enjoyment of internationally and nationally recognized human rights, and shall adopt all necessary measures so that indigenous women, men, and children can enjoy their civil, political, economic, social, cultural, and spiritual rights.

2. Indigenous peoples have the right to participate in the determination of those special guarantees.]

[1. Indigenous peoples have the right to their cultural integrity and to their historical and ancestral heritage, which are important for their collective continuity, and for their identity and that of their members and their States.]

[2. Indigenous peoples have the right to restitution of the property that is part of that heritage of which they may be dispossessed, or, when restitution is not possible, to fair and equitable compensation.]

[3. The States shall guarantee respect for and non-discrimination against the indigenous ways of life, world views, usages and customs, traditions, forms of social organization, institutions, practices, beliefs, values, dress, and languages.]

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to [reclaim,] preserve, use, develop, revitalize, and transmit to future generations their own histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, systems of knowledge, writing, and literature; and to designate and retain their own names for their communities, members, and places. The States [shall] [will] adopt adequate [and effective] measures to protect the exercise of this right [, in consultation with the peoples concerned].

2. [The indigenous peoples have the right to promote, develop, and have access to communications systems and media, including their own radio and television programs, on an equal basis. The States shall take measures to promote the broadcast of radio and television programming by the mass media in indigenous languages in regions with a large indigenous presence. The States shall also support the creation of indigenous radio stations and other means of communication.]

3. The States [shall take effective measures or should make efforts] so that the members of indigenous peoples can understand administrative, judicial, and political rules and procedures, and can be understood in such proceedings. [The States shall make the necessary efforts for the indigenous languages to be established as official languages in the areas where indigenous languages predominate.]

1. The States shall include in their national educational systems content that reflects the intercultural, multiethnic, and multilingual nature of their societies. The indigenous peoples have the right to bilingual intercultural education that incorporates their own world view, history, knowledge, values, spiritual practices, and ways of life.

define and implement their own educational programs, institutions, and facilities;
prepare and apply their own plans, programs, curricula, and teaching materials; and,
educate, train, and accredit their teachers and administrators.

The States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the indigenous education systems guarantee equal educational opportunity and teachers for the general population and complementarity with the national educational systems.

3. The States shall guarantee that the indigenous educational systems have the same level of quality, efficiency, accessibility, and in every other respect as those provided for the general population. In addition, the States shall facilitate access for indigenous children who live outside of their communities to learning in their own languages and cultures.

4. The States shall take measures to guarantee for the members of the indigenous peoples education of equal quality as for the general population at all levels. The States shall adopt effective measures to provide adequate resources for these purposes.]

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to [their freedom of spirituality] their spirituality and beliefs, and, by virtue of that right, to practice, develop, transmit, and teach their traditions, customs, and ceremonies, and to carry them out in public and in private, individually and collectively.

2. [The States shall take the necessary measures to prohibit efforts to convert or impose beliefs on the indigenous peoples or their members without their free and informed consent.]

3. [The States shall adopt the necessary measures, in consultation with the indigenous peoples, to preserve, respect, and protect their sacred sites and objects, including their burial grounds, human remains, and relics.]

4. [The States and their institutions shall guarantee that society as a whole respect the integrity of indigenous symbols, practices, sacred ceremonies, expressions, and spiritual protocols.]

1. The family is a natural and fundamental group unit of society. Indigenous peoples have the right to preserve, maintain and promote their own family systems. [The States shall recognize and protect the various indigenous forms of family, in particular the extended family, as well as the forms of matrimonial union, filiations, and family name. These indigenous forms of organization shall be respected by public and private institutions. In all cases, the criteria of gender and generational equity shall be recognized and respected].

2. In determining the best interest of the child in matters related to the adoption of indigenous children, severance of family ties, and other similar circumstances, the courts and other relevant institutions shall take into account, primarily, the [any applicable] indigenous law of the concerned peoples and shall consider their points of view, rights, and interests, including the positions of individuals, the family, and the community. The indigenous institutions, and indigenous courts where they exist, shall [may] have jurisdiction in determining the custody and other related matters concerning indigenous children.

[1. Indigenous peoples have the right to the exercise and legal recognition of their traditional indigenous medicine, pharmacopoeia, health practices and promotion, including those aimed at prevention and rehabilitation, as well as the right to use, maintain, develop, and administer their own health services; all in accordance with internationally recognized standards.]

[2. Indigenous peoples have the right to the use and protection of the plants, animal, and minerals for medicinal use in their ancestral lands and territories, as necessary for the practice of indigenous medicine.]

3. The States shall take measures to prevent and prohibit indigenous peoples and individuals from being subject to research programs, biological or medical [or other medical procedures] experimentation, as well as sterilization without their prior, free, and informed consent. [Likewise, indigenous peoples have the right to access to their data, medical records, and documentation of research conducted by individuals and public and private {national } institutions.]

4. Indigenous peoples have the right to use, without any discrimination whatsoever, all the health and medical care institutions and services accessible to the general population. The States, in coordination with indigenous peoples, shall promote [establish] an intercultural [system] approach in the medical and health services provided [in facilities that serve] to indigenous persons, including the formation of indigenous technical and professional health care personnel.

[5. The States shall provide the necessary means for the indigenous peoples to improve the health conditions in their communities insofar as they fall short of the standards accepted for the general population.]

1. [Indigenous peoples have the right to live in harmony with nature and to a healthy and safe environment, which are essential conditions for enjoyment of the right to life, to their spirituality, and to collective well-being.]

2. Indigenous peoples have the right to conserve, restore, recover, manage, use, and protect the environment, and to the sustainable management of their lands [, territories,][ and resources].[2]

3. Indigenous peoples have a right to [prior information and consultation on] [their free, prior and informed consent on] measures and actions which may [significantly] affect the environment in indigenous lands [and territories].[3]

4. Indigenous peoples have the right to participate fully and effectively in the formulation, planning, organization and implementation of measures, programs, laws, policies, and any other public [or private] activity that could affect the environment, for the conservation, use and management of their [the] lands [, territories] [and resources].[4]

5. Indigenous peoples have the right to technical and financial assistance from their States and from International Organizations for the purpose of protecting the environment [, in keeping with the procedures established in the national legislations].

[6. The States shall prohibit and punish, with the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples [and their consent], the introduction, abandonment, dispersion, transit, use, or deposit of any harmful substance, including persistent organic contaminants, nuclear radioactive chemical and biological materials, and [genetically modified organisms] that can directly or indirectly affect indigenous communities, lands [, territories] and resources.]

7. Indigenous Peoples have the right to create their own protected areas or areas of conservation on their lands [and territories] that shall be recognized, respected and protected by the State. States shall not create protected areas or areas of conservation of any sort on lands [or territories] that Indigenous Peoples have historically or traditionally used, possessed or occupied or have otherwise acquired, without the free, prior and informed consent of the Indigenous Peoples affected. In the creation of said areas, States shall not [under any circumstances / except under the circumstances set out in article 25 of this Declaration] require the forced transfer or relocation of indigenous peoples ¢ communities, impose restrictions or inhibit the traditional uses of the land, their way of life or their means of subsistence.

Article XIX. [ Rights of association, assembly, and freedom of expression and thought]

1. [Indigenous peoples have rights of association, assembly, organization and expression, without interference and in accordance with their worldview, inter alia, values, usages, customs, ancestral traditions, beliefs, spirituality, and other cultural practices.][5]

2. Indigenous peoples have the right to assemble on their sacred and ceremonial sites and areas, and for this purpose, they shall have free [reasonable] access, use [and administration] of these sites and areas.

3. Indigenous peoples, in particular those who are divided by borders, have the right to [move freely and] maintain full contact and common activities with their members [and other peoples] [with whom they have ethnic, religious or linguistic ties] who inhabit the territory of neighboring States, without discrimination. [The States shall adopt measures, including the adoption of international instruments, to facilitate the exercise of these rights.]

4. [The States shall adopt measures aimed at facilitating the exercise of the rights recognized in this article, mindful of the rights of third persons.][6]

1. Indigenous peoples, [as one of the ways to exercise their] [in the exercise of] the right to self-determination [within the States], have the right to autonomy or [and] self-government with respect to, inter alia, culture, language, spirituality, education, [information, means of communication,] health, housing, employment, social well-being, maintenance [of community security], [of jurisdictional functions in matters of territory,] family relations, economic activities, administration of land and resources, environment and [entry of non-members]; [and to determine with States the ways and means of financing {the exercise of these rights} these autonomous functions].[7]

2. Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and develop their own decision-making institutions. They also have the right to participate fully and effectively without discrimination in decision-making at all levels in relation to matters that may [directly] affect their rights, [lives and destiny]. They may do so directly or through their representatives, and accordance with their own norms, procedures, and traditions. They also have the right [to equal opportunities] to access and to participate [fully and effectively as peoples] in all national institutions and fora, [including deliberative bodies.]

1. The States shall recognize the [competence] of the authorities of indigenous peoples to exercise [jurisdictional functions] in their territory in accordance with their own standards, institutions and procedures. Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain [control] and strengthen their legal systems to address the internal matters that affect their rights and interests, and to apply them in accordance with their own rules and procedures. [8]

2. The indigenous law and legal systems shall be recognized and respected by the national [and international] legal systems. [9]

3. The matters referring to indigenous persons or to their rights or interests in the jurisdiction of each State shall be conducted so as to provide for the right of the indigenous people to full representation with dignity and equality before the law. Consequently, they are entitled, without discrimination, to equal protection and benefit of the law, including the use of linguistic and cultural interpreters.

4. The States shall take effective measures in consultation with the indigenous peoples to ensure implementation of this article,[10] [for which they shall determine the coordination of the indigenous jurisdictional systems with the national legal systems].

Article XXII. Contributions of the indigenous legal and organizational systems

1. The States shall facilitate the inclusion, within their national and regional organizational structures, as appropriate, of the traditional institutions and practices of the indigenous peoples, in consultation with and with the consent[11] of said peoples.

2. The Indigenous peoples, in matters that may directly affect their rights, have the right to participate fully and effectively [without discrimination] in the design of institutions that serve them, in the development, [adoption] and implementation of plans, public policies, and programs and activities, including those that the State agrees [with {financial} multilateral institutions], as well as in the process of development of legislative, administrative and judicial measures. [All of the above, with the purpose of strengthening and promoting the identity, culture, traditions, organization and values of these peoples.]

[3. States shall obtain free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous peoples concerned before adopting and implementing such policies and measures.] [12]

[Indigenous peoples have the right to the recognition, observance, and application of the treaties, conventions, and other arrangements that the States or their successors may have concluded, in keeping with their spirit and intent, and to have the same be respected and observed by the States.][13]

Article XXIV . Traditional forms of property and cultural survival. Right to land, territory, and resources

Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinctive spiritual, cultural, and material relationship to their lands, territories, and resources and the [duty] to assume their responsibilities to preserve them for themselves and for future generations.[14]

[1. Indigenous peoples have the right to the recognition of their property rights and ownership rights with respect to the lands and territories that they historically occupy, as well as the use of the lands to which they have traditionally had access for carrying out their traditional activities and for sustenance, respecting the principles of the legal system of each State. These rights also include the waters, coastal seas, flora, fauna, and all other resources of that habitat, as well as their environment, preserving these for themselves and future generations.

2. Indigenous peoples have the right to legal recognition of the various and particular modalities and forms of property, possession, and ownership of their lands and territories, in accordance with the principles of the legal system of each State. The States shall establish the special regimes appropriate for such recognition, and for their effective demarcation or titling.

3. The rights of the indigenous peoples to their lands and territories they occupy or use historically are permanent, exclusive, inalienable, imprescriptible, and indefeasible.

4. The titles may only be modified by mutual agreement between the State and the respective indigenous peoples, with full knowledge and understanding by their members with respect to the nature and attributes of that property and of the proposed modification. The agreement by the indigenous people concerned shall be given following its practices, usages and customs.

5. Indigenous peoples have the right to attribute ownership within the community in accordance with the values, usages, and customs of each peoples.

6. The States shall take adequate measures to avert, prevent, and punish any intrusion or use of such lands, territories, or resources by persons from outside to claim for themselves the property, possession, or right to use the same.

7. In case the property rights over the minerals or resources of the subsoil belong to the State, or it has rights over other resources existing in the lands and territories of the indigenous peoples, the States shall establish or maintain procedures for the participation of the peoples concerned for determining whether the interests of those peoples would be prejudiced and to what extent, before undertaking or authorizing any program involving prospecting, planning, or exploitation of the resources existing on their lands and territories. The peoples concerned shall participate in the benefits of such activities, and receive fair compensation for any harm they might suffer as a result of such activities.

8. The States shall provide, within their legal systems, a legal framework and effective legal remedies to protect the rights of the indigenous peoples referred to in this article.]

1. Indigenous peoples shall not be transferred or relocated without their free, prior, and informed consent, except in cases of natural disaster, [national emergency, or exceptional grounds duly justified,] through procedures jointly established with the indigenous peoples. In the event of a transfer or relocation, the States shall ensure the replacement, [wherever possible,] by adequate lands of equal size, quality, and legal status, [guaranteeing] in all cases the right to return if the causes that gave rise to the displacement cease to exist.

2. Just and equitable compensation shall be paid to the indigenous peoples and to their members who are transferred or relocated for [any] loss or harm they may have suffered as a result of their displacement.[15]

1. Indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation or initial contact have the right to remain in that condition and to live freely and in accordance with their cultures.

2. The States shall adopt adequate policies and measures with the knowledge and participation of indigenous peoples and organizations to recognize, respect, and protect the lands, territories, environment, and cultures of these peoples as well as their life, and individual and collective integrity. (Approved 10/12/05)[16][17]

1. Indigenous peoples and persons have the rights and guarantees recognized in national and [applicable] international labor law. States shall take all special measures to prevent, sanction and remedy the discrimination to which indigenous peoples and persons are subjected.

2. States, in conjunction with indigenous peoples, shall adopt immediate and effective measures to eliminate exploitative labor practices with regard to indigenous peoples, in particular, indigenous children, women and elders.

3. In case indigenous peoples are not effectively protected by the laws applicable to workers in general, States, in conjunction with indigenous peoples, shall take all measures that may be necessary in order to:

a. protect indigenous workers and employees in relation to contracting under fair and equal conditions of employment in both formal and informal labor arrangements;

b. establish, apply, or improve labor inspection and the enforcement of rules with particular attention to, inter alia, regions, companies, and labor activities in which indigenous workers or employees participate;

c. establish, apply or enforce laws so that both female and male indigenous workers:

i. enjoy equal opportunities and treatment in all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment under national and [applicable] international law;

ii. enjoy the right of association, the right to form trade unions, and join trade union activities, and the right to bargain collectively with employers through representatives of their own choosing or workers’ organizations, including traditional authorities;

are not subject to discrimination or harassment on the basis of, inter alia, race, sex, indigenous origin or identity;

iv. are not subject to coercive hiring systems, including debt servitude or any other form of forced or compulsory labor regardless of whether the labor arrangement arises from law, custom, or an individual or collective arrangement, in which case the labor arrangement shall be deemed absolutely null and void;

v. are not forced to work in conditions that endanger their health and personal safety; and are protected from work that does not comport with occupational health and safety standards; and

vi. receive full and effective legal protection, without discrimination, when they provide their services as seasonal, occasional, or migrant workers, as well as when they are contracted by employers such that they receive the benefits of the national legislation and practices, which shall be in accordance with the [applicable] international human rights laws and standards for this category of workers;

d. ensure that the indigenous workers and their employers are informed of the rights of indigenous workers under national law and [applicable] international and indigenous standards, and of the remedies and actions available to them to protect those rights.

[4. States should take measures to promote employment of indigenous individuals.]

[5. In all cases, applicable indigenous labor laws, norms, and policies shall take precedence within the jurisdiction of the indigenous peoples concerned.]

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to the full recognition and respect for their property, ownership, possession, control, development, and protection of their tangible and intangible cultural heritage and intellectual property, including its collective nature, transmitted through millennia, from generation to generation.

2. The intellectual property of indigenous peoples includes, inter alia, traditional knowledge, ancestral designs and procedures, cultural, artistic, spiritual, technological, and scientific, expressions, genetic resources including human genetic resources, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, as well as the knowledge and developments of their own related to biodiversity and the utility and qualities of seeds and medicinal plants, flora and fauna.

3. States, in conjunction with indigenous peoples, shall adopt measures necessary to guarantee that national and international agreements and regimes provide adequate recognition and protection for indigenous peoples’ cultural heritage and intellectual property. These measures shall be adopted with the free, prior, and informed consent of indigenous peoples.]

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to freely[18] determine their political, economic, social and cultural development in conformity with their own world view. They also have the right to be guaranteed the enjoyment of their own means of subsistence and development, and to engage freely in all their traditional and other economic activities.

2. This right includes the development of policies, plans, programs, and strategies in the exercise of their right to development and to administer them through their own institutions.

3. Indigenous peoples have the right to obtain adequate means for their own development from the State, as well as those from international cooperation.

4. Indigenous peoples have the right to full and effective participation in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of State development plans and programs which may affect them.

5. The States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the decisions referring to any plan, program, or project that affect the rights or living conditions of indigenous peoples are made with the free, prior and informed consent or agreement of the indigenous peoples affected, on the basis of the measures proposed.

6. Indigenous peoples have the right to effective measures to mitigate adverse ecological, economic, social, cultural, or spiritual impacts of development projects . Indigenous peoples who have been deprived of their own means of subsistence and development have the right to restitution and, where this is not possible, to fair and equitable compensation. This includes the right to compensation for any damage caused to them by the implementation of State, international financial institutions or private business plans, programs, or projects.]

[Article XXX. Right to peace, security and protection in the event of armed conflicts

2. Indigenous peoples have the rights to recognition and respect for their institutions for the maintenance of peace and security.

3. Indigenous peoples have the right to protection and security in situations or periods of internal or international armed conflict, political turmoil or social disorder.

4. States shall respect international standards, in particular the international humanitarian law such as the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war, and the Protocol II of 1977 relating to the protection of victims of non-international armed conflicts. In the event of armed conflicts, the States shall take adequate measures, with the agreement of the indigenous peoples concerned, to protect the human rights, institutions, lands, territories, and resources of the indigenous peoples, inter alia:

Shall not permit the recruitment of indigenous individuals against their will to serve in the armed forces and private security forces and, in particular, for use against their own peoples or other indigenous peoples.

Shall not recruit indigenous children into the armed forces under any circumstances;

Shall not force indigenous communities or individuals to abandon their lands, territories or means of subsistence, nor relocate them for military purposes;

Shall not force indigenous individuals to work for military purposes.
Shall respect the right to conscientious objection particularly taking into account their cultural or spiritual practices.

Shall take measures of integral reparation and provide adequate resources for reconstruction, with the free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous peoples affected, by the damages incurred.

Shall take special and effective measures to guarantee that women and children live free from all forms of violence.

5. Nothing in this article shall be used as a pretext to militarize, directly or indirectly, the lands and territories of indigenous peoples, by the armed forces of the State, armed groups supported or condoned by the State, or private security groups; or to take any actions that limit or deny their right to peace and security.]

1. The States shall ensure the full enjoyment of the civil, political, economic, social, cultural, and [spiritual] rights, and of all [fundamental human] rights of the indigenous peoples contained in this Declaration.

2. The States shall promote, with the full and effective participation of the indigenous peoples, the adoption of the legislative and other measures that may be necessary to give effect to the rights included in this Declaration.

All the rights and freedoms recognized in the present Declaration are guaranteed equally to indigenous women and men.[20]

Indigenous peoples and persons have the right to effective and appropriate remedies, including prompt judicial remedies, for the reparation of all violations of their collective and individual rights. The States, with full and effective participation of indigenous peoples, shall provide the necessary mechanisms for the exercise of this right.

In case of conflicts and disputes with indigenous peoples, States shall provide, with the full and effective participation of those peoples, just, equitable and effective mechanisms and procedures for their prompt resolution. For this purposes, [due consideration / recognition] shall be given to the customs, traditions, norms and [legal systems] of the indigenous peoples concerned.

The Organization of American States, its organs, agencies, and entities, shall take all necessary measures to [promote and ensure] the full application, respect and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples contained in this Declaration.

The nature and scope of the measures that shall be taken to implement this Declaration shall be determined in accordance with the spirit and purpose of said Declaration.

Any interpretation and application of the present Declaration [shall take into account the constitutional principles of each State and] shall be consistent with the international principles of justice, democracy, respect for human rights, nondiscrimination, [good governance,] and good faith.

Nothing in this declaration shall be construed as diminishing or extinguishing rights that indigenous peoples now have or may acquire in the future.

The rights recognized in this Declaration constitute the minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

During the general discussion, some delegations voiced their concern regarding the need to adopt terminology appropriate for international “Declarations,” since it struck them that the auxiliary verb “shall” in English was more appropriate for a Convention, not for a Declaration. The Chair undertook to carry out the necessary consultations with the International Law Office of the OAS General Secretariat to determine the word that best matched the interests and aspirations of both those governments and the indigenous peoples.

The outcomes of the Seventh Meeting with respect to Section VI, “General Provisions,” are recorded in document GT/DADIN/doc.260/06 of March 25, 2006, “Record of the Current Status of the Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” and may be summarized as follows:

After listening to various opinions of interested parties, some of whom would like to use the word “spiritual” and others “spirituality,” it was decided to continue consultations on the subject and therefore place the word “spiritual” in square brackets.

The use of the words “fundamental human” was broadly accepted. However, one of the governmental delegations asked for more time for consultations.

The delegation of the United States voiced concern about the use of the auxiliary verb “shall” in English and queried whether “should” would be more appropriate. It was proposed that an appropriate term be found that would satisfy all delegations.

After reviewing linguistic and interpretative nuances, it was decided to keep the verb “garantizar” in the Spanish text (“Los Estados garnatizarán”) and “ensure” in English.

Consensus was reached on the second paragraph of Article XXXI.

This Article refers to three paragraphs that were approved unanimously and by consensus by the different delegations. The Chair said that the question of where the three paragraphs would go remained pending. For reasons to do with the order of the text, the Chair proposes that the paragraph which reads “All the rights and freedoms recognized in the present Declaration are guaranteed equally to indigenous men and women” and which had appeared under Article VII under the title “gender equality” should become one of the General Provisions as the text of Article XXXII and that the three specific paragraphs adopted at the Seventh Meeting should constitute the contents of Article VII of the draft Declaration.

This Article was supported by all the delegations present, with the exception of Canada, which made the following statement: “ Canada is currently involved in consultation within government and with indigenous peoples regarding some of the issues contained in this paragraph. Taking this into account, Canada requests that the Working Group discuss this paragraph again at which point we may present a proposal.” The United States later asked to adhere to Canada’s position.

In this Article, the words for which no consensus was forthcoming were “due consideration / recognition.” Even though all the delegations agreed on the phrase “legal systems of the indigenous peoples concerned,” and the term “legal systems” had elicited a consensus in Article XXI, paragraph 2, “Indigenous Law and Jurisdiction,” Canada asked for the phrase “legal systems” to be placed in square brackets.

For its part, the Delegation of Colombia suggested examining the possibility of placing the second part of this Article in Article XXI, “Indigenous Law and Jurisdiction,” where it belonged.

Some delegations expressed their desire to consult further on the use of the words “ensure and promote.” Most of the delegations present were inclined to approve the whole text.

With regard to the second part of the proposal by the Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus, which reads “To that end, a body shall be established at the highest level within the Organization of American States with special competence in this sphere, with the direct participation of the indigenous peoples”, most delegations were of the opinion that this should form part of the resolution approving the text of the Declaration. However, the representatives of the indigenous peoples argued and insisted that immediate actions needed to be taken to ensure their full and effective participation in the work of the OAS. As a result, Guatemala, together with other delegations, offered to help craft a resolution that could form part of the decisions to be taken at the next regular session of the OAS General Assembly to be held in the Dominican Republic.

All delegations supported the text and were ready to approve it as it stood, except the United States, which requested more time for internal consultations. This paragraph could therefore be open to further discussion should the aforementioned delegation so request. Suriname also asked for time for consultations.

The delegation of the United States proposed the following text for Article XXXII bis: “The exercise of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration are subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing the due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.” Some delegations were in favor of including this proposal under General Provisions and it will be discussed later to leave time for both the indigenous and governmental delegations to conduct informal consultations.

For this Article, discussion focused on whether or not to include the mention of the “constitutional principles of each State.” On the one hand, several States wanted the reference to be included, while others and the indigenous representatives themselves argued that it was unnecessary. In addition, the inclusion by Canada of “good governance” remained in square brackets at the request of Venezuela as it does not satisfactorily render the meaning of the Spanish, which is “governabilidad democrática.” It is to be noted that the Chair has encountered examples in United Nations usage in which “good governance” is translated as “buen gobierno.”

For its part, the delegation of El Salvador asked for the following clarification to be included in the report of the Chair: “The delegation of El Salvador supports the ideas contained in this Declaration, provided that they do not contradict the precepts of the Constitution of the Republic or treaties or conventions ratified by my country.”

The proposal corresponds to that presented by the Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus. Although it is a general provision, the Caucus itself requested that it be considered together with Article 3, Section I, “Indigenous Peoples, Scope of Application.” The proposal is recorded in the document on proposals put forward at the Seventh Meeting of Negotiations.

Most of the delegations present supported the text as is and were inclined to approve it. Suriname and the United States asked for more time for internal consultations on the words “recognized” and “minimum standards”, so that this paragraph will be discussed again later.

As mentioned earlier in this Report consideration began in Brazil, during the Seventh Meeting of Negotiations, of the texts contained in the document “Outcomes of the Six Meetings of Negotiations in the Quest for Points of Consensus held by the Working Group (GT/DADIN/doc.236/05 rev.1) and, pursuant to the agenda adopted, the meeting discussed Section One, “Indigenous Peoples, Scope of Application.”

The outcomes of the Seventh Meeting, with respect to Section One, “Indigenous Peoples, Scope of Application” are also recorded in the document “Record of the Current Status of the Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” (GT/DADINdoc.260/06) of March 25, 2006. The discussion may be summarized as follows:

After intense debate and exchanges of proposals, the term that some delegations still found difficult was recognition of the “multilingual” character of the societies. Although different options were put forward, none elicited a consensus. All the proposals put forward for said Article have been registered in the document “New Compendium of Proposals for the Final Review Stage of the Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” (GT/DADIN/doc.259/06).

In the case of this Article, there was only time to receive proposals, not to debate them. These proposals are also recorded in the document “New Compendium of Proposals for the Final Review Stage of the Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” (GT/DADIN/doc.259/06).

The Chair requested all delegations to continue their informal consultations, since these consultations had contributed to the progress made during the Seventh Meeting of Negotiations.

1. Details of the negotiations of Articles 1, 2, and 3 of this Section, which were examined during the Seventh Meeting of Negotiations in the Quest for Points of Consensus, can be found in Appendix II to this Report.

2. Since there is no consensus on this paragraph, the Chair has recorded proposals made by Member States and by the Indigenous Caucus. Various delegations of Member States have requested the insertion of brackets around the words ²territories ² and ²resources ². In addition, a part of this paragraph will be considered when reviewing the chapter on General Provisions.

3. Since there is no consensus on this paragraph, the Chair has recorded proposals made by Member States and by the Indigenous Caucus. The terms ²significantly ² and ²prior, free and informed consent ² were the object of special consideration by the Working Group. This paragraph will be considered when reviewing the chapter on General Provisions.

4. This paragraph will be considered when reviewing article XX (2) and the indigenous caucus ¢ proposal with respect to article XXII.

5. This item had the support of most of delegations, but a consensus was not reached.

6. This item will be reviewed when considering section six general provisions - the Secretariat duly records the proposals of the indigenous caucus.

7. This item will be considered together with Articles III and IV of the Draft Declaration.

8. This item had the support of most of delegations, but a consensus was not reached. It was suggested that this paragraph be revised with article XXXIII.

9. This item had the support of most of delegations, but a consensus was not reached. It was suggested that this paragraph be revised with article XXXIII.

10. The first part of this paragraph will be considered when reviewing the chapter on General Provisions.

12. Most delegations felt there was a need to analyze the scope of this paragraph in the future.

13. The Chair has collected all the proposals and Delegations need further time to analyze them.

14. Following instructions it received from Santiago after consideration of this paragraph by the Meeting, the Delegation of Chile reserves the right to review the term “territories” used in this clause.

16. Argentina enters a reservation with respect to the terms “lands and territories” until the scope of their meaning throughout the text of the declaration is reviewed.

17. Mexico joins in the consensus reached on this article. However, Mexico reserves the right to request reconsideration of the final part of paragraph 2 of this article which reads: “These policies shall includethe necessary measures to prevent, prohibit, and punish any unauthorized intrusion in their lands and territories” if it is not reflected elsewhere in the Declaration.

18. This item will be considered together with Articles III, IV, and XX of the Draft Declaration.

19. Details of the negotiation of this Section, which were examined during the Seventh Meeting of Negotiations in the Quest for Points of Consensus, can be found in Appendix I to this Report.

20. During the Seventh Meeting of Negotiations, held in Brasilia, Brazil, the Working Group approved the three paragraphs proposed by the Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus and which the Chair suggested should currently appear in Article VII, “Gender Equality.” The paragraph that had already been approved by consensus at another meeting of negotiations and which appeared as the first paragraph in Article VII has been transferred as a general provision and now appears as Article XXXII in this Section.