Aprueba ONU Declaración Universal de Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas

Estados Unidos, Canadá, Australia y Nueva Zelanda votaron en contra del documento
 
Establece como garantías la autodeterminació n, el control de sus tierras y de los recursos naturales

La sancionaron favorablemente 143 de los 192 países representados en el organismo internacional

Dpa, Afp y Reuters

Nueva York, 13 de septiembre. La Asamblea General de Naciones Unidas aprobó hoy por abrumadora mayoría la Declaración Universal de Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas, que establece el derecho a la autodeterminació n, al control de sus tierras y recursos naturales, y a la preservación de la cultura y tradiciones de esas comunidades.
La declaración fue adoptada por 143 de los 192 países representados en el organismo, 11 abstenciones y con la decidida oposición de Estados Unidos, Canadá, Australia y Nueva Zelanda, que pusieron reparos especialmente en lo que se refiere a las disposiciones sobre tierras, territorios y recursos, pues consideraron que son “demasiadas amplias y confusas” en sus interpretaciones.

El texto establece el derecho a la autodeterminació n de los indígenas, incluyendo el “derecho a la autonomía o autogobierno en los temas relacionados con sus asuntos internos y locales, así como caminos y formas para financiar sus funciones autónomas”.
“Cada individuo indígena tiene derecho a la nacionalidad”, dice la declaración, calificada por Estados Unidos de “defectuosa”, pero que amparará a unos 370 millones de personas en el mundo luego de una negociación de 20 años.

Next round of voting: November 9, 2007

From: ali@nisgua.org
Sept. 10, 2007

PRELIMINARY ELECTION RESULTS - GUATEMALA 2007
 
Guatemalans participated in general elections yesterday, September 9. Since no presidential candidate acquired over 50% of the vote, on November 4th there will be a run-off between the two top contenders, Alvaro Colom of the National Unity for Hope (UNE) party and Otto Perez Molina of the Patriot Party (PP).
 
With close to 95% percent of the vote counted, the standings in the presidential race are as follows:
 
Alvaro Colom, National Unity for Hope (UNE): 28%
Otto Perez Molina, Patriot Party (PP): 24%
Alejandro Giammattei, Great National Alliance (GANA): 17%
Eduardo Suger, Center for Social Action (CASA): 7%
Luis Rabbe, Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG): 7%
Rigoberta Menchu, Encounter for Guatemala (EG): 3%
 
The rest of the parties received less than 3% of the vote.
 
More election news in Spanish can be found at:

http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/edicionelectoral07/index.html
 
We are in the process of working on a NISGUA elections analysis which we will send to you soon.
 
NISGUA staff in Guatemala

From: ali@nisgua.org
Sept. 7, 2007

Hello NISGUA activists,
 
Pepe Méndez, son of well-known human rights activist Amílcar Méndez, was murdered on August 17th. His family has asked for international pressure to ensure that justice is served. You can learn more and take action at:
 
http://cgrs.uchastings.edu/campaigns/pepe/JusticeForPepe_page.html
 
We stand in solidarity with the Méndez family as they pressure for an investigation into the murder and justice for those responsible.
 
Pepe's murder occurred in the context of a disturbing pattern of violence during this election season. Not only have candidates, party leaders, and activists themselves been killed, but in some cases their children have been targeted as well.
 
Peace,
NISGUA Guatemala

TAKE ACTION...

From: KDemain@wola.org
Aug. 30, 2007

On September 9, Guatemalans will vote in the first round of presidential elections. WOLA has been monitoring the campaign and voting conditions in Guatemala for several months and has prepared the following report. We hope you find it useful.

Almost 6 million Guatemalans are registered to vote in the country’s federal and departmental elections on Sunday, September 9. WOLA staff has been monitoring the election process over the last six months and visited Guatemala in July to meet with representatives of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE, its acronym in Spanish), the U.S. government, national and international organizations carrying out electoral observation missions, and civil society and non-governmental organizations.

The 2007 election cycle has been marked by an alarming increase in political violence and allegations that criminal networks have been financing some candidates’ campaigns...

Read election summary here...

Roger Atwood
Communications Director
Washington Office on Latin America
(1 202) 797 2171, ext 211

________________________
Kristina DeMain
Program Assistant
Washington Office on Latin America
202-797-2171

Vol 19 No 15 - ghrc-usa@ghrc-usa.org

• 
  More Bus Drivers Killed
• Pre-Electoral Violence Continues
• US Intensifies Adoption Monitoring
• CICIG Approved
• US Companies on Trial for Pesticide Use

Read complete report...

Read Insert: No Sé: Guatemala 2007 Pre-Election Report...

MAYAN-Q’EQCHI’ COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY SKYE RESOURCES’ FENIX NICKEL PROJECT

From: info@rightsaction.org
August 28, 2007

Rights Action recently led an educational and activist delegation to Guatemala .  We took our delegates to the Skye Resources nickel mining affected indigenous communities of eastern Guatemala .  The Canadian Pension Plan (amongst many institutional investors) is an investor in Skye.

Click here for Photo Essay...