The sixth Organization of American States (OAS) meeting of the Quest for Points of Consensus on the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples took place from October 10-14 in Antigua, Guatemala, marking the first time this group has met outside of Washington, D.C.
Ambassador Francisco Villagrán said in an OAS press release on October 3 that, "The participation of representatives of indigenous peoples has been expanded, and [indigenous peoples] have a more direct and active involvement in the discussions and negotiations."
Active involvement with indigenous communities was promoted as a result of an OAS mandate at the June 2005 General Assembly meeting at Fort Lauderdale, which stated that nations and local indigenous peoples should meet and formulate directives for the sixth session of the working group.
In accordance with the Fort Lauderdale resolution, indigenous peoples were issued an "open invitation" to nominate representatives to attend the sixth working group. According to Agencia Brasil's website, indigenous people were equally represented along with member nation-states; 34 indigenous and 34 non-indigenous representatives attended the OAS meeting in Antigua, Guatemala.
Juan León, alternative representative of Guatemala and chair of the working group, led the discussion, in which two articles were adopted: Article 5, No Forced Assimilation, and Article 19, Workers Rights. Article 5 affords indigenous peoples the right to live in voluntary isolation and Article 19 creates equal opportunity for and prohibits discrimination of indigenous peoples in the workplace.
"In more than ten years of discussions, only one article from the declaration was adopted. Managing to get two others adopted in [total] is a huge advance," Azelene Kaingang, co-president of the Indigenous Peoples' Conclave for South America, said in an interview with Agencia Brasil.
Prior to the meeting of the OAS working group, the city of Antigua hosted a national meeting of indigenous groups, including Mayan, Garifuna, and Xinka peoples, in accordance with the Fort Lauderdale mandate. Prensa Latina reported that more than 30 indigenous representatives from Latin America attended this national meeting, during which attendees were prepared for the working group session.
According to Agencia Brasil, the OAS seeks consensus by both the indigenous community and nation-states by the eighth session of the working group in March 2007, with Brazil potentially hosting the session. The seventh session will take place in Venezuela in March 2006.
