Aizawl, March 15, 2019: The Mizoram Assembly on Friday decided to adopt a private member resolution which seeks implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) by the union government. The resolution was moved by Vanlalhlana, an MLA of the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM).Vanlalhlana said there has been no effort to implement the declaration in the country despite the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People being adopted by 144 countries, including India at the UN General Assembly on September 13, 2007.
The ZPM MLA stressed on the need for effective implementation of the declaration saying, “The rights of the indigenous people in a remote state like Mizoram have been ignored as the Indian government has not implemented the declaration citing that all the Indian citizens are indigenous people.”
“The union government should implement the declaration to enable the indigenous Mizos enjoy their rights,” he said.
The Assembly adopted the resolution stating “cutting across party lines, legislators from both the ruling MNF and the opposition resolved to take measure to ensure that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, 2007 is implemented by the government of India.”
Ten years have passed since the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the General Assembly. Since then, the four nations which have voted against it reversed their positions and now support the Declaration. The Declaration now is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of indigenous people across the world.
The UN Declaration establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world.
It also elaborates on the existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to the specific situation of indigenous people.