Please find below a copy of the letter which has been sent to the President of the UN General Assembly on behalf of the global Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus, constituting the seven regional Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus.

December 30, 2006

H.E. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa of Bahrain
President, United Nations General Assembly
United Nations
New York, New York 10017

Your Excellency:

We, the undersigned Indigenous peoples, nations and organizations,
are writing in regard to the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples. If adopted by the General Assembly,
the Declaration would constitute a key step towards eliminating the
widespread and persistent human rights abuses suffered by Indigenous
peoples worldwide.

Regretfully, member States in the Third Committee voted to defer
adoption of the Declaration by the General Assembly "to allow time
for further consultations" (Resolution A/C.3/61/L.18/R.1, adopted as
corrected and amended by L.57/Rev.1, 28 November 2006, results of
vote 82/67/25). At the same time, the adopted Resolution has
undermined the credibility and crucial work of the Human Rights
Council and set back current U.N. reforms.

On December 20, 2006, the same Resolution was adopted without
changes by the General Assembly. Presently, in considering fair and
viable means of undertaking "consultations", the limited terms of
the Resolution should be fully respected. They should not be
exceeded in any way. In this regard, we feel it crucial that the
following key factors be highlighted:

1. Further "consultations" permitted.

The Resolution authorizes "time for further consultations".
These "consultations" should not be converted into a working group
or other process that opens up the Declaration to any changes.

2. Nature of "consultations".

A key purpose of "consultations" is to bridge understanding,
especially for many States that chose not to participate in the
standard-setting process that took place for over 20
years. "Consultations" are to obtain State and Indigenous
opinions, which must be fully consistent with the purposes and
principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

3. Indigenous participation essential.

Indigenous peoples should be ensured full, direct and effective
participation at all stages of consideration of the Declaration by
the General Assembly. In order to ensure fairness, balance and
legitimacy, any "consultations" must include such Indigenous
participation.

Indigenous peoples are not considered simply as non-governmental
organizations. For over 20 years, U.N. practice has ensured active,
democratic involvement by Indigenous peoples in matters relating to
our human rights.

4. Support for Human Rights Council.

In engaging in "consultations", it is important that the Human
Rights Council and its essential work be supported and respected.

5. Limited time period for "consultations".

The "consultations" should be completed in a timely manner prior to
September 2007. The General Assembly decided "to conclude its
consideration of the Declaration, as contained in the annex to the
present resolution, before the end of its sixty-first session."
(Resolution, para. 3).

We greatly appreciate your consideration of the above matters.

Respectfully submitted,

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ CAUCUS
with representation from the following Regional Caucuses:

African Caucus
Arctic Caucus
Asian Caucus
Latin American and Caribbean Caucus
North American Caucus
North, Siberia and Far East of the Russian Federation Caucus
Pacific Caucus