Obama Reverses Bush Refusal to Support UN Natives Rights Declaration

[The Straight Story]

Obama Reverses Bush Refusal to Support UN Natives Rights Declaration

The United States will no longer be the sole holdout on signing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, now that President Barack Obama has announced his decision to support the agreement.

Three years ago, President George W. Bush refused to allow the U.S. to become a party to the measure. The governments of Canada, Australia and New Zealand also refused. However, these three countries eventually changed their positions and endorsed the declaration, leaving the U.S. alone in its opposition.

The declaration validates the fundamental rights and freedoms of the estimated 350 million indigenous peoples around the world, and it prohibits discrimination against them.
-Noel Brinkerhoff

U.S., Last Holdout on Native Rights Declaration, Reverses Stand (by Matthew O. Berger, Inter Press Service)
State of the World’s Indigenous People (united Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs) (pdf)

http://www.allgov.com/US_and_the_World/ViewNews/Obama_Reverses_Bush_Refusal_to_Support_UN_Natives_Rights_Declaration_101219

[bananas]

1. I was just about to post that

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jspjjoDdxdeNrkTwd-ys5I6RZ9EQ?docId=ba23813ea85d4e908df0dd9caef6a149

Obama: US will back UN on rights of native peoples
(AP) – 2 days ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama said Thursday that the United States will reverse course and support a United Nations declaration defending the rights of indigenous peoples.

Obama told Native American leaders that the declaration affirms the importance and rich cultures of native peoples throughout the world. The U.S. voted against the declaration when the General Assembly adopted it in 2007, arguing it was incompatible with existing laws. Three other countries, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, also opposed the declaration, but have since announced their support.

<snip>

Obama noted that this year he signed laws to improve health care and law enforcement for Native American tribes and helped resolve long-standing disputes over discrimination against American Indian farmers by the Agriculture Department and mistreatment by the Interior Department of those with royalty rights for oil, gas, grazing and timber.

"We're making progress. We're moving forward. And what I hope is that we are seeing a turning point in the relationship between our nations," Obama told a conference of tribal nations attended by more than 500 people representing more than 320 tribes.

<snip>

[Mortos]

2. Another great move by President Obama

Hmmm, but I thought he was just like Bush, only worse...curious. <end sarcasm>

[madokie]

4. Its that very few of Obama's good moves ever see the light of day

so many are so ready to tear him a new ass that they don't notice the good that is happening around him/us.

we don't have a free and open press any longer so it is hard for him to get his message out.

[Bluenorthwest]

9. If that is the case, they need to make changes

His message should be gotten out for him, but the giant communications staff, and Mr Gibbs needs to earn his $176,000. It is that simple. The cry that the President is truncated because we do not have a free press is absurd. It is an argument that is beneath the power and dignity of that office, much less of the man holding it. Such arguments are the political equal of 'the sun was in my eyes' and excuses are just excuses.
Getting his message out is a job that should be better done, right now those in charge of it suck eggs and are not worth the money we the people pay them.

[blondeatlast]

6. Edit--wrong place. nt

[L. Coyote]

3. Hope it is ratified by Congress.

This is major, a tsunamic alteration in US law if approved; we might actually have to do something about the Indian concentration camps. after over 100 years of keeping them in their impoverished corrals.

[dgibby]

5. Excellent.

Kudos to Obama!

[blondeatlast]

7. Well done, Mr. President. Thank you. nt

[lonestarnot]

8. Most excellent!

[postulater]

10. Great news.

Now if we can just clean up our mess so the world is safe for their future.

[applegrove]

11. Canada has not signed on. What an embarrassment for us in Canada.

[DavidDvorkin]

12. Damn him! He's no better than Bush! I feel so betrayed.

Er, what?

[LawnLover]

13. How DARE he do something right!!! nt.

[great white snark]

14. Thank you President Obama. nt

[Odin2005]

15. YAY!!!