Statement by

Mr. Ali Karimi Magham

Political Attaché

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Before the Third Committee, UNGA 76

On Item 71: Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

The Special Rapporteur on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples

New York, 11 October 2021

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Mr. Chair,

The COVID-19 pandemic has further unmasked the fragility of Indigenous Peoples and the need for international community to be diligent about those who are the most vulnerable and susceptible to intersecting forms of discrimination.

In this vein, I would like to highlight the importance of the report compiled by the United Nations’ Expert Mechanism on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples (A/HRC/48/74), which focuses on the situation of children of Indigenous Peoples who constitute the most vulnerable part of their communities. The report was especially poignant since its publication concurred with the shocking July 2021 discoveries in Canada that found remains of hundreds of indigenous children at the sites of several former residential schools.

Such atrocities and responsibility of their perpetrators should never be forgotten, nor shall the realisation of justice be ignored. Canada attempts to portray itself as putting efforts into adopting legislations and implementing policies in favour of respecting human values; however, the fact of the matter is far from the realities on the ground. For instance, Canada’s past role in attempted cultural genocide of its indigenous people is not a mystery to anyone anymore.

Mr. Chair,

Our sensibilities towards the crimes of the past should not downplay our insight into the ongoing transgressions and violations of the rights of the indigenous peoples. The Islamic Republic of Iran is of the view that foreign occupation deprives indigenous and native populations of their inalienable rights especially children who are often subjected to forcible transfers.

According to the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in the first half of 2021 alone, 320 Palestinian Children of Bedouin community became victims of forcible transfers after their homes were demolished, among other violations of their basic rights.

In conclusion, Mr. Chair, I would like to underscore the importance of “redress” regarding past and ongoing violations of the rights of the indigenous peoples as enshrined in Articles 8, 11 and 28 of the United Nation’s Declarations on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples. Only through concrete and step-by-step reparations plan, the promise of “never again” can be protected and safeguarded.

I thank you.