Statement by

Ms. Fatemeh Arab Bafrani

Second Secretary

Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

Before the Third Committee of the 77th Session of the General Assembly

On Agenda Item 65: “Rights of Indigenous Peoples”

General Discussion

New York, 12 October 2022

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

Madam. Chair,

Indigenous peoples are legatees and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of living. They are, in some way, a source of inspiration for the global community. Indigenous people make up 6 percent of the global population, are nearly three times as likely to be living in extreme poverty compared to their non-indigenous, and their life expectancy is up to 20 years lower than the life expectancy of non-indigenous people worldwide, nevertheless, they safeguard 80 percent of the world’s remaining biodiversity.

Indigenous people encounter an abundance of challenges, including violence and discrimination, separating their children from indigenous communities, destructive effects of toxics and chemicals on the earth and their lands, climate change, lack of equal opportunities to utilize their native languages, disproportionate access to IT, disrespect to their collective rights, violating the rights of indigenous women and children, and forced sterilization.

We take note of what the Expert Mechanism is calling for about the necessity of adopting preventive measures by States, such as the promotion of the political, social and economic empowerment of indigenous women and girls, reaffirming their right to land ownership and control over natural resources.

Mr. Chair,

The biggest threat to human rights comes from hypocrisy, politicization and double standards. Iran has never practiced slavery, colonized other nations, or uprooted indigenous communities. Iran has never advocated for racism or racial supremacy. But some specific countries that present themselves as the only defenders of human rights are themselves allegedly accused of numerous violations of human rights, including the human rights of indigenous people. The Islamic Republic of Iran is deeply concerned about systematic discrimination imposed against indigenous populations in the United States, Canada, and the colonies of the UK.

In Canada, according to the report of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on violence against indigenous children[1], poverty among indigenous children stands at 69 percent compared with 13 percent for children in general. In this country, systematic and historic drawbacks against indigenous peoples in terms of access to health, education and employment is widely concerning. Canada must take a serious look at its treatment of indigenous peoples and also, their dark history of ethnic cleansing of poor native children at the site of its residential schools.

In the United States, structural racism in law enforcement and the judiciary system has left the global community concerned about the fate of indigenous communities. In this Country, indigenous children were forced to move to residential schools far from their families where they were made to feel that their way of life was “primitive” or “sinful”. This is while the (UNDRIP) indicates that indigenous peoples and individuals are free and equal to all other peoples and individuals and have the right not to be discriminated against in the exercise of their rights.

Historic and systemic racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, maintained by the legacy of colonialization lead to high levels of poverty and significant gaps in access to opportunities and well-being between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.

Acknowledging what was mentioned, serious human rights violations against the indigenous people in these States call us for urgent action.

Mr. Chair,

Indigenous peoples` role in preserving biodiversity should be commended and taken into great consideration, indeed. States should take steps to advance the realization of the right of indigenous peoples and honor and respect them in good faith, based on justice, democracy, respect for human rights, and non-discrimination as the main goals behind the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The indigenous peoples must be able to exercise their rights to self-determination, land, territories and natural resources, and to determine their own development, autonomy and identity.

I thank you

[1]- contained in document E/C.19/2022/4