WUNRN
The Sami
people (also Sámi, Saami, Lapps, sometimes also Laplanders)
are the indigenous people of northern Europe inhabiting Sápmi,
which today encompasses parts of northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Kola
Peninsula of Russia.
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SCROLL DOWN TO PHOTO OF TRADITIONAL
SAMI WOMAN
IN NORWAY SEWING HER WEDDING DRESS.
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UN Press Release - 16 April 2010
UN
Expert on Indigenous People Supports Restart of Negotiations on Nordic Sami
Convention
ROVANIEMI,
FINLAND – The UN Special Rapporteur on indigenous people, James Anaya, welcomed
the agreement in principle of the European Nordic governments to restart
negotiations on a Nordic Sami convention with the participation of Sami
leaders. The Sami of north-western Europe are the indigenous people in the northern
parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.
“The proposed
convention has the potential to strengthen Sami self-determination and
protections for their rights to lands, natural resources and culture, in the
face of ongoing human rights challenges,” Mr. Anya said after a three-day
encounter with representatives of the Sami parliaments and NGO’s, as well as
State officials from all the Nordic countries in which Sami people live.
“The challenges
ahead in Sápmi are no doubt significant, and to meet them requires serious
commitment, political will, and hard work,” noted the independent expert
mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor the situation of human
rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people. “However, I am encouraged
by the commitment of all parts and the progress that has already been made in
advancing the human rights of indigenous peoples within the region.”
From 14-16
April, Mr. Anaya met with indigenous and State representatives to discuss key
issues affecting Sami people across the Sápmi region, including their right to
self-determination; rights to land, water, and natural resources; and issues
involving children and youth, specially education and language.
“I hope that
this novel visit will be regarded as a good practice for addressing the human
rights concerns of indigenous peoples that continue to live within their
traditional territories spanning the formal boundaries of several States,” the
Special Rapporteur said.
“I am grateful
to the Sami Parliaments of Norway, Sweden and Finland and to the Nordic
Governments for their participation in this important conference,” said Mr.
Anaya, who also expressed his gratitude to the Sami Parliamentary Council for
their help organizing the visit and to the Government of Finland for hosting
it.
The Special
Rapporteur intends to draft a report with his observations and recommendations
on central issues, which he hopes will help advance solutions to ongoing
challenges, while building on relevant progress and good practices already
achieved.
On
26 March 2008, the Human Rights Council appointed Professor S. James Anaya as
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of
indigenous peoples, for an initial period of three years. Professor Anaya
is the James J. Lenoir Professor of Human Rights Law and Policy at the
University of Arizona (USA).
Learn
more about the mandate and activities of the Special Rapporteur:
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Link to 109-Page Nordic Sami
Convention proposed - 2007:
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The
Nordic Sami Convention: International Human Rights, Self-Determination and
Other Central Provisions
Gáldu
Čála – Journal of Indigenous Peoples Rights N o. 3/2007: Mattias Åhrén,
Martin Scheinin, John B. Henriksen
The
Nordic Sami Convention is a new international instrument / human rights convention
with the object ”to confirm and strengthen such rights for the Sami people as
toallow the Sami people to safeguard and develop their language, culture,
livelihoods and way of life with the least possible interference by national
borders” (Article 1).
_________________________________________________________________________
Saami Council - http://www.saamicouncil.net/?deptid=2167 -
2008
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KK2708-00: Sami woman sews yards of ribbon and trim onto her
wedding dress. Kautokeino. Norway.
© Bryan & Cherry Alexander Photography
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