The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Org - 20 Years of

8/7/2019 The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Org - 20 Years of

1/32

20 YEARS OF PROMOTING NONVIOLENCE, HUMANRIGHTS AND SELF-DETERMINATION

THE UNREPRESENTED NATIONS AND PEOPLES ORGANIZATIONTHE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS

11 FEBRUARY 1991 11 FEBRUARY 2011

UNPO 20TH ANNIVERSARY PUBLICATION

11 FEBRUARY 2011


2/32

2 UNPO 20TH ANNIVERSARY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM UNPO GENERAL SECRETARY MR. MARINO BUSDACHIN . . . 3

MESSAGE FROM UNPO PRESIDENT MR. NGAWANG CHOEPHEL . . . 4

MESSAGE FROM FIRST UNPO GENERAL SECRETARY, MR. MICHAEL VAN WALT VAN PRAAG . . . 5

ABOUT UNPO: A VISION FOR PEACE, HUMAN RIGHTS AND SELF-DETERMINATION . . . 6

UNPO TIMELINE . . . 12

A MESSAGE FROM MR. ERKIN ALPTEKIN, FORMER UNPO PRESIDENT . . . 15

UNPO MEMBER MAP . . . 16

UNPO ACTIVITIES . . . 18

MESSAGE FROM MR. LODI G. GYARI, SPECIAL ENVOY TO H.H. THE DALAI LAMA . . . 23

SUCCESS STORIES: UNPO MEMBERS BUILDING PEACE AND GAINING PROMINENCE . . . 24

THE CHALLENGES AHEAD . . . 26

MESSAGE FROM HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA . . . 27

MESSAGE FROM FORMER UNPO PRESIDENT MR. LEDUM MITEE . . . 28

MESSAGE FROM FORMER UNPO PRESIDENTAND CURRENT VICE PRESIDENT OF ZANZIBAR, MR.SEIF SHARIF HAMAD . . . 29

OUR SUPPORTERS . . . 31


3/32

FEBRUARY | 2011 3

A MESSAGE FROM UNPO GENERAL SECRETARY, MR. MARINO BUSDACHIN

UNPO is undoubtedly one of the most original and articulate organizationsaround the world. Its mere existence has been a challenge. But others haverepeatedly underlined the serious need for an organisation such as UNPO in

todays world.

During the time of its twenty years of existence, UNPO has faced one of themost cruel and violent periods of recent history. Genocide and terrorismbecame the central point of the International community of States and of the United Nations they became a routine part of life.

Questions regarding the implementation of the UN Charter; from respect for human rights to the right of self-determination never arise at the top of the UN agenda nor have any regulated guidelines for the ma-jor powers and States been established.

Despite this dramatic and unfavorable scenario UNPO has not been overcome by adverse conditions but,time by time it is becoming a success story.

The UNPO story has always been inspired by the political lives of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King,Ken Saro-Wiva (executed while UNPO vice President), and by HH the Dalai Lama who is honoring UNPOwith an important message for our forthcoming 20th anniversary.

There is a long line of Presidents and General Secretaries that have run the organisation; some Membersreached their goals while many others are still suffering severe oppression; all of them contributed at thebest to UNPO. Partners like International Campaign for Tibet, Taiwan Foundation for Democracy and theNonviolent Radical Party help UNPO in its more critical moments.

UNPO is no longer the organisation established in 1991. Its evolution has been marked by the relevant reforms adopted in 2006 in Taipei with a new Covenant. A new vision of the goals of UNPO has been set for the new millennium to affirm democracy as a fundamental human right, to implement human, civiland political rights at all levels and everywhere; to affirm the right of autonomy, federalism and self-determination in any country; to advance non-violent methodology as a real alternative to a violent andunfair world.

What has been done is a lot, but very little in face of the reasons and aspirations that led to the UNPOsfoundation. Our vision obliges us to exist; our members see UNPO as a major need.

But only commitment and determination will consent to give life to our dreams and to be for real in theneeds of the oppressed peoples.

Marino Busdachin

UNPO General Secretary


4/32


On behalf of the entire UNPO Membership, I wish to congratulateall concerned on the celebrations of the 20th Anniversary of theorganization which is an achievement of the unrepresentation Na-tions and Peoples we represent, especially at time when the geo-politics of the world has changed dramatically when the great vi-sion of UNPO was spearhead by the Founding Fathers in 1991.

During these past 20 years, UNPO contributed towards the realiza-tion of political solutions to many Members, including Aceh, Bou-

ganville, East Timor, Kosovo, Abkhazia and Zanzibar and at the same time alert the world about newsituations like that of Somaliland, Khmer Krom, Hmong and Montagnard peoples.

UNPO Presidency believes that a responsible and substantive contribution by Members to uphold thecore principles our organization can make UNPO more effective in achieving an end to gross and system-atic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms inflicted upon our peoples, including the de-nial of right to autonomy and self-determination.

UNPO Presidency also believes that we have to now look to the future success of our unique family in thenext decade by further bridging a closer relationship amongst our Members so that we all have the com-plete understanding of each other's freedom struggles that will strengthen UNPO's global network.

On behalf of UNPO Members, on this occasion of the 20th Anniversary we once again pledge to the worldof our total commitment to the principles of non-violence, human rights, self-determination, reconcilia-tion and environment.

Happy 20th Anniversary

Ngawang Choephel

UNPO President

A MESSAGE FROM UNPO PRESIDENT MR. NGAWANG CHOEPHEL


5/32

FEBRUARY | 2011 5

As UNPO was being created in an undisclosed locationacross from the KGB headquarters in Tartu, Estonia in a se-ries of secret meetings in 1989 and 1990, only very few peo-ple understood that the world was on the verge of monu-mental changes. By the time UNPO was officially inaugu-rated at the Peace Palace in the Hague the breakup of theSoviet Union was imminent, and with it the prospect of free-dom for many captive peoples. They were exciting times,and UNPO was in the middle of the changes that swept

across the world. Over the past 20 years many of UNPOs members have gained independence and othershave achieved new degrees of selfgovernment, of democracy, or human rights that have greatly improved the peoples lives and in some cases satisfied their current political needs. Others are involved inpeace and negotiation processes to achieve greater freedom for their peoples, while others are makingprogress within the political systems they form a part of. Despite this undeniable progress, too manypeoples and minorities are still unrecognised and their rights denied in all parts of the world. Many areimmersed in painful conflicts the world pays little attention to. UNPOs mission to be the platform of heunrepresented nations and peoples of the world and to promote the democratic and selfdeterminationrights of all its member peoples through non violent means is more crucial than ever.

This is especially true as we find ourselves in a more polarised and more violent world once again. Theenormous hope we experienced for positive change in the 1990s has been replaced by a climate of fear,intolerance, bigpower competition and hostility. One consequence is the increased repression inflictedupon many peoples under the guise of combating terrorism. Another is the destruction of the way of lifeof indigenous and other peoples in the race for the extraction of the remaining mineral, carbohydrateand forest resources of our planet. UNPOs task is not an easy one. I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the Presidency of UNPO, its General Secretary and the Secretariat staff, as well as all of the or-ganisations Members for the tremendous work you are undertaking and the impact you are making inthe world. It is my fervent hope that the dreams and aspirations that led to the creation of UNPO willsome day become reality, so that the organisation may no longer be needed. Inshallah!

Michael van Walt van Praag

A MESSAGE FROM FIRST GENERAL SECRETARY OF UNPO, MR. MICHAEL VANWALT VAN PRAAG


6/32


On 11 February 1991, representatives of 15 nations and peoples 1 came together at the seat of interna-tional law, the Peace Palace in The Hague, with a revolutionary idea. Representing occupied nations, in-

digenous peoples, minorities and other vulnerable or disenfranchised populations, their aim was to cre-ate an international forum where unrepresented nations and peoples could air their legitimate griev-ances. In pursuit of peace for their peoples and respect for human rights, these representatives joinedtogether on the steps of the International Court of Justice in a pact for world peace. The result of thismeeting was the establishment of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO), a body

ABOUT UNPO A VISION FOR PEACE, HUMAN RIGHTS AND SELF-DETERMINATION


7/32

FEBRUARY | 2011 7

whose existence is as crucial today asit was twenty years ago.

The UNPO members meeting at TheHague served as the first general as-sembly of members, drafting and

agreeing to the covenant that servesas the organizations founding charter. This treaty binds Members to-gether in an agreement to work forhuman rights for all peoples, in rec-ognition of the interconnected natureof their struggles. It also offers anavenue of hope, suggesting specificpaths for peace. The covenant contains five core principals which all Members must vow to uphold: 1)

the equal right to self-determination of all nations and peoples; 2) adherence to the internationally ac-cepted human rights standards as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other in-ternational instruments; 3) adherence to the principles of democratic pluralism and rejection of totali-tarianism and religious intolerance; 4) promotion of nonviolence and the rejection of terrorism as an in-strument of policy; and 5) protection of the natural environment.

The founders of UNPO were engaged in a common struggle to preserve their cultural identities, protect the basic human rights of their peoples and advocate for a rights-based approach to international rela-tions. A significant aspiration of these representatives was to regain recognition for their peoples as ac-tive participants in global politics. Too often, their peoples faced extermination at the hands of colonizing

powers and invisibility in interna-tional institutions. Rather than ac-cepting this fate, UNPO membersbanded together to secure the right of self-determination for all peoples.As noted in its covenant, UNPO is not an organization for unrepresentedpeoples; it is an organization of thesepeoples, serving as a forum for shar-

ing experiences and developing non-violent strategies for addressingtheir problems.

THE CONTEXT

UNPOs entrance into the international arena occurred at an impor-tant moment in history. Reporter

Sarah Lambert observed that [t]he roll -call of founding Members embraces most of the worlds flashpoints and conjures up powerful images of peoples that one thought belonged to another era. 2 The ideaof UNPO was a significant step in the dawn of the post-Cold War period. Indeed, the establishment of

Founding Members of UNPO, February 1991


8/32


UNPO occurred as part of anemerging global human rightsmovement which followed the endof the Cold War. As journalist Frank Viviano noted, [t]he trend isbeing encouraged not only by wid-ening access to the media but alsoby the end of the Cold War, whichhas made it easier for nationalgroups to assert themselves andfor outsiders to take up their causewithout being accused of further-

ing the interests of rival power orthreatening the security of the host state. The end of the ideological rigidity is also creating a climate inwhich there can be more sympathy for political, religious and cultural diversity. 3

Even before the founders came together in The Hague to sign the covenant, UNPO attracted global atten-tion and gained recognition as a groundbreaking parallel political experiment in global governance. Oneheadline, a week before signing of the covenant, read, Unrepresented Peoples Plan to Set Up AlternativeU.N.4 The UNPO membership wanted to assure the world that it wasnt creating a coalition to incite further conflict. The aim of UNPOs Members is to be included in the family of nations as equals, not as acompeting entity. As drafted in the preamble, the organization is not intended to create an alliance of participating Nations and Peoples against established States or against any individual State or groups of States. Rather, as Menelzos Tzelios, a founding Member, said, This organization gives us and many othernations and peoples a chance to express our feelings, to voice our concerns. Other international organiza-tions are not open to us. This gives us hope. 5

Two decades later, a steady stream of indigenous, minority and unrecognized peoples continues to ap-proach UNPO for membership. Founded by just fifteen groups, the organization has experienced as-tounding growth in its last twenty years and currently boasts 53 official Members. After more than twodecades worth of work in world politics, UNPO has seen a number of successes. Since the founding of UNPO, six Members have been admitted to the UN: Estonia, Latvia, Armenia, Georgia, Palau and East Timor (Timor-Leste). Nevertheless, the initial purpose of UNPO remains, as evidenced by the significant and continuous growth in groups seeking representation through UNPO membership. This growth

clearly demonstrates the real need being fulfilled by the organization.

The driving force for the UNPO existence is summarized by its founding General Secretary, I find it absolutely unbelievable that people like Tibetans, the Kurds and the elected leaders of Burma are not in-cluded in international discussions about their own fates. Each nation should have the right to decide itsown destiny and to manage its own environment. 6

PROMOTING NONVIOLENCE AND SELF-DETERMINATION

One of the principal objectives of UNPO is the prevention of violence and the peaceful resolution of dis-putes. UNPO employs a number of methods, both direct and indirect, to achieve this goal.

One of UNPOs methods for the prevention of disputes is the use of its unique early warning capabilities.

UNPO Members with flags at 1995 General Assembly


9/32

FEBRUARY | 2011 9

UNPO works with Members to identify instances of increased imbalance in an area and reduce the possi-bility of violence through preventive practices and diplomatic efforts. UNPO is a grassroots organization,maintaining close contact with Members who have direct lines of communication with the peoples theyrepresent. This allows UNPO to gather timely and vital information about emerging conflicts. It is also aglobal movement, sending this vital information to capitols and centers for conflict resolution. Recogniz-ing the importance of open and direct communication in preventive diplomacy, UNPO facilitates meet-ings between its Members and representatives of state governments, international organizations, NGOsand the media. This early warning and action system allows for timely global action, supplementing in-ternational bodies that lack either the strength or the speed necessary to anticipate and act on crises in a

timely manner. Chechnya, Ogoni (Nigeria), East Timor, Kosova and Aceh are just a few examples in whichUNPO has sounded an early warning prior to the outbreak of severe violence and loss of life. Unfortu-nately, UNPOs warnings have often gone unheeded by the international community, which continues togive very little weight to the legitimate grievances expressed by such nations and peoples.

In support of this early warning and action program,UNPO undertakes field missions to regions of conflict.Such missions provide important third party mediationand support to conflict resolution mechanisms, promot-ing de-escalation of emerging conflicts while advocatingfor changes in the context that produced the conflict.Such changes include the democratization of governanceand the respect for human rights. UNPOs field work supplements and supports efforts by international NGOs andthe UN, and provides assistance to indigenous, minorityand unrecognized peoples from election monitoring to me-diation between segments of society.

In addition to directly acting to quell potential and ongoing outbreaks of violence, UNPO offers alterna-tive paths for Members to secure fundamental freedoms. UNPO offers training and support for nonvio-lent methods of activism. Where these nonviolent struggles are met with violent repression, UNPO servesas a witness and advocate, protecting vulnerable peoples by bringing these instances to the attention of the international community and bringing international pressure to bear on the offending parties.

A MESSAGE FROM MR. HARRY VAN BOMMEL, MEMBER OF THE DUTCH PARLIAMENT FORTHE SOCIALIST PARTY

UNPO provides the necessary assistance to peoples without a voice in in-ternational organizations as the UN and the EU. In my parliamentary ac-tivities I closely work together with UNPO to serve the interests of these

peoples. The Kurds, the Uyghurs, the Tibetans, the Palestinians and all theother unrepresented peoples find their ways to UNPO and through UNPOthey can be heard. Their fundamental freedoms are often neglected intheir country of origin. I see it as my mission to support their struggle forfreedom and respect. Human rights are universal and the UN Declarationof Human Rights provides a solid basis fort his struggle. Together withUNPO I wish to promote these rights wherever and whenever needed.

Harry van Bommel, MP for the Socialist Party in the Netherlands

UNPO Mission to Hawaii, 1996


10/32


The promotion of the concept of self-determination is another important part of UNPOs work for peace. Whileinternational law recognizes theright of nations to freely determinetheir own form of governance andpolitical representation, this legalprinciple is silent on what consti-tutes a nation, and how nationsshould go about making such deci-sions. While the concept of self-determination has been inconsis-tently and ambiguously interpretedwithin the realm of internationalpower politics and international

law, 7 UNPO asserts that all peopleshave the right to self-determination, and that only through the recognition of this right can stability beestablished. As noted by scholars, unresolved disputes over self -determination have formed the basisfor the vast majority of violent conflicts in the world since 1945. 8 Indeed, civil conflict accounted for allbut three of the wars that broke out in the twelve year period beginning in 1990, and accounted for 90percent of civilian and combatant battle deaths during this period. 9

When Mr. van Walt van Praag became the first foreigner to be granted a visa to Estonia as an independ-ent nation, he commented on the cause of conflict and the possible remedies for peace, arguing that in-

stability is not a result of movements for freedom but rather the long periods of oppression which thepeople involved in such movements have faced. Stability requires that individual nations and peoples beallowed to develop varying forms of self-determination. When such voluntary processes are denied, in-stability is introduced. UNPO strongly believes that lasting stability is only possible where equality, freechoice and mutual benefit underlie the relations among the worlds peoples. Mr. van Walt van Praagsums up this view with the following statement:

We must move away from the misguided view of stability premised on immediateor short-term economic and political considerations to a long-term perspectivewhich will ensure the peaceful co-existence of all peoples. Universal recognitionand support for peoples right to self-determination is the cornerstone of a truly peaceful and stable world. 10

Contrary to popular perception, self-determination does not necessarily imply secession, separate na-tionhood, or even autonomy; this term simply refers to the right of all peoples to freely determine theirpolitical status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. The exercise of thisright can result in a variety of outcomes, ranging from political independence to full integration within anexisting state.

Since 1991 the non-violent methods by which UNPO achieves its goals have been recognized throughout the world. UNPO has been awarded the 1991 Tolerance Award, 1992 Social Innovation Award (The Body

Ogoni protest in the Niger Delta, November 2007


11/32

FEBRUARY | 2011 11

Shop), 1998 Petra Kelly Peace Award (Heinrich Bll Foundation) and nominated for 1993 Nobel PeacePrize and 1994 Right Livelihood Award.

HOW UNPO WORKS

UNPO provides an avenue for advocacy at the international level for nations and peoples that have beenexcluded, and in extreme cases exterminated, through centuries of slave labor and state-sanctioned legis-lation. UNPO provides services to assist Members at the UN and regional mechanisms. It also providesconflict resolution services, assistance and advocacy in strategic planning for peace and justice efforts,election and referendum monitoring in democracy building, as well as trainings which enhance empow-erment and allow for cultural preservation and promotion through capacity building.

UNPO builds on this important element of indigenous advocacy through training programs in diplomacy,legal activism and continued consultation and advice, human rights protection and promotion, democ-ratic principles and practice, media relations and nonviolence skills and strategies. The skills developedand strategies designed in such trainings are applied to advocacy through international mechanisms.UNPO Members, with the assistance and support provided by UNPO, engage in the vast and complexprocesses of the United Nations. Through these and other efforts, Members develop the diplomatic andnegotiation skills necessary to navigate among the intricate international political balances.

As a core channel of communication between the peoples in their communities and global civil society,the UNPO secretariat aims to keep international organizations, governments, NGOs and the media in-formed, providing a unique perspective to the global discussion. UNPO serves as catalyst among partiesinvolved in seeking solutions to conflicts, and is also involved on the ground, serving as an intermediary

between parties in conflict. The organization is uniquely capable of carrying out this role, as it has thetrust and confidence of its Member nations and peoples and at the same time it enjoys a level of recogni-tion in the international community which provides access to expertise and credibility . 11

Notes:

(1) Present at this founding meeting were representatives from Tibet, Taiwan, Kurdistan, East Turkestan, Latvia, Tatarstan,Palau (Belau), Australian Aboriginals, Cordillera, West Papua, Estonia, Armenia, Georgia, the Greek Minority in Albania and the Crimean Tatars.

(2) Sarah Lambert, Worlds minorities seek a voice, The Independent, 7 August 1991, p. 16.

(3) Frank Viviano, Worlds Wannabe Nations Sound Off, San Francisco Chronicle, 31 January 1995, p. A6.

(4) Unrepresented Peoples Plan to Set Up Alternative U.N., The Wall Street Journal Europe, February 5, 1991.

(5) George de Lama, Stateless peoples seek to state their cause, Chicago Tribune, 14 February, 1993, p. 23

(6) Jeff Greenwald, Getting the World to Listen, Los Angeles Times, 23 April 1992, p. E1, E6.

(7) FitzGerald, Valpy, Frances Stewart and Rajesh Venugopal (2006). Globalization, Self-Determination and Violent Conflict Palgrave Macmillan. 2006, Hampshire. p. 3.

(8) FitzGerald, Valpy, Frances Stewart and Rajesh Venugopal (2006). Globalization, Self-Determination and Violent Conflict Palgrave Macmillan. 2006, Hampshire. p. 6.

(9) Lacina, Bethany (2006). Explaining the Severity of Civil Wars Journal of Conflict Resolution. Vol. 50 No. 2, pp. 276 289. p. 276.

(10) The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization: The First Decade,(The Netherlands: Drukkerij Brummelkamp, 2001), p. 9.

(11) The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization: The First Decade,(The Netherlands: Drukkerij Brummelkamp, 2001), p. 7.


12/32


1991: UNPO Founding Assembly and Second General Assembly.

1992: Mission to KosovaMission to Abkhazia, Georgia and the Northern Caucuses

1993: Third General Assembly, The Hague.Mission to Abkhazia and GeorgianReport on the Human Rights Situation in the Cordillera, the Philippines,

June.Report on the National and Human Rights Situation of the Albanians inKosova

1994: Report on Trial of Leaders of Greek Minority in AlbanianMission to Greek Minority in AlbanianMission to Taiwan

1995: Fourth General Assembly, The Hague.Report on Yakutsk, Sakha RepublicReport on Republic of Ingushetia and Chechen Republic of IchkeriaMission to Rwanda (Batwa)Mission to OgonilandMission to Zanzibar

1996: Mission to Abkhazia/GeorgiaMission to the Sakha Republic (Yakutia)Mission to Sanjak Mission to Hawaii

1997: Fifth General Assembly, Otteppaa, Estonia.Mission to Chechen Republic Ichkeria for Presidential & Primary ElectionsMission to Tibet Report on Peace Action Council Mission to Tanzania

1998: Sixth General Assembly (Extraordinary Session), Geneva, Switzerland.Barcelona UNESCO Conference, The Implementation of the Right to Self -

Determination as a Contribution to Conflict Prevention

1999: Universal Declaration on the Rights of People drafted after threemeetings; adopted at the Seventh GA.

2000: Ten Years of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization andthe Rights of Peoples; conference organized in Tallinn, Estonia

2001: Seventh General Assembly, Tallinn, Estonia.Report on Taiwans Legislative Yuan and Magistrate Elections

2002: Round Table Discussion on the Decolonization held at Secretariat officewith the participation of ten UNPO Members

2003: UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations, 21st Session

2004: UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 3rd SessionUN Working Group on Indigenous Populations, 22nd Session

UNPO TIMELINE

Tibet Mission 1997

Chechnya mission 1995

The late Ken Saro Wiwa

Second General Assembly 1991

Batwa mission 1995


13/32

FEBRUARY | 2011 13

2005: UN Commission on Human Rights, 61st SessionUN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 4th Session,Seventh General Assembly, The Hague, the NetherlandsUN Working Group on Indigenous Populations, 23rd SessionElection Monitoring Mission to ZanzibarConference on Peace, Stability and Security in East Asia: The Questionof China Taiwan, The Hague, the Netherlands

2006: UN Commission on Human Rights, 62nd SessionUN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 5th SessionUN Working Group on Indigenous Populations, 24th SessionUN Human Rights Council, 1st SessionEight General Assembly, Taipei, Taiwan

2007: UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 6th SessionUN Human Rights Council, 5th Session

Democracy and Human Rights: Leadership Seminar for UyghursInternational Day of Non-ViolenceIraqi Turkmen: The Human Rights Situation and Crisis in Kerkuk,European Parliament

2008: UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 7th SessionUN Human Rights Council, 8th SessionSpeak Out! Human Rights Training, Belgium and the NetherlandsDe Facto States Conference, European Parliament Kerkuk Problem and Article 140:Defining Alternatives, European Parliament Population Transfer: The Baltic States and the Tibetan Experience,EstoniaUyghur Leadership Training Seminar, Berlin

2009: Earth Exploitation and Survival CampaignIraqi Provincial Elections Observation Mission, IraqHuman Rights and the Question of Democratization and Federalism inIran, European Parliament, BrusselsPeace & Security and the de facto State Conference, European Parliament

East Turkestan: 60 Years Under the PRC, Washington UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 7th SessionPromoting a Culture of Non-Violence with Mr. Arun Gandhi, TheHague5 th Session of the UPR Working Group, UN Human Rights Council,large demonstration outside UN with Khmer-Krom.Balochistan Side Event at 11th Session of the UN Human Rights CouncilLiberation from the Legacy of Colonialism: An Indigenous Voice forSelf-Determination in Asia-Pacific, Khmer Krom Conference, ParisUyghur Delegation Meeting at the European Parliament following July

5 unrest in Urumqi, BrusselsKurdistan Election Monitoring MissionWorld Uyghur Congress Hearing in the European Parliament

Maasai at UNPFII 2006

Nonviolence sculpture at UN

Palais des Nations, Geneva, 2010

Khmer Krom March 2006

Khmer Krom Rally


14/32


Visit to Mapucheland, Chile2nd session of the Forum on Minority Issues5th Parliamentary Assembly on Tibet, RomeInternational Day of Human Rights event,Manifesto Presented to Dutch Parliament, The HagueTibet: Autonomy v Independence Turin, Italy Rebiya Kadeer visit to the Netherlands

2010:Visit to Ogoniland, Human Rights Training and Fielf Visits, Nigeria8th Presidency, Rome. Conference on the principle of non-refoulement 7th Session of the Working Group on the UPR Iran under review. Lobbying Mission and parallel event 76th session on the Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, CambodiaConference on human rights in Pakistan, demonstration, UN, GenevaConference on Dialogue in the Situation of Human Rights of Minorities in South Asia, UN, GenevaInterventions during the 13th Session of the Human Rights CouncilHearing on Human Rights in Ogaden, European Parliament, BrusselsCrimean Tatar European Parliament Conference

Movies That Matter Film Festival- Rebiya Kadeer in the Netherlands United Nations Permanent Forum onIndigenous Issues New York, USAKhmer Krom youth conference, PhiladelphiaUyghur Training and Conference, European Parliament, BrusselsConference: Democratic Movement in Iran: Pitfalls and Potential, Italian Parliament, RomeHearing at the Italian Senate on minorities in Iran, RomeSpeak Out! Indigenous Voices, Human Rights Training for Youth, The HagueUNPO Training on Human Rights and Activism for Degar-MontagnardMembers, South Carolina, USAUNPO Digital Democracy Side Event at 15 h Session of UN Human RightsCouncil, UN, GenevaCEDAW Pre-Sessional Working Group: Ethiopia, UN, GenevaCAT review of Ethiopia, UN, GenevaGilgit-Baltistan Conference, European Parliament, Brussels15 th Anniversary of the Execution of former UNPO Vice Chair, Ken Saro Wiwa, public event and commemo-rative concert The Hague,.Working visit to investigate situation of the Batwa, RwandaUNPO Delegation to the UN Forum on Minority Issues, Geneva

2011: Visit to Mapucheland, ChileRebiya Kadeer visit to Europe; meetings in Dutch and European Parliaments

10th

Session of the UPR Working Group, RwandaKashgar conference, European Parliament, Brussels

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: THE DALAI LAMA VISITS UNPO IN THE HAGUE (2009); NNEKA PERFORMS AT A 2010 ME-MORIAL CONCERT COMMEMORATING THE DEATH OF KEN SARO WIWA; 2010 UNPO MISSION TO BATWA (RWANDA)


15/32

FEBRUARY | 2011 15

As a Uyghur from East Turkestan, I was thrilled when the ideawas put forward to create an organization uniting peoplesand nations not represented in the United Nations during aconference held in London in 1990. This idea led to the foun-

dation of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organiza-tion (UNPO) in 1991. Our goal was to offer a platform to thosepeoples that do not have the opportunity to be part of the es-tablished international organizations.

It is estimated that there are 6,500 peoples and ethnic groupsin the world of which less than 200 are represented in the United Nations. Hence the necessity of provid-ing marginalized peoples with a framework enabling them to help each other. UNPO gives a voice tothose who otherwise would never have one.

Some of our Members want full recognition in the form of a sovereign and independent state. Othersmerely wish respect for their fundamental rights, especially in the cultural domain. It is the spirit of mu-tual respect, where no one group tries to impose its objectives on the others, that allows peoples to co-exist within UNPO. UNPO is, above all, a platform that each of us use to promote our issues. We share thesame pillow, even though we have different dreams.

Our Members adhere to non-violence, respect for human rights, self-determination and democracy, andmutual tolerance. The criteria of non-violence may seem in contradiction with the reality that some of our Members were engaged in an armed struggle. This is often purely in self-defense, in order to surviveas a people. I think our position can be summarized as follows: violence is unacceptable as long as thereare ways of making ourselves heard. Wherever the possibility exists, peoples should reaffirm their exis-tence and pursue their objectives through peaceful ways of expression. In its 20 th year of existence, UNPOhas accomplished much: the voices of more than 70 peoples are now heard. International recognition of UNPO as a legitimate forum where peoples can address problems and open dialogue with governments isgrowing. However, many challenges still lie ahead of us. Everywhere states are intensifying their politicsof oppression, cultural assimilation and economic exploitation by force. Perhaps the greatest threat to usunrepresented peoples is the loss of our identity. We all have different dreams but our primary mutualobjective is to see our own culture and uniqueness flourish in our homelands. This wish is the same forUyghurs, Tibetans and the Inner Mongols, for the Mapuche of Chile, the Australian Aboriginals, the Batwa

of Rwanda and the Chechen people in Russia.

As one of the forefathers of the idea of UNPO, its former vice chairman and former interim General Secre-tary, I would like to reiterate my commitment to our organization. I am sure that UNPO will lead us into anew and brighter millennium and will continue to strive for peaceful realization of our dreams.

Erkin Alptekin

A MESSAGE FROM MR. ERKIN ALPTEKIN, FORMER UNPO GENERAL SECRETARY


16/32


ABKHAZIA

ABORIGINALS OF AUSTRALIA

AFRIKANER

AHWAZ

ASSYRIA

BALOCHISTAN

BATWA

BURMA

BURYATIA

CABINDA

CHIN

CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS

CIRCASSIA

CORDILLERA

CRIMEAN TATARS

DEGAR-MONTAGNARDS

EAST TURKESTAN

GILGIT BALTISTAN

GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA

HMONG CHAOFA

HUNGARIANS IN ROMANIA

INNER MONGOLIA

IRANIAN KURDISTAN

IRAQI KURDISTAN

IRAQI TURKMEN

KA LAHUI HAWAII

KARENNI

WORLD MAP OF UNPO MEMBERS (AS OF FEBURARY 2011)


17/32

FEBRUARY | 2011 17

KHMER KROM

KOSOVA

MAASAI

MAPUCHE

MON

MORO

NAGALIM

OGADEN

OGONI

OROMO

REHOBOTH BASTERS

SANJAK

SCANIA

SINDH

SOMALILAND

SOUTHERN AZERBAIJAN

SOUTHERN CAMEROONS

SOUTH MOLUCCAS

TAIWAN

TIBET

TSIMSHIAN

TUVA

UDMURT

VHAVENDA

WEST BALOCHISTAN

ZANZIBAR


18/32


UNPO AT THE UNITED NATIONS

Drawing attention to issues affecting marginalized groups at the United Nations has been a central focusof UNPOs work over the past 20 years. The aim of the organization is to ensure that UNPO Members areable to effectively access and take part in discussions within the international bodies mandated to pro-tect their rights. Members have participated in various sessions of the Human Rights Council, the Perma-nent UN Forum on Minority Issues and the UN Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues. UNPO has alsocontinued to contribute to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, an initiative launched in 2008 toreview the human rights records of UN Member States, both in terms of submitting reports and attendingsessions. Expanding its work to consider Treaty Body mechanisms, UNPO has also participated in theCommittee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimina-tion Against Women, the Committee Against Torture and the Human Rights Committee. Over the past two decades UNPO has vastly increased its capacity to help facilitate discussion on minority issues in in-ternational arenas.

UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW PROCESS

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a statedriven process involving the review of the humanrights records of all 192 UN Member States once every four years. UNPO has been contributing tothe UPR since its inception, having previously submitted reports to be considered as part of thereviews of Argentina, Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Cameroon, Chile, China, Ethiopia,

Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, South Africa,Ukraine and Vietnam to be considered for several States Joint Stakeholders Reports; which contains the collective contributions from nongovernmental organizations on human rights concerns

UNPO ACTIVITIES

UNPO representatives in front of the Palais des Nations, headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva


19/32

FEBRUARY | 2011 19

and is presented to the State Under Review. UNPOalso attended sessions to advocate for these issuesto be included on the agenda. UNPO is frequentlyand increasingly cited in UPR reports, demon-strating not only a marked improvement inUNPOs capacity and influence, but also the valueof the information brought to light by UNPO.UNPO also arranges for Members to attend thesessions, allowing them to observe the processand draw attention to important issues.

UN PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS IS-SUES

The UNPFII is an advisory body to the Economicand Social Council that meets annually for twoweeks in New York to discuss indigenous issuesrelated to economic and social development, cul-ture and human rights. UNPO assists its Membersin taking advantage of this important and rare op-portunity for indigenous groups to directly ad-dress the United Nations and its member states,and make their voices heard at the highest levelsof the international system.

HUMAN RIGHTS TREATY BODIES

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) coordinates ninehuman rights treaty bodies which monitor the implementation of the core international humanrights treaties by signatory states. These include the Committee on Economic Social and CulturalRights (CESCR), the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), the Committeeon the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Committee Against Torture(CAT) & Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT), and the Committee on En-forced Disappearance (CED), which entered into force in 2010. UNPO is actively engaged with the

work of many of these treaty bodies as it relates to UNPO Members. This engagement includes thesubmission of detailed reports prior to the meetings of the committees, the coordination of delega-tions of UNPO staff and Member representatives to give testimony at the committee meetings, andmonitoring and follow- up on countries implementation of recommendations issued by the committees. This work has been highly successful in recent years, gaining increasing recognition by thecommittee members, and as a result, greater influence in the work of the committees and their re-sulting recommendations.

UN FORUM ON MINORITY ISSUES

The Forum on Minority Issues was established to provide a platform for promoting dialogue andcooperation on issues pertaining to national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. It also pro-

Above: Room XX at the Palais des Nations

Below: Representing Iranian Kurdistan, Mr. Logh-man Ahmedi makes a statement to the UN Forum onMinority Issues


20/32


vides thematic input into the work of the Independent Expert on Minority Issues. The first sessionof the Forum was convened in 2008; since that time, UNPO has coordinated two large delegationsof Member representatives to the Forum. These delegations were both highly successful in facili-tating the participation of UNPO Members and building stronger connections with external com-munities of minority groups, advocates, experts and United Nations officials.

UNPO DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE PROGRAM

Democracy is a central tenet of UNPOs work. In support of this tenet, UNPO engages in election monitoring missions where appropriate. The documentation produced by these missions as well as its dissemi-nation on an international scale strengthens democracy and good governance in the states involved. Oneof UNPOs first missions sent representatives to Abkhazia, Georgia and the Northern Caucasus to investigate the ongoing conflict in the region. One of the major aims of the mission was to research possible me-

diation and negotiation strategies involving the major parties. The mission met with elected officials, dip-lomats, international humanitarian agencies, NGOs and victims of the violence, and it recorded wide-spread violations of human rights from both sides. UNPO called for major parties to begin negotiating aceasefire, and for the newly appointed OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities to make an offi-cial visit to the region. More recently, UNPO undertook an election-monitoring mission in Iraqi Kurdi-stan. This mission was intended to examine the conduct of the 25 July 2009 parliamentary and presiden-tial elections in the region's Erbil Governorate. UNPO issued a number of recommendations based on itsobservations during the mission, including calls for improved voter education, better training for elec-toral staff, encouragement of independent media coverage and support for civil society engagement.

UNPO AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

An expanding and dynamic European Union has increasingly become a forum within which issues affect-ing UNPO Members are debated and where their presence and visibility has consequently become of great importance. UNPO has dedicated considerable efforts to working with an expanding network of partners within the European Parliament, ensuring that UNPO Members are able to make efficient andeffective use of its political instruments. UNPO Members are increasingly included in relevant highlevelhearings, panels and conferences, and UNPO has arranged a number of meetings between MEPs andMember representatives. The UNPO Secretariat has also been able to monitor and react to positions of the European Parliament as never before, lobbying for the inclusion of Member issues in resolutions, re-ports and circulated letters, and promoting this through an expanding international media network.

UNPO IN THE NETHERLANDS

Founded at the Peace Palace in The Hague, UNPO has always had close ties to the Netherlands and theMunicipality of The Hague. The city is the international home of peace and justice themes which under-pin the ethos of UNPO. A base in the Netherlands allows UNPO to make strong international links, con-necting those suffering the consequences of exclusion and exploitation with appropriate mechanismsunder which these issues can be addressed. UNPO maintains a close relationship with the Dutch Parlia-ment as well as the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Dutch government is often a leader in foreign


21/32

FEBRUARY | 2011 21

policy related to human rights and situations of armed conflict. UNPO Members are provided withan opportunity to provide their input into debatesmade by representatives of the Dutch government,informing Dutch decision-making and raising theprofile of UNPO Members.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

UNPO organizes and takes part in conferencesaround the globe. Such events are an important ele-ment of UNPOs work. Conferences allow UNPOMembers to share their knowledge and insight into

their regions. The knowledge brought into and gen-erated by conferences also plays an important rolein guiding the work of UNPO. Many conferencestake place in aptly chosen locations such as national

parliaments where other lobbying activities andbriefings can take place.

DEMONSTRATIONS AND EVENTS

UNPO regularly organizes and hosts demonstra-tions and events by Member groups and associa-tions of Member groups; the aim of these pro-grams is to increase awareness and visibility of itsMembers and their issues. Target groups of theseevents include the general public, local and inter-national media and influential public officials.

OUTREACH AND APPEALS

UNPO has made significant advancements over thepast 20 years in improving its visibility as well asits communication with Members and interestedparties. UNPO is constantly seeking contactswithin the fields of journalism and advocacy, andhas made a number of advancements in this re-gard. UNPO aims to improve the presence of its

Members in the news media; this is accomplishedthrough the submission of op-eds and letters to ma-jor newspapers, as well as cultivating a reputation

Uyghur demonstration in The Hague, 2010

Conference on Iran, Italian Parliament, Rome

Michael van Walt van Praag makes a statement at a publicevent in The Hague honoring the life of Ogoni activist andformer UNPO Vice President Ken Saro Wiwa


22/32


as a reliable source of first-handknowledge and information forjournalists and policy-makers.UNPO reacts quickly to news af-fecting Members by issuing urgent appeals, campaigns and state-ments of condemnation or con-cern. Additionally, UNPO regularlyproduces publications addressingtopics of concern to its Membersfrom their perspective, contribut-ing valuable insight to a number of highly relevant debates.

EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION TRAININGPROGRAMUNPO is committed to helping Members be-come more effectively involved in national,regional and international mechanisms to as-sert their opinions and concerns. While humanrights violations often require context-specificaction, a wide range of Members have gained

important knowledge of the options for actionthrough training programs provided by UNPO.Trainings take place upon request by Mem-bers, often in parallel to highlevel meetings at the United Nations and the European Parlia-ment as well as in local Member communities.Continuity and transfer of knowledge and skillsto a younger generation is considered fundamental to the work of UNPO. These trainings utilize the trainthetrainer technique, which has the benefit of significant multiplier effects. UNPOs initiatives focus oninteractive training methods and problem-based learning, contributing and providing space for interac-tive dialogue.

Participants take part in a lively discussion at SpeakOut!, aUNPO hosted training for indigenous youth activists

UNPO West Balochistan representative Monireh Sulemani speaks at a can-dlelight vigil in Rome, 2010


23/32

FEBRUARY | 2011 23

It is indeed a great honour as one of the Founding Fathers of UNPOto contribute a few words to the UNPO Anniversary Publication aswe celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Organisation It is also

heartening that many of the founding Members some of whom areno longer associated with UNPO today achieved various form of po-litical solutions to their freedom struggles and live with peace, hu-man rights and democracy towards which UNPO made immensecontributions.

As UNPO comes to this age, it would be important for Members tonote that UNPO was inspired by the Allied Committee of the Peo-ples of Eastern Turkestan, Innner Mongolia, Manchuria and Tibet

founded in 1985 as the concerned peoples decided to work in a coordinated manner to highlight theircause at the international level.

As the Allied Committee worked, Tibetans and Uygurs, including Mr. Erkin Alptekin and his colleagues,began to realise that unrepresented peoples and nations required a global platform that generates soli-darity and collaboration with and from other oppressed peoples in order to make an impact on the globalgeopolitics and multilateral avenues. With such objective we initially began outreach during the Sovient Union regime with organisations and dissidents of the freedom struggles in Baltic countries, includinglate Dr. Linnart Mall of Estonia. Dr. Michael van Walt van Praag, the founding General Secretary of UNPOwas also among us and helped conceptualizing the establishment of the UNPO and its programme of work as the Organisation began to grow in terms of Membership.

Like the Allied Committee, the establishment of UNPO was deeply inspired by the principle of non-violence with which His Holiness the Dalai Lama has guided the Tibetan freedom struggle for the past sixdecades. I am, therefore, deeply grateful that the current leadership of UNPO and Membership which has

grown over the years continues to uphold non-violence as its core principle.

I was fortunate to be associated with the modest Tibetan contribution to UNPO during the past two dec-ades despite our restraints in terms of human and financial resources and I assure UNPO that we willcontinue to offer our suggestions to further strengthen your work in the future. In this respect, on behalf of the Founding Fathers of UNPO, I wish to wholeheartedly thank the financial contributors towards theexecution of UNPO activities, including the City of Hague, Nonviolent Radical Party, Taiwan Foundationfor Democracy, International Campaign for Tibet-Europe and others who generously aided UNPO in therecent years. I would like to conclude this message by thanking the dedicated staff and interns in theUNPO Secretariat, especially the General Secretaries and Members for your continued support to His Ho-liness the Dalai Lama and six million Tibetan people as we continue to strive for justice, peace and free-dom on the Tibetan Plateau.

10 January, 2011

Washington, DC

A MESSAGE FROM MR. LODI G. GYARI, SPECIAL ENVOY TO HIS HOLINESS, THEDALAI LAMA


24/32


ZANZIBAR

Zanzibar, an autonomous state off the coast of Tanzania, has been amember of UNPO since August 1991. Zanzibar represents a UNPOsuccess story in its efforts to buildpeace in a state which was prone tointense violence surrounding itselections. In 2009, following yet

another outbreak of political violen-ce, the leaders of Zanzibars two major parties (CCM and CUF) met todiscuss how they could avoid futurepolitical turmoil. Following thismeeting, the two parties introduceda national unity motion, which would introduce a system of proportional representation into the pre-viously winner-take-all system. On 31 July 2010 this proposal was passed by a peaceful popular referen-dum.

KOSOVA

On 17 February 2008, members of the Assembly of Kosovo, acting asthe elected leaders of the people of Kosovo, unanimously declaredKosovos independence from theSerbian state. Later that year, Serbia

requested that the InternationalCourt of Justice (ICJ) examine thecase and issue an opinion on thelegality of Kosovos declaration of independence. On 22 July 2010, theICJ issued a ruling declaring that Kosovos declaration was not a violation of international law, stating further that international law contains no prohibitions against decla-rations of independence. On the heels of this landmark ruling a number of powerful states have publicly

declared their recognition of Kosovos status as a fully independent state. At the time of this publication,74 UN member states have officially recognized Kosovo as an independent state. The ICJs ruling has sin-ce been used as a precedent by a number of states.

SUCCESS STORIESUNPO MEMBERS BUILDING PEACE AND GAINING PROMINENCE ON THE GLOBAL STAGE


25/32

FEBRUARY | 2011 25

SOMALILAND

Somaliland formally declared independence fromthe state of Somalia in 1991, and has been a UNPOMember since 2004. The region has established astrong and democratic system of governance,which has managed to maintain relative peacewithin its borders. Somaliland has been hailed as abeacon of peace and stability in a region whereboth are scarce. While the United States govern-ment has not verbalized support of an indepen-

dent Somaliland, it did provide capacity-building support and democracy and governance training toSomalilands government in advance of its 2010 elections, which were deemed free and fair by international observers. The success of Somalilands democracy is gaining increasingly widespread international

recognition and its government maintains informal ties to a number of foreign governments. However,Somaliland has not yet been recognized as an independent state by any country or international organi-zation.

FORMER MEMBERS AT THE UNITED NATIONS

Six former Members of UNPO have achieved full, internationally recognized statehood, and arenow members of the United Nations:

ESTONIAFounding Member of UNPO.Member of the United Nations since17 September 1991.

GEORGIAFounding Member of UNPO.Member of the United Nations since17 September 1991.

LATVIAFounding Member of UNPO.Member of the United Nations since 17 September 1991.

ARMENIAFounding Member of UNPOMember of the United Nations since 2 March 1992

BELAU (PALAU)Founding Member of UNPOMember of the United Nations since 15 December 1994

EAST TIMOR (TIMOR LESTE)Member of UNPO from 17 January 1993Member of the United Nations since 27 September 2002


26/32


The work of UNPO, much like the world in which it operates, is increasingly complex. While the past 20years have seen the success of several movements for statehood from nations formerly occupied by theUSSR, many more such movements have been violently suppressed, rejected by both state governmentsindividually and the international community as a whole.

Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, governments have found a new weapon to use against those who advocate for self-determination, the recognition of their rights and the survival of their cul-ture. Accusations of terrorism are now routinely leveled against many peaceful advocacy groups. Suchaccusations are meant to lend legitimacy to brutal crackdowns on groups working for their rights. UNPOworks to counter false charges against its Members, defending them in international institutions as wellas the court of public opinion.

The coming years present a daunting array of new challenges for the organization and its Members. Cli-mate change, population growth and the continued effects of the global economic crisis have and willcontinue to affect UNPO Members more acutely than much of the world. The effects of global climatechange and population growth are expected to drastically increase conflict over the control and distribu-tion of increasingly scarce resources, particularly among groups such as UNPOs Members, which are denied access to political institutions and systems of redress at both the local and international levels. Theeffects of the global financial crisis are likewise felt most strongly among those groups that were alreadyeconomically vulnerable. UNPO aims to counter the negative effects of these trends, quelling the flamesof conflict by encouraging alternative methods of engagement for the peaceful resolution of conflict, andaddressing the root causes by promoting the right of all peoples to a peaceful and legitimate process of self-determination.

UNPO looks to the future with the same sense of purpose that was present at the Peace Palace 20 yearsago. Just as its Members cannot step away from the struggles they face in their daily lives, UNPO will not yield in its efforts to project their voices into the international arena.

THE CHALLENGES AHEAD


27/32

FEBRUARY | 2011 27

A MESSAGE FROM HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA

His Holiness the Dalai Lama visits UNPO in The Hague, the Netherlands, 1994


28/32


When in 1991, representatives of 15 nations and peoples met at thePeace Palace in The Hague to found the Unrepresented Nations andPeoples Organization on the basis of the shared principles of nonviolence, human rights, democracy, environmental protection andself determination, they hardly envisaged that their humble effortswould change the course of several events in many corners of theglobe.

That within even the first decade of its existence the UNPO mem-bership quadrupled and spread across the globe is testament to the universality of its message and theacceptance of its relevance to world peace. Its achievements, though at times understated, have beenphenomenal. Whilst several of the members who sought self determination are now self governing, oth-ers are in peace processes whilst several others are increasingly attaining international visibility and ex-

posure. The case of the Ogoni people that I represent is distinctive. The profound sustained internationalattention and support that our struggle has maintained sprang from our membership in the UNPO, whichnot only exposed our cause internationally but also built our capacities for international engagements.Our international campaign has been so successful that though it could not save the lives of Ken Saro-Wiwa and my other colleagues, the fact that I and others were spared is testament to the extent of thelocal and international pressure that it generated.

Realizing that the diverse membership of the UNPO easily represents some of the worlds trouble spots(because of the injustices suffered by members), it is my fervent hope that the world recognizes that inour diversity lies our strength, and that the universality of our valued principles inspires the hope for

world peace!

Ledum Mitee

A MESSAGE FROM FORMER UNPO PRESIDENT, MR. LEDUM MITEE


29/32

FEBRUARY | 2011 29

In 1991, 15 unrepresented nations and peoples gathered in Peace Pal-ace in the Hague to deliberate upon their future. The main focus inthat deliberation was to defend the rights of their peoples who remainoppressed in the spirit of non-violence, human rights and democracy.It is a well known proverb that unity is power. That is what made asmall group to decide to unite and fight for their primary rights. UNPOwas born as an instrument to carry the banner of the crying voices of those deprived peoples.

The Founding members of UNPO set principles which were the navigation compass that provided direc-tion on the kinds of activities required for achieving the set goals and mission. UNPO is dedicated to fiveprinciples enshrined in its covenant: The right to self-determination; adherence to the internationally

accepted human rights standards as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and otherinternational instruments; adherence to the principles of democratic pluralism and rejection of totalitari-anism and religious intolerance; promotion of non-violence and the rejection of terrorism as an instru-ment of policy and protection of the natural environment

UNPO principles lean on peaceful means of struggle. This means that, once rights desired are obtained,they will not leave scars that vividly remind of the bitter past of struggle, and hence will not create roomfor revenge. Instead they will establish consultation and consensus in future decision making, friendshipand forbearance among the once opposing factions, and green earth as habitat which all of humankindand other living organisms dwell upon.

UNPO aimed at and, still aims at raising the awareness of the sufferings of its members to decision mak-ing bodies of the word together with raising self-understanding and determination of its members andreadiness to peacefully fight against oppression of any sort. To achieve this aim UNPO has initiated andcarried out a number of activities, including special programs which aim at raising the awareness of itsmembers globally and assisting members to participate in international forums. UNPO organizes semi-nars on issues of importance to its members especially in the areas of non-violent struggles against op-pressions, the respect of human rights, the observance of international law, as well as the upholding of the democratic principles and the right to self determination.

UNPO sets up missions for its members. It tasks such missions to investigate its members situations,and also to assist in peaceful resolutions of disputes and conflicts that affect them. Reports collected aredisseminated to stakeholders worldwide.

One of the important UNPO activities is lobbying especially at the United Nations bodies, European Par-liament and the European Commission, on issues of importance concerning its members. It acts as a liai-son between the members and these international forums. It has defended cases of violations against itsmembers to the United Nations Commission for Human Rights and Human Rights Council to mention thefew.

UNPO participates in UN meetings and increases the exposure of its members to UN bodies, facilitatesunderstanding of its members on global issues and brings closer those who are suffering to the eyes of

MESSAGE FROM FORMER PRESIDENT OF UNPO AND CURRENT VICE PRESI-DENT OF ZANZIBAR, MR. SEIF SHARIF HAMAD


30/32


world decision makers. Normally UNPO acts as a mediator between NGOs and UN bodies. Recently it has worked very closely to present members concerns in the Universal Periodic Review. Continuously it assists in raising its members concerns to United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous People.

In these 20 years UNPO takes pride in its growth. Starting with only 15 members it has now grown to aprominent forum with about 70 members distributed worldwide from Ka Lahui in Hawaii and Trimshian

in the west to South Mollucas in the east, from Inkeri and Dene Nation in the north to Mapuche and Afri-caner in the south. As an organization it has received a number of awards, including: 1991 ToleranceAward, 1992 Social Innovation Award (The Body Shop), 1998 Petra Kelly Peace Award (Heinrich BllFoundation) and was nominated for the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize and 1994 Right to Livelihood Award.

Through UNPO, members have opportunities to present their cases to international bodies such as: theUnited Nations Human Rights Council, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, andEuropean Union institutions as well as some regional institutions.

There are a number of vivid achievements of UNPO as an organization. Some of its members achieved

the desired end of their struggles. To mention a few, East Timor gained independence from Indonesia in2002. Some former socialist republics of the Soviet Union gained either United Nations recognition orautonomy agreements. These include Armenia, Estonia, Georgia and Latvia. Palau gained independencein 1994. Albanians in Macedonia reached an agreement on wider rights with Macedonia in 2001. Bugain-ville attained an autonomy agreement with Papua New Guinea in 2000. Gagauzia reached an autonomyagreement with Moldova in 1994. Aceh arrived at an autonomy agreement with Indonesia in 2005; andLakotah Nation was declared as Republic of Lakotah in 2007. In Zanzibar, now there is a Government of National Unity, and CUF, a member of UNPO, is an integeral part of it.

I, therefore, humbly urge all nations and peoples who are struggling for their rights to recognize the im-

portant role that UNPO can play in facilitating them to achieve their goals, only if they are prepared toabide by the five covenants of UNPO, should they wish to join the forum. UNPO is an important instru-ment in the promotion of the rights of, and the recognition of those in suffering, and hence encouragingunderstanding regionally and globally and ultimately resolving the impasse.

I take this opportunity to congratulate UNPO for its good and commendable achievements attained sofar. Many sufferings have been brought to an end through UNPO activities, missions, deliberations andinterventions.

However the world still experiences a number of sufferings, human rights violations, dictatorship and

environmental degradation. UNPO still has a lot of work ahead. I hope with the conviction and determi-nation of the UNPO Presidency and the General Secretariat, under the able leadership of the General Sec-retary secretary much can be done and more sufferings will be ended.

UNPO is a success story. We are all proud of it. We are looking forward to witness a spirited UNPO scor-ing more successes in the near future. All of us should support it spiritually, morally, materially, and fi-nancially.

It can be done, if all of us shall play our parts.

Seif Sharif Hamad


31/32

FEBRUARY | 2011 31

Contributions from governments, foundations, NGOs and individuals, as well as annual fees from theMembers themselves, provide much-needed resources that enable UNPO to continue carrying out itswork. In addition to the contribution of funds, UNPO would not succeed without the tireless work of countless volunteers and interns who donate their time to advance the organizations work. Without thesupport of its many contributors, UNPO would not be able to succeed. UNPO extends its thanks to thefollowing funders, past and present:

Our thanks go out to the many other funders whose contributions, both large and small, have been in-strumental in the UNPOs work over the past twenty years. Our thanks also goes out to the extraordinaryefforts of UNPO staff and volunteers, past and present, which allow the organization to continue its ex-traordinary work.

Andrew Wainwrights Reform Trust (UK)

Beoordelingscommissie

Prioriteitenfounds (the Netherlands)

Bilance (formerly Cebeno) (the Netherlands)

City of the Hague (the Netherlands)

Cordaid (the Netherlands)

Embassy of South Africa (the Netherlands)

European Human Rights Foundation

European Commission

European Cultural Foundation

Evangelische Kirsche Deutschland (Germany)

Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Ford Foundation (US)

Friedrich Naumann Foundation (Germany)

Greenville Foundation (US)

Haella Foundation (the Netherlands)

Heinrich Bll Foundation (Germany)

HIVOS (the Netherlands)

Kerk in Actie (the Netherlands)

MacArthur Foundation (US)

McKnight Foundation (US)

Milieu Defensie (the Netherlands)

Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Denmark)

MISEREOR (Germany)

Nando Peretti Foundation (Italy)

Netherlands Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Norwegian Ministry for Foreign Affairs

NOVIB (the Netherlands)

Swedish International Development Coopera-tion Agency

Stichting Doen (the Netherlands)

Stichting Grote Berg (the Netherlands)

Swiss Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Taiwan Foundation for Democracy

Taiwan Foreign Affairs Ministry

Threshold Foundation (US)

Transnational Radical Party (Italy)

Winston Foundation for World Peace (US)

World Council of Churches (Switzerland)

World Gratitude Day Foundation (US)

UNPO SUPPORTERS


32/32

The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) is a democratic, internationalmembership organization. Its Members are indigenous peoples, occupied nations, minorities andindependent states or territories who have joined together to protect their human and culturalrights, preserve their environments and find non-violent solutions to conflicts which affect them.

The sustainability of UNPO is partly ensured through much valued donations. Your contribution iscrucial to ensuring the continued efforts of UNPO to guarantee participation in international fo-rums of those whose voices are most often unheard. UNPO is a non-profit organization which re-lies on membership fees, grants and donations, and your support is therefore highly appreciated.

Bank details:

Bank: ABN Amro Bank Bank Address: Javastraat 1, P.O. Box 4,2501 CA, The Hague,

The NetherlandsBeneficiary: Stichting UNPO

Account number: 50.05.02.145BIC Code: ABNANL2A

IBAN Code: NL80ABNA0500502145To donate online visit www.unpo.org and for further information or enquiries please contact the

UNPO Secretariat at [email protected].: +31 (0)70 3646504Fax: +31 (0)70 3646608
http://www.unpo.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.unpo.org/

Documents

The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Org - 20 Years of