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Unrepresented Nations and Peoples

Organization

www.unpo.org

Unrepresented Nations and Peoples

Organization

UNPO gives a voice to minorities

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Unrepresented Nations and Peoples

Organization

Overview

�Introduction to UNPO

�Who are our Members?

�What challenges do our Members face?

�What does UNPO do?

�How does UNPO deal with the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities?

Why was UNPO created?

To fill a void in the international sphere

“UNPO’s objective is to assist its Members to

achieve the greater freedom and dignity to which

all peoples have a right”

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

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History of UNPO

� Created February 11, 1991 at the Peace Palace with 15 Founding Members

Principles of UNPO Covenant:

•Right to Self-Determination

•Respect for Cultural and Human Rights

•Adherence to Democratic Pluralism

•Environmental Protection

•Tolerance & Non-Violence

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Our members

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What Challenges Do Our

Members Face?� Recognition as an Indigenous People

� Relocation as a suppression tactic

� Repossession of land

� Recourse for human rights violations

� Realization of the right to self-determination

UNPO activities and events

•Media and outreach – Minority news

•Technical and advisory support for members

• Advocacy/lobbying/Advice:

•Public briefings at UN, EU, and State Governments

•Attends UN and EU conferences

•Fact-finding Missions & Election Monitoring

•Campaigns

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Lobby, conferences and hearings

� Meetings with MEPs, relevant officials, Human Rights activists etc.

� Conferences� De Facto States Conference, European Parliament� Iranian Minorities Conference: Human Rights and the Question of

Democratisation and Federalism in Iran, European Parliament� Non Refoulement Conference: “Extradition to Torture”, Italian Senate� Conference on Human Rights in Pakistan, Human Rights Council,

Geneva� Uyghurs Call for Dialogue with China – Implementation of the

Chinese Constitution to Safeguard and Protect the Rights of the Uyghur people

� Hearings� Human Rights Hearing on China, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs� Uyghur Hearing, European Parliament� Hearing on Human Rights and Security in Ogaden, European

Parliament

UNPO at the UN

� Human Rights Council

� Attend sessions of the Council in Geneva

� Make interventions on behalf of members

� Submit reports for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and treaty body mechanisms

� Arrange side events highlighting members’ concerns

� Networking with permanent missions, NGOs and other stakeholders

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UNPO at the UN (2)

� Treaty Bodies of the Human Rights Council

� CERD, CEDAW, CAT etc

� United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)

� Forum on Minority Issues

FCPNM

How does UNPO deal with the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities?

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FCPNM

Definition of National Minorities

FCPNM

The interpretation of ‘National Minorities’ in the Netherlands

The five conditions:

1.The members of a National Minority group should have the Dutch nationality,

2.That they distinguish themselves by their language, culture and history;

3.Their aim is to protect and preserve their identity;4.National Minorities have traditionally been located in the territory of the Netherlands; and

5.They traditionally live in a specific region in the Netherlands.

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FCPNM

Role of NGO’s

UNPO believes that the role of NGO’s is incredibly essential in raising public awareness.

UNPO Secretariat Visiting Address

Laan van Meerdervoort 70

2517 AN The Hague www.unpo.orgThe Netherlands

unpo@unpo.org

Contact Information