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The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed each year on 21 March, marks the anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre, when police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire on a peaceful demonstration against apartheid pass laws, killing 69 people and injuring many more. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966, the day serves as a global call to confront racism, promote equality, and protect human dignity.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoi/San)
Music: "Whispers" by Ziibiwan, used with permission.

Les Malazer, the Indigenous Co-advisor to the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in September 2015 discusses the preparation in the run up to the WCIP.   

Les Malezer, of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, discusses the origins and goals of the expert mechanism and it's importance to the rights of Indigenous Peoples around the world.

Nina Cass, of New South Wales, Australia, discusses her work with Madala, a youth organization that helps Indigenous young people go to school as well as the issues facing the Indigenous Peoples in Australia such as the promotion of culture, relocation, discrimination, suicide, etc. and how she can help in her role. 

UN Special Rapporteur Vicky Tauli Corpuz discusses the international trade deal known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership which is being negotiated by Canada,The United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. She confirms that Indigenous Peoples must be consulted before these deals are negotiated.

Por el Derecho al Consentimiento Libre, Previo e Informado, los gobiernos tienen que mantener a las comunidades indígenas informadas sobre cualquier proyecto que quieran desarrollar en sus tierras y escuchar sus opiniones antes de realizarlo.

El proceso de negociación entre el gobierno y los pueblos indígenas debe ser libre de amenazas, sobornos, o cualquier manipulación por parte del gobierno en las decisiones de los pobladores.

Explica la importancia de tener toda la información sobre los impactos al medioambiente, a la comunidad y a los pobladores. Se debe dar en manera completa y en el idioma materno para asegurar comprensión total.

La Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas junto con otros instrumentos internacionales reconocen el derecho al consentimiento libre, previo e informado como un derecho de los pueblos indígenas.

Es importante exigir el cumplimiento de esta ley porque proteger el ambiente, garantizar agua y aire limpio, y es un mecanismo para controlar los proyectos de desarrollo, para asegurar que realmente beneficien a los pobladores de la comunidad.

El derecho al consentimiento libre, previo e informado se encuentra estipulado en leyes nacionales e internacionales y se puede aplicar en la defensa de las tierras cuando se pretende realizar un proyecto que cause daños irreparables.

Para que este derecho sea aplicado de manera justa, se debe de respetar lo siguiente: 1. Desde el inicio de un proyecto se debe consultar a los pueblos indígenas; 2. Se debe otorgar el tiempo necesario para que los pueblos indígenas reciban todo la información sobre los proyectos y sus impactos; 3. Se debe dar información en las formas tradicionales de cada pueblo; 4. Se debe evitar cualquier tipo de influencia en opiniones hacia los pobladores; 5. Se debe documentar cualquier decisión en forma detallada.

The right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent means that governments have to inform indigenous communities about any development projects they want to start in their territories, and listen to their opinions before beginning the project.

The right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent belongs to all Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous communities should not let governments continue to destroy their territories and violate their right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

It is important that indigenous communities elect leaders who will fight for the interests of their people and not the interests of the government.

Article 10 of the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples states that no one can forcibly displace indigenous communities from their territories.

States must obtain Free, Prior and Informed Consent from Indigenous Peoples before taking legislative or administrative measures which will affect them.

Governments cannot store dangerous materials on Indigenous Peoples’ lands without their Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

States should obtain Free, Prior and Informed Consent before approving any development project that will affect the lands and resources of Indigenous Peoples.

The UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples along with other international instruments, recognises the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent as a right of Indigenous Peoples.

For Indigenous Peoples, the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent is a fundamental, inherent and inalienable right.

Governments are obligated to comply with the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent that belongs to all Indigenous Peoples.

The negotiation process between the government and Indigenous Peoples should be free of threats, bribes or any manipulation by the government of the decisions of Indigenous Peoples.

It is important that indigenous communities obtain sufficient information prior to the start of a project in order to have an accurate discussion about the potential changes.