San Miguel County, CO Supporting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 12/5/07
Vote: Unanimous
Source File: http://www.sanmiguelcounty.org/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/SMCWEBSITE/TABNEWS/2007_40_INDIGENOUS_PEOPLES_0.PDF
Text:
Resolution # 2007-40
WHEREAS, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly passed the symbolic, if non-binding, Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in September of 2007; with a vote of 144 nations in favor and 4 against (11 abstaining); and
WHEREAS, the administration of George W. Bush chose to have the United States be among the four dissenters, along with the other former British colonies of Canada, Australia and New Zealand; and
WHEREAS, the elected representatives of San Miguel County do not endorse this action and believe that the United States should have voted in favor of the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and
WHEREAS, it is the duty of citizens to be vigilant in order to protect human rights and to speak out when there is a wrong that needs to be redressed;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of San Miguel County, Colorado, that: San Miguel County expresses its support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and urges the U.S. Congress to pass a resolution endorsing this important international document for the protection of, and respect for, indigenous peoples' collective and individual human rights - in this country and around the world.