UNIC Moscow marked International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Moscow marked International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on 12 August 2009. On this occasion, UNIC Moscow joined forces with the UN Resident Coordinator's office and the Moscow office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. UNIC direct partner in conceiving and organizing the event was the Mission of the Komi Republic under the President of the Russian Federation. The overall thematic framework was the situation in the Russian North – in addition to the subject of indigenous peoples.

In the opening remarks the UN RC a.i. and Head of the UNICEF Moscow Office, stressed that since the adoption of the UN Declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, its tenets have been increasingly endorsed and incorporated into States’ approaches. Sadly, he continued, indigenous peoples remained some of the most marginalized populations, before adding that this year’s observance of the Day focused on the threat of HIV/AIDS. Pointing out that the Russian Federation had been a leader in the protection of indigenous rights the key note speaker stated that most of the UN Declaration’s provisions had provided the basis for new initiatives at the national level – such as the framework policy for sustainable development of indigenous minorities of the North, Siberia and the Russian Far East adopted last February. But much remained to be done, the speaker reminded that in its submission to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues last May, the Russian Government stated its willingness to strengthen international cooperation in this area. The United Nations in Russia viewed promotion of rights of indigenous peoples as a part of its general human rights advancement activities. The speaker pointed out that later that year, Russia would host the official country visit of the UN Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples.
Later Ms. Yanina Podol from the UNESCO Moscow office highlighted the Agency’s interest in different relevant areas including the preservation of indigenous languages and traditions.
Ms.  Victoria Kharchenko from the Council of Europe Information Centre in Moscow addressed the audience with a brief comment on the Council's programme targeted at promoting Russian indigenous minorities' languages, culture, media and civil society organizations.
Introducing a second, cultural, part of the event, Galina Chernikh, deputy head of the Mission of the Komi Republic, unveiled the exhibit of paintings by Alexander Zolotkov and Stepan Tereshenko and photos by Nikolai Rulev displaying sceneries and lifestyles of the local communities in the Russian North, followed by a screening of a documentary film about natural wonders of the Komi Republic. The attendance was unexpectedly high for this summer holiday period – more than 60 representatives of civil society, media and expert community. The guests were unanimous in saluting the UNIC initiative commemorating the indigenous cause and publicizing the UN views on the subject in a specific Russian context.