Resolution adopted by the ELDR Congress 2008 in Stockholm 

The International Labour Organisation Convention

The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party, convening in Stockholm, Sweden, on 30^th and 31^st October 2008:

-        Recognizing the current dearth of international legal instruments that protect the rights of indigenous peoples.

-        Noting that ILO Convention 169 confers a wide catalogue of obligations on governments to coordinate systematic and coordinated action to protect the rights of indigenous peoples.

-        Noting, in particular, the importance of requirements for appropriate consultation with indigenous groups to ensure participation in development projects; respect for the special relationship of indigenous groups with their traditional territories; respect for legal ownership and possession over traditional territories; commitment to resolve land claims; and commitment to refrain from removing indigenous groups from their land except by free and informed consent, as stipulated in ILO Convention 169.

-        Commending the 19 governments that have already ratified ILO Convention 169, including, within the EU, Denmark and the Netherlands.

-        Recognizing that governments that have thus far failed to ratify ILO Convention 169 hold a moral responsibility to promote the well-being of indigenous communities, not solely within their territory, but also of those with whom private sector companies and development projects interact.

-        Welcoming the work carried out by several Non-Governmental Organizations active on indigenous issues and, in particular, the fact that the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization has made the ILO ratification its priority for the coming months.

Urges:

-        All ELDR Party members to work within their countries to acknowledge the importance of engaging indigenous communities in an international legal dialogue by ratifying ILO Convention 169 domestically.

-        All ELDR Party members to work to commit the European Union to the promotion of human rights of indigenous communities by engaging the private sector within their territories and ensuring ethical practices by companies that engage in territories traditionally occupied by indigenous groups or otherwise interact with indigenous populations.

-        All ELDR Party members to monitor and hold responsible those companies that have violated their obligations to treat indigenous groups with whom they interact with fairness and dignity. Likewise, to commend companies who have taken initiatives to engage indigenous groups in a fair and mutually beneficial manner, such as the negotiation and signing of Impact and Benefit Agreements and the promotion of social programmes for indigenous communities.