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Holy See diplomat denounces human rights violations against indigenous people October 27, 2009

Archbishop Celestino Migliore, apostolic nuncio and permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, emphasized the rights of the world’s 370 million indigenous persons in recent remarks to the United Nations General Assembly.

“The recognition of the fundamental dignity of every person and promotion of human rights remain the most effective strategy for their comprehensive development,” said Archbishop Migliore. “We have to work harder to make indigenous peoples aware of their own human dignity and empower their communities to shape their life according to their own traditions.”

After referring to the “fundamental right to life” and rights to food and water, Archbishop Migliore concluded, “Openness to life has long been at the centre of the indigenous people’s spirituality, and if personal and social sensitivity towards the acceptance of new life is lost, then other forms of acceptance that are valuable for society also wither away..”

Archbishop Migliore made his remarks on October 19; the Holy See Press Office released them on October 26.

Source(s): these links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

• Intervento Della Santa Sede Sulle Popolazioni Indigene Davanti Alla III Commissione Della 64ma Sessione Dell’Assemblea Generale Dell’O.N.U. (Holy See)
• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007)

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