CNSNews.com
International

UN Adopts Indigenous Rights Pact, But Disagreements Persist

By Patrick Goodenough
CNSNews.com International Editor
September 14, 2007

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(CNSNews.com) - After more than two decades of debate, the U.N. General Assembly Thursday adopted a declaration on indigenous rights, but Western countries with sizeable indigenous populations cried foul.

The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand voted against the declaration, which is intended to set an international standard for the treatment of native peoples. It passed by 143 votes to four, with 11 abstentions and is not legally binding.