Commemorate International Human Rights Day

Commemorate International Human Rights Day – Support IITC’s ongoing work for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples!

Please support the ongoing Human Rights work of the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) in honor of International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2022 https://www.iitc.org/support-our-work/) This year, IITC participated in, coordinated and made submissions to over 60 human rights events and bodies in defense of Indigenous Peoples’ rights. This has been our most productive year to date, and we are looking forward to continuing and broadening our international engagement on behalf of Indigenous human rights.

Here are some highlights:

- IITC hosted and coordinated consultations for the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights in preparation for his official Study on Toxics and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in May 2022.

- IITC attended the review of the United States by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in August 2022, focusing on advocating for Treaty rights for Indigenous Peoples. As a result the Committee called on the United States to respect Treaties with Indigenous Peoples and implement a Treaty claims process outside of the judicial system. This is the first time the high-level Committee has advocated for Treaty rights of Indigenous Peoples in this manner.

- IITC has completed its first water testing project in Oceti Sakowin territory (South Dakota) to test for mercury, uranium and other contaminates from past and current mining in violation of Lakota Treaty rights. According to IITC’s research, public drinking water on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation contains mercury at eight times above EPA accepted levels! As a result, Lakota Peoples experience some of the worst health disparities in the world and unborn and young children are the most impacted. Collection of new water samples concluded in November 2022, with the direct engagement of a team of Lakota students and youth as trainees. IITC will share the test results with impacted Tribal Nations and use them in our human rights advocacy work.

These examples are a mere fraction of the work IITC engages in to ensure implementation of Indigenous human rights around the world. Please contribute generously to IITC to mark International Human Rights Day and support this important work!

(https://www.iitc.org/support-our-work/)

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The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) is an organization of Indigenous Peoples from North, Central, South America, the Caribbean and the Pacific working for the Sovereignty and Self Determination of Indigenous Peoples and the recognition and protection of Indigenous Rights, Treaties, Traditional Cultures and Sacred Lands.

El Consejo Internacional de Tratados Indios (CITI) es una organización de Pueblos Indígenas del Sur, Centro y Norteamérica, el Caribe y el Pacífico, que trabaja por la soberanía y la libre determinación de los Pueblos Indígenas, así como el reconocimiento y protección de los derechos indígenas, tratados, culturas tradicionales y tierras sagradas.