U.N. Report Chastises U.S. Over Status of Native Population
http://www.nationofchange.org/un-report-chastises-us-status-native-population-1348326775
A top United Nations official has presented the first ever international investigation into the situation of indigenous peoples in the United States, urging the adoption of new policies and mechanisms to address persistent deep-seeded problems related to historical wrongs, failed policies of the past and continuing systemic barriers.
Based on research in the United States this past spring, James Anaya, the U.N.s special reporter on the rights of indigenous peoples, presented his final report to the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Tuesday. The process marks the first time that the United States has allowed an external body to formally investigate and comment on the situation of its indigenous communities, a notably sensitive issue.
Speaking before the council, Anaya stated that indigenous communities in the United States (also referred to as American Indians) continue to face significant challenges that are related to widespread historical wrongs, including broken treaties and acts of oppression, and misguided government policies, that today manifest themselves in various indicators of disadvantage and impediments to the exercise of their individual and collective rights.
The U.S. mission to the UNHRC has offered a formal response to the concerns raised, highlighting several new and recent government initiatives and policy changes.