This draft Declaration was adopted by the Human Rights Council on 29 June 2006 by a vote of 30-2. Disappointingly, Canada called for a vote rather than allowing the draft Declaration to be adopted by consensus. The USA, New Zealand, and Australia, not members of the Human Rights Council, have also opposed adoption of the Declaration unless its provisions are dramatically weakened. This document asks that letters be written to governments emphasizing that adoption of United Nations standards recognizing the human rights of indigenous peoples is long overdue.
