CAMPBELL WORKS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
PARIS, FRANCE – On Monday, United States Helsinki Commission Chairman Ben
Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO) was successful in Paris, France, with passage of
an amendment to improve the human rights conditions for indigenous peoples
in the U.S. and throughout Europe.
A key committee of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's
Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), meeting for its tenth annual session at the
French National Assembly, approved the measure. Campbell's initiative was
the first-ever to focus on the situation of indigenous people in the OSCE
region in the 10 years since the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly was founded.
The full Assembly adopted the Campbell Amendment on Tuesday.
During debate on the amendment in the General Committee on Economic Affairs,
Science, Technology and Environment, Campbell said, "As an American Indian
from ancestry on my father's side, and a leader on the Senate Committee on
Indian Affairs, I have dedicated myself to improving the social, educational
and economic opportunities for indigenous peoples. It is essential that
participating States recognize the importance of fostering improved
opportunities for members of these communities through community and business
development."
The Campbell Amendment urges the 55 participating States in the OSCE "to
promote social, educational and economic opportunity for indigenous peoples,
many of whom have suffered from centuries of discrimination and isolation,
and to foster community, economic, and business development in their
communities." Campbell stated, "Only through coordinated efforts can we hope
to begin to remedy the social, educational and economic problems for these
individuals following centuries of discrimination and marginalization. They
cannot without help lift themselves out of the hopeless cycle of poverty and
despair. We cannot go back, so we must help them go forward."
Similar legislation was introduced by Campbell in February in the U.S.
Senate, S.343, to establish a demonstration project to integrate and
coordinate federal funding dedicated to the community, business, and
economic development of Native Americans. Campbell, as Chairman of the
Helsinki Commission, headed the Congressional Delegation which represented
the U.S. Congress at the annual Parliamentary Assembly meeting of the
55-member Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA).
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CONTACT: Paul Moorehead 202-224-2251
July 11, 2001