Thread by @perrybellegarde

BREAKING NEWS:

Canada just tabled legislation to meet its obligations to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. #SupportUNDRIP

My reaction in the thread below:

The AFN welcomes the tabling of a bill to advance implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. First Nations across Canada will be examining this bill closely because the implementation of the Declaration is crucial to our rights. #SupportUNDRIP /2

The new implementation bill will provide a framework to ensure respect of human rights, will launch a process of review and reform of federal law, and will require reports on progress made. /3

The new implementation bill references the TRC Calls To Action and the Calls to Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls - #MMIWG. This is important context to inform the work ahead. /3

The new implementation bill affirms that the UN Declaration already has legal application in Canada. Courts and tribunals are already using it to interpret federal and provincial laws. There’s no turning back the clock. /4

The UN Declaration implementation bill condemns all racist and colonial doctrines and beliefs. Such legal doctrines have tried to legitimize violations of First Nations rights - including grave human rights abuses like the residential school system. /5

The rights affirmed by the Declaration are the “minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of Indigenous peoples” (Article 43). /6

Implementation of #UNDRIP is crucial to ensure Canada addresses systemic racism - as well as other forms of discrimination including gender-based violence against First Nations women and girls. /7

A lot of steps need to happen before the new bill is adopted into law. The AFN will be working hard to ensure that a strong and effective implementation bill is passed before this session of Parliament ends. /8