INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' CAUCUS STATEMENT
FOR THE THEMATIC DISCUSSIONS ON SANITATION
INCLUDING THE BROAD THEMES OF:
1) "CREATING A DEMAND FOR SANITATION AND PROMOTING
HYGIENE THROUGH AWARENESS RAISING AND MARKETING
STRATEGIES, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT CULTURAL AND SOCIAL
PREFERENCES AND OBSTACLES", AND;
2) "FROM WASTEWATER TO SUSTAINABLE SANITATION"
12th United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development
22 April 2004, United Nations, New York, New York
Presented by:
Tom Goldtooth, Indigenous Environmental Network/International Indian Treaty
Council
Mr. Chair, sustaining sanitation, as related to water policies and management systems, is also a critical issue to Indigenous Peoples - from every region of the world - both in developing and developed countries.
Indigenous Peoples from both developing and developed countries are often the poorest of the poor and, related to the theme of this session, "From Wastewater to Sustainable Sanitation", are usually the least served.
Mr. Chair, it is unfortunate that in some countries, the efforts of Indigenous Peoples to achieve self-determination, the rights to their lands, territories and natural resources; and the securing of their customary water rights has created serious disputes between States and Indigenous Peoples. This situation could be one factor contributing to the lack of prioritizing the sustainable sanitation needs and providing for the implementation of services in Indigenous communities.
Mr. Chair, the Indigenous Peoples' Caucus would like to offer three recommendations for your consideration:
Local, National, Regional and International goals must be developed for realistic targets for improved sanitation and hygiene services, adopting community-based, low-cost and intermediate technological approaches, bearing in mind the human right to clean, safe water and sanitation services.
Developing and developed countries must develop and strengthen clear policies, targets and institutional frameworks to improve sanitation, assure safe and adequate water supply, as well as access to hygiene services for the Indigenous Peoples who live within their boundaries.
Water and sanitation services must remain in the public sector. All governments must commit to public sector delivery of water and sanitation services. Indigenous Peoples have serious concerns with a market-based approach to water, sanitation services and management. There must be assurance that adequate financial resources are made available and that there is the provision for local capacity-building. In areas with Indigenous communities, mechanisms for the option for Indigenous Peoples to control and manage their own water and sanitation systems must be provided.
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