July 23, 2014
Indigenous rights declaration impact measured
A Waikato University law lecturer says international pressure can be a positive factor in recognising Maori rights.
A symposium at Waikato University this week is looking at the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Aotearoa.
Andrew Erueti says a highlight will be hearing from James Anaya, the former UN special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples.
Professor Anaya’s work as special rapporteur has led to companies starting to engage more with indigenous peoples on issues like environmental impacts and benefit sharing.
"He’s visited New Zealand a couple of times and in particular he has focused on the foreshore and seabed legislation and together with the UN racial discrimination committee's condemnation of the original foreshore legislatioon, I think that had some influence in the changes that were made to the legislation," Mr Erueti says.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH ANDREW ERUETI CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjAzODU=
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