Madam Chair,
My delegation endorses the statement delivered by the distinguished delegation of El Salvador on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples broadly recognizes the special relationship of indigenous peoples with their lands. For all indigenous communities worldwide, that linkage is the essence of their existence, beliefs, customs, traditions and culture.
We note with concern, as recognized in the working document, that different kinds of political or economic interests continue to be invoked in order to justify the deprivation of the right of indigenous peoples to their traditional lands and resources, which has prevented them from exercising their right to development, has led to marginalization and discrimination and has imposed legal and administrative barriers to the recognition of their collective rights.
Madam Chair,
In order to reconcile national development priorities with the collective rights of indigenous peoples to their territories, these communities are required to effectively engage in the processes of managing and developing resources in the lands they live on; and it is the duty of States to ensure access to the said right.
The document prepared for this debate includes several examples of good practices implemented in different regions of the world, including Latin America. In this context, Cuba reiterates its recognition to the work carried out by the Plurinational State of Bolivia, which has been rightly mentioned first in the text.
Madam Chair,
As it has done since the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Cuba will continue to support the just claims of indigenous peoples to fully enjoy their traditional rights, including the right to land, which is the basis for preserving their culture and identity.
Thank you very much.