Work
25.January 2007 - 00:00
Support for indigenous peoples
The EU has been working in cooperation with the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to support indigenous peoples in developing countries. At this moment the UN is modernising its structures and human rights instruments. On the other hand, support for indigenous peoples within Union borders has not been such a prominent focus of attention. That notwithstanding, the Sami, for example, are a community with a unique culture living within the Union’s borders. Their position in Community legislation is dealt with in Protocol No 3 (on the Sami people), annexed to the 1994 Act concerning the conditions of accession of the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland, and the Kingdom of Sweden; the provisions of the Protocol have been incorporated in Articles 60 to 62, Section 6, of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe and in Declaration 32 on the Sami people.
The 70000 Sami living on Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, and Russian territory in an area covering 157487 km2 make a livelihood from traditional occupations such as reindeer herding, handicrafts, fishing, and hunting, along with new lines of business such as tourism. The Sami have constitutional status in Finland and Norway. In both these countries, and also in Sweden, they have their own elected representative body, the Sami Parliament. The unique and exemplary character of the Sami community can likewise be seen in the fact that cooperation, based on the common language, extends naturally beyond national borders, be it among the Sami parliaments or within the Sami Council, which represents Sami organisations in the four countries.
The Sami have long been working to improve their position and, among other things, bring about real equality in terms of language, culture, and living conditions. Progress has been slow. The unresolved questions in Finland include, for example, the ownership of so called government land. This has prevented Finland from ratifying the ILO Convention (No 169) concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples. The situation is similar in Sweden.
How has the Commission sought to safeguard the position of indigenous peoples at a time when UN human rights bodies are in the process of reform? What kind of programmes has it drawn up to support the indigenous peoples living within Union borders?
Answer given by Mr Špidla on behalf of the Commission
The Commission is committed to working towards a society in which members of indigenous peoples, as any other ethnic group, have the right, and are given the opportunity, fully to participate in social, economic and political life. It is evident that indigenous people are not homogenous groups. Hence, a public policy approach must focus on individuals and their possible social disadvantages based on factors such as discrimination, unemployment due to lack of skills and qualifications, or social exclusion.
To this end the EU has put in place a legal framework to tackle discrimination on grounds of racial or ethnic origin in employment, education, social security, healthcare, and access to goods and services including housing (Directive 2000/43/EC(1)). In addition to ensuring that these rules are properly implemented across the EU, the Commission supports numerous training and awareness-raising activities.
Moreover, EU funding is available from the European Social Fund (in 2006: EUR 11.6 billion) and as of 2007 from the Progress programme for employment and social solidarity (2007 13: EUR 658 million).
The European Union has provided, through the Structural Funds in the period 2000 06, direct support for Sami development through specific priorities in the two Swedish Objective 1 programmes (total EUR 13.5 million) and, in Finland, the Sami people can receive support from the Finnish Objective 1 programme North Finland. In addition there is an Interreg programme IIIA North with specific sub-programmes (total: EUR 5.1 million) for the Sami population in Northern Europe.
For the period 2007 13, the Sami population will continue to be supported primarily through the rural development programme in Finland and Sweden for actions clearly linked to the objectives of rural development. In addition the Sami population in Sweden and Finland, like all citizens, are eligible for support from the Structural Funds programme in their area. The European Cooperation programme North will also have a sub-programme for the Sami population in Sweden and Finland.
In addition, 2007 has been designated as the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. This event will not only make the general public aware about the right to live a life without discrimination, but also highlight the social, cultural and economic richness that indigenous peoples contribute to our societies.
At the end of 2007, the High Level Group on the social and labour market integration of ethnic minorities will submit its report and recommendations. This Group, chaired by Rita Süssmuth, will examine, inter alia, the obstacles preventing ethnic minorities from participating fully in the labour market and in society as a whole. The Group's recommendations will provide valuable input for the drawing up of future EU policies.
The EU has been working in cooperation with the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to support indigenous peoples in developing countries. At this moment the UN is modernising its structures and human rights instruments. On the other hand, support for indigenous peoples within Union borders has not been such a prominent focus of attention. That notwithstanding, the Sami, for example, are a community with a unique culture living within the Union’s borders. Their position in Community legislation is dealt with in Protocol No 3 (on the Sami people), annexed to the 1994 Act concerning the conditions of accession of the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland, and the Kingdom of Sweden; the provisions of the Protocol have been incorporated in Articles 60 to 62, Section 6, of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe and in Declaration 32 on the Sami people.
The 70000 Sami living on Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, and Russian territory in an area covering 157487 km2 make a livelihood from traditional occupations such as reindeer herding, handicrafts, fishing, and hunting, along with new lines of business such as tourism. The Sami have constitutional status in Finland and Norway. In both these countries, and also in Sweden, they have their own elected representative body, the Sami Parliament. The unique and exemplary character of the Sami community can likewise be seen in the fact that cooperation, based on the common language, extends naturally beyond national borders, be it among the Sami parliaments or within the Sami Council, which represents Sami organisations in the four countries.
The Sami have long been working to improve their position and, among other things, bring about real equality in terms of language, culture, and living conditions. Progress has been slow. The unresolved questions in Finland include, for example, the ownership of so called government land. This has prevented Finland from ratifying the ILO Convention (No 169) concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples. The situation is similar in Sweden.
How has the Commission sought to safeguard the position of indigenous peoples at a time when UN human rights bodies are in the process of reform? What kind of programmes has it drawn up to support the indigenous peoples living within Union borders?
Answer given by Mr Špidla on behalf of the Commission
The Commission is committed to working towards a society in which members of indigenous peoples, as any other ethnic group, have the right, and are given the opportunity, fully to participate in social, economic and political life. It is evident that indigenous people are not homogenous groups. Hence, a public policy approach must focus on individuals and their possible social disadvantages based on factors such as discrimination, unemployment due to lack of skills and qualifications, or social exclusion.
To this end the EU has put in place a legal framework to tackle discrimination on grounds of racial or ethnic origin in employment, education, social security, healthcare, and access to goods and services including housing (Directive 2000/43/EC(1)). In addition to ensuring that these rules are properly implemented across the EU, the Commission supports numerous training and awareness-raising activities.
Moreover, EU funding is available from the European Social Fund (in 2006: EUR 11.6 billion) and as of 2007 from the Progress programme for employment and social solidarity (2007 13: EUR 658 million).
The European Union has provided, through the Structural Funds in the period 2000 06, direct support for Sami development through specific priorities in the two Swedish Objective 1 programmes (total EUR 13.5 million) and, in Finland, the Sami people can receive support from the Finnish Objective 1 programme North Finland. In addition there is an Interreg programme IIIA North with specific sub-programmes (total: EUR 5.1 million) for the Sami population in Northern Europe.
For the period 2007 13, the Sami population will continue to be supported primarily through the rural development programme in Finland and Sweden for actions clearly linked to the objectives of rural development. In addition the Sami population in Sweden and Finland, like all citizens, are eligible for support from the Structural Funds programme in their area. The European Cooperation programme North will also have a sub-programme for the Sami population in Sweden and Finland.
In addition, 2007 has been designated as the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. This event will not only make the general public aware about the right to live a life without discrimination, but also highlight the social, cultural and economic richness that indigenous peoples contribute to our societies.
At the end of 2007, the High Level Group on the social and labour market integration of ethnic minorities will submit its report and recommendations. This Group, chaired by Rita Süssmuth, will examine, inter alia, the obstacles preventing ethnic minorities from participating fully in the labour market and in society as a whole. The Group's recommendations will provide valuable input for the drawing up of future EU policies.