February 7, 2007
UNPO Admits Six New Members
Below is an article published by UNHCR News:
The Hague, 07 February 2007 – In continued pursuit of its objective to give a voice to all nations and peoples working without adequate representation at international institutions and organisations, the newly elected Presidency of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) has admitted six new UNPO Members. The UNPO Presidency met from 01 to 03 February 2007 at the European Parliament in Brussels, where it considered several of the countless applications received over the past period and welcomed the following nations and peoples into the organisation:
Hmong ChaoFa – Representing the 300,000 Hmong presently residing in Laos, the ChaoFa Federated State works to promote a greater degree of self-determination for all Hmong communities, as well as an end to the continued violation of their social, political, and human rights.
Inner Mongolia – Following the loss of its independence in 1947, when control of Inner Mongolia was transferred by the USSR to China following the successful expulsion of invading Japanese forces, the Inner Mongolia Peoples Party works to preserve the cultural identity of its people, aspiring to an end of Communist Rule and a confederated union with China.
Iranian Kurdistan – Since Iranian authorities annexed the Republic of Mahabad (Kurdistan) in 1946, the aspirations for autonomy and self-rule amongst Iran’s Kurdish population has been systematically repressed. The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan works to promote their national rights, and aspires to a Federal and Democratic Iran with equal respect for all Iran’s minority communities.
Rehoboth Basters – Numbering approximately 35,000, the Rehoboth Basters presently reside in central Namibia. Despite colonial treaties affording their Captains Council a degree of self-determination within their ancestral lands, the Rehoboth Basters have lost control of much of this territory, and are presently campaigning for its rightful return.
Southern Azerbaijan – Working towards improving the conditions of all minorities within Iran, the Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement (SANAM) represents the Azerbaijani Turks living in north-western Iran, and is at present engaged in a peaceful and civil struggle in pursuit of their right to self-determination.
Tsimshian – The Tsimshian are a Native American and First Nation people, living “inside the Skeena River”, spanning southern Alaska and northern British Columbia. Their Hereditary Chiefs negotiate with Canadian authorities in an effort to secure formal recognition of the rights of First Nations across Canada.