Incomindios Switzerland
Encyclopedia
Incomindios Switzerland is a human rights organization
that focuses on the rights of the native populations of North
, South
, and Central America
.
The organization was founded in 1974 on the suggestion of members of the International Indian Treaty Council
.
Since 2003, the organization has been given non-governmental organization
status (Category II) at the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations
.
Today Incomindios Switzerland has over 1,000 members and is headquartered in Zürich
.
. This task continues through the efforts of a voluntary task force.
Other voluntary working groups are involved in efforts for the release of Leonard Peltier
, against uranium mining
in Indian lands, and for improved education and communications infrastructure for Indians.
The three key focuses of the organizations are:
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
that focuses on the rights of the native populations of North
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, South
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, and Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
.
The organization was founded in 1974 on the suggestion of members of the International Indian Treaty Council
International Indian Treaty Council
-Mission:The International Indian Treaty Council is an organization of Indigenous Peoples from North,Central, South America, the Caribbean and the Pacific working for the Sovereignty and Self- Determination of Indigenous Peoples and the recognition and protection of Indigenous Rights, Treaties,...
.
Since 2003, the organization has been given non-governmental organization
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
status (Category II) at the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
.
Today Incomindios Switzerland has over 1,000 members and is headquartered in Zürich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
.
Activities
Incomindios Switzerland was originally founded to give Indian groups access to the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations in GenevaGeneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
. This task continues through the efforts of a voluntary task force.
Other voluntary working groups are involved in efforts for the release of Leonard Peltier
Leonard Peltier
Leonard Peltier is a Native American activist and member of the American Indian Movement . In 1977 he was convicted and sentenced to two consecutive terms of life imprisonment for first degree murder in the shooting of two Federal Bureau of Investigation agents during a 1975 conflict on the Pine...
, against uranium mining
Uranium mining
Uranium mining is the process of extraction of uranium ore from the ground. The worldwide production of uranium in 2009 amounted to 50,572 tonnes, of which 27% was mined in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia are the top three producers and together account for 63% of world uranium...
in Indian lands, and for improved education and communications infrastructure for Indians.
The three key focuses of the organizations are:
- Rights
- Culture and education
- Natural resources