The plights of the indigenous peoples around the world attracted the attention of the International Community that had propelled the United Nations General Assembly to adopt the Resolution 49/214 on December 23, 1994 deciding that the International Day of the World indigenous peoples shall be observed on 9th August every year.
According to United Nations sources there are an estimated 370 million indigenous people in the world, living across 90 countries. They make up less than 5 per cent of the world’s population, but account for 15 per cent of the poorest. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures.
This year the Day is under the theme: Indigenous Peoples’ Rights to Education.
Beside the numerous efforts undertaken by the International Community to mitigate the injustices against them the right to education has not been fully realized for most indigenous peoples, and a critical education gap exists between indigenous peoples and the general population in all regions of the world.
Historically the indigenous peoples have been suffering from abuses, discrimination and marginalization but also they have been known for their continuous struggle for equality and respect for their rights.
AASU would like to use this occasion to call for the total respects of their rights in particular the right to education as peoples and individuals.
Stop looking down on indigenous peoples!
Let’s all respect the rights of indigenous peoples!
Source: aasuonline.org
