"Indigenous peoples shall not be forcibly r e m o v e d f r o m their lands or territories, x x x " " "Indigenous peoples have the right to participate i n decisionm a k i n g i n matters w h i c h w o u l d affect their rights, t h r o u g h representatives chosen b y themselves i n accordance w i t h their o w n procedures, as w e l l as t o m a i n t a i n and d e v e l o p t h e i r o w n i n d i g e n o u s decision-making institutions."'^ "States shall consult a n d cooperate i n good faith w i t h t h e indigenous peoples concerned through their o w n representative institutions i n order t o o b t a i n t h e i r free, p r i o r a n d i n f o r m e d consent before adopting a n d implementing legislative o r administrative measures that m a y affect t h e m . " ' ^ "States shall establish a n d implement, i n conjunction w i t h i n d i g e n o u s peoples c o n c e m e d , a fair, independent, i m p a r t i a l , o p e n and transparent process, g i v i n g d u e recognition t o indigenous peoples' laws, traditions, customs a n d land tenure systems, t o recognize and adjudicate the rights o f indigenous peoples pertaining t o their lands, territories and resources, including those w h i c h w e r e traditionally o w n e d o r otherwise occupied o r used. Indigenous p e o p l e s s h a l l h a v e t h e r i g h t t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h i s process."'"* T h e right t o participation is a n important element o f democracy h u m a n rights. Lest w e forget, " D e m o c r a c y is the government o f the peop b y the people, for the people."'^ O n August 9, 2008, t h e w o r l d will b e celebrating the "Internati D a y o f t h e W o r l d ' s I n d i g e n o u s P e o p l e s . " ' ^ I t i s sad t h a t issues s u r r o our indigenous peoples should come at such an inopportune time. Recommendations A l l stated, recommendations: t h e C o m m i s s i o n respectfiilly puts forth the follow F o r the E x e c u t i v e , especiallv those i n v o l v e d i n the peace process: 1. /V- t o conduct meaningful a n d constructive consultations a n d dialogues w i t h a l l stakeholders during negotiations a n d prior t o t h e d r a f t i n g , a n d s i g n i n g , o f a n y s u c h a g r e e m e n t , o j Article 8, paragraph 1, Ibid. " Article 10, Ibid. '^Article 18, Ibid. " Article 19, Ibid. Article 27, Ibid. Abraham Lincoln 16 By Resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994 of the United Nations General Assembly -5-