Eskender Bariiev calls for a global study on indigenous peoples’ participation in peacebuilding

On Wednesday, 18 September, on the eve of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Eskender Bariiev, Chairman of the Board of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center and a member of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, participated in a briefing on ‘Indigenous peacebuilding as a way to mitigate violent conflict and ensure a more peaceful world’ in New York.

In his speech, the expert:

•  noted that indigenous peoples are victims of colonial policies of some states, wars and conflicts in the world;
• emphasised that there can be no peace and sustainable development without compliance with the UN Charter and international law;
• called for support for the peace formula of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which consists of 10 points and could be universal to end other wars;
• noted that peace efforts are now being discussed at high political levels, behind closed doors, where indigenous peoples are not represented;
• emphasised that decisions on indigenous lands cannot be made without IPs’ participation;

The Head of the CTRC Board called for:

1) Holding a global study on IPs’ participation in peacebuilding;

2) The UN, world governments and other multilateral organisations to adopt an ‘International Decade of Indigenous Peoples’ Peacebuilding’;