CONSEJO INTERNACIONAL DE TRATADOS INDIOS

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The passing of Miguel Alfonso Martinez, a fierce lion in the fight for human rights and Treaties at the UN

The International Indian Treaty Council was shocked and saddened by the news of the passing in Havana on Monday, February 1^st of Dr. Miguel Alfonso Martinez.   He was 74.   Miguel was a tireless advocate for the rights of Indigenous Peoples within the United Nations.   A Cuban diplomat and University professor who served in many capacities in the international arena, Miguel was best known to Indigenous Peoples around the world as the UN Special Rapporteur for the Study on Treaties, Agreements and Constructive Arrangements between States and Indigenous Peoples.   He was an expert member and Chair of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Peoples (Populations), and served as the first Chairman of the Advisory Committee to the UN Human Rights Council. 

Miguel was a member of the IITC Advisory Council for over 15 years, and was good friend, advisor and colleague.  

IITC joins many others around the world in remembering Miguel with great respect and honor.  He never rested or lost his vigor, enthusiasm and commitment for the struggle for Human Rights and the rights of Indigenous Peoples.  He always stood with us firmly in our fight for recognition of Treaties and Treaty rights within the UN. 

Our deep condolences go to Portia his wife, their children and family, and his many friends and colleagues around the world.  We will never forget him or what he has done for us and with us, and his many contributions will live on through all of us.  

The following words were expressed by Miguel’s wife and companion of 30 years:   “Besides the great loss we are feeling as a family, this is also a terrible loss for all those causes Miguel defended so strenuously all his life, for the many struggles for human rights that he supported, and also for Cuba.  I can’t imaging right now who will replace him.”

Over 3500 peoples attended the Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving sunrise gathering on Alcatraz Island November 26th 2009, sponsored by IITC and AICA. For more photos by Francisco De Costa click here

Photos, UN Special Rapporteur on Right to Housing visit to Pine Ridge Reservation November 1, 2009 (for more photos)

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Our Mission

The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) 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, Traditional Cultures and Sacred Lands

Objectives

❖      To seek, promote and build participation of Indigenous Peoples in the United Nations (UN) and its specialized agencies, as well as other international forums.

❖      To seek international recognition for Treaties and Agreements between Indigenous Peoples and Nation-States.

❖      To support the human rights, self-determination and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples; to oppose colonialism in all its forms, and its effects upon Indigenous Peoples.

❖      To build solidarity and relationships of mutual support among Indigenous Peoples of the world.

❖      To disseminated information about Indigenous Peoples’ human rights issues, struggles,     concerns and perspectives.

❖      To establish and maintain one or more organizational offices to carry out IITC’s information dissemination, networking and human rights programs.