Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MESSAGE FROM FIRST UNPO GENERAL SECRETARY, MR. MICHAEL VAN WALT VAN PRAAG . . . 5
UNPO TIMELINE . . . 12
UNPO ACTIVITIES . . . 18
MESSAGE FROM MR. LODI G. GYARI, SPECIAL ENVOY TO H.H. THE DALAI LAMA . . . 23
MESSAGE FROM FORMER UNPO PRESIDENTAND CURRENT VICE PRESIDENT OF ZANZIBAR, MR.
SEIF SHARIF HAMAD . . . 29
OUR SUPPORTERS . . . 31
During the time of its twenty years of existence, UNPO has faced one of the
most cruel and violent periods of recent history. Genocide and terrorism
became the central point of the International community of States and of
the United Nations – they became a routine part of life.
Questions regarding the implementation of the UN Charter; from respect for human rights to the right of
self-determination never arise at the top of the UN agenda nor have any regulated guidelines for the ma-
jor powers and States been established.
Despite this dramatic and unfavorable scenario UNPO has not been overcome by adverse conditions but,
time by time it is becoming a success story.
The UNPO story has always been inspired by the political lives of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King,
Ken Saro-Wiva (executed while UNPO vice President), and by HH the Dalai Lama who is honoring UNPO
with an important message for our forthcoming 20th anniversary.
There is a long line of Presidents and General Secretaries that have run the organisation; some Members
reached their goals while many others are still suffering severe oppression; all of them contributed at the
best to UNPO. Partners like International Campaign for Tibet, Taiwan Foundation for Democracy and the
Nonviolent Radical Party help UNPO in its more critical moments.
UNPO is no longer the organisation established in 1991. Its evolution has been marked by the relevant
reforms adopted in 2006 in Taipei with a new Covenant. A new vision of the goals of UNPO has been set
for the new millennium to affirm democracy as a fundamental human right, to implement human, civil
and political rights at all levels and everywhere; to affirm the right of autonomy, federalism and self-
determination in any country; to advance non-violent methodology as a real alternative to a violent and
unfair world.
What has been done is a lot, but very little in face of the reasons and aspirations that led to the UNPO’s
foundation. Our vision obliges us to exist; our members see UNPO as a major need.
But only commitment and determination will consent to give life to our dreams and to be for real in the
needs of the oppressed peoples.
Marino Busdachin
FEBRUARY | 2011 3
A MESSAGE FROM UNPO PRESIDENT MR. NGAWANG CHOEPHEL
UNPO Presidency believes that a responsible and substantive contribution by Members to uphold the
core principles our organization can make UNPO more effective in achieving an end to gross and system-
atic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms inflicted upon our peoples, including the de-
nial of right to autonomy and self-determination.
UNPO Presidency also believes that we have to now look to the future success of our unique family in the
next decade by further bridging a closer relationship amongst our Members so that we all have the com-
plete understanding of each other's freedom struggles that will strengthen UNPO's global network.
On behalf of UNPO Members, on this occasion of the 20th Anniversary we once again pledge to the world
of our total commitment to the principles of non-violence, human rights, self-determination, reconcilia-
tion and environment.
Ngawang Choephel
UNPO President
This is especially true as we find ourselves in a more polarised and more violent world once again. The
enormous hope we experienced for positive change in the 1990’s has been replaced by a climate of fear,
intolerance, big‐power competition and hostility. One consequence is the increased repression inflicted
upon many peoples under the guise of combating terrorism. Another is the destruction of the way of life
of indigenous and other peoples in the race for the extraction of the remaining mineral, carbohydrate
and forest resources of our planet. UNPO’s task is not an easy one. I wish to take this opportunity to con‐
gratulate the Presidency of UNPO, its General Secretary and the Secretariat staff, as well as all of the or-
ganisation’s Members for the tremendous work you are undertaking and the impact you are making in
the world. It is my fervent hope that the dreams and aspirations that led to the creation of UNPO will
some day become reality, so that the organisation may no longer be needed. Inshallah!
FEBRUARY | 2011 5
ABOUT UNPO
A VISION FOR PEACE, HUMAN RIGHTS AND SELF-DETERMINATION
On 11 February 1991, representatives of 15 nations and peoples 1 came together at the seat of interna-
tional law, the Peace Palace in The Hague, with a revolutionary idea. Representing occupied nations, in-
digenous peoples, minorities and other vulnerable or disenfranchised populations, their aim was to cre-
ate an international forum where unrepresented nations and peoples could air their legitimate griev-
ances. In pursuit of peace for their peoples and respect for human rights, these representatives joined
together on the steps of the International Court of Justice in a pact for world peace. The result of this
meeting was the establishment of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO), a body
The founders of UNPO were engaged in a common struggle to preserve their cultural identities, protect
the basic human rights of their peoples and advocate for a rights-based approach to international rela-
tions. A significant aspiration of these representatives was to regain recognition for their peoples as ac-
tive participants in global politics. Too often, their peoples faced extermination at the hands of colonizing
powers and invisibility in interna-
tional institutions. Rather than ac-
cepting this fate, UNPO members
banded together to secure the right
of self-determination for all peoples.
As noted in its covenant, UNPO is not
an organization for unrepresented
peoples; it is an organization of these
peoples, serving as a forum for shar-
ing experiences and developing non-
violent strategies for addressing
their problems.
THE CONTEXT
FEBRUARY | 2011 7
UNPO occurred as part of an
emerging global human rights
movement which followed the end
of the Cold War. As journalist
Frank Viviano noted, “[t]he trend is
being encouraged not only by wid-
ening access to the media but also
by the end of the Cold War, which
has made it easier for national
groups to assert themselves and
for outsiders to take up their cause
without being accused of further-
UNPO Members with flags at 1995 General Assembly ing the interests of rival power or
threatening the security of the host state. The end of the ideological rigidity is also creating a climate in
which there can be more sympathy for political, religious and cultural diversity.”3
Even before the founders came together in The Hague to sign the covenant, UNPO attracted global atten-
tion and gained recognition as a groundbreaking parallel political experiment in global governance. One
headline, a week before signing of the covenant, read, “Unrepresented Peoples Plan to Set Up Alternative
U.N.”4 The UNPO membership wanted to assure the world that it wasn’t creating a coalition to incite fur‐
ther conflict. The aim of UNPO’s Members is to be included in the family of nations as equals, not as a
competing entity. As drafted in the preamble, the organization is not intended to create an alliance of
participating Nations and Peoples against established States or against any individual State or groups of
States. Rather, as Menelzos Tzelios, a founding Member, said, “This organization gives us and many other
nations and peoples a chance to express our feelings, to voice our concerns. Other international organiza-
tions are not open to us. This gives us hope.”5
Two decades later, a steady stream of indigenous, minority and unrecognized peoples continues to ap-
proach UNPO for membership. Founded by just fifteen groups, the organization has experienced as-
tounding growth in its last twenty years and currently boasts 53 official Members. After more than two
decades worth of work in world politics, UNPO has seen a number of successes. Since the founding of
UNPO, six Members have been admitted to the UN: Estonia, Latvia, Armenia, Georgia, Palau and East
Timor (Timor-Leste). Nevertheless, the initial purpose of UNPO remains, as evidenced by the significant
and continuous growth in groups seeking representation through UNPO membership. This growth
clearly demonstrates the real need being fulfilled by the organization.
The driving force for the UNPO existence is summarized by its founding General Secretary, “I find it abso‐
lutely unbelievable that people like Tibetans, the Kurds and the elected leaders of Burma are not in-
cluded in international discussions about their own fates. Each nation should have the right to decide its
own destiny and to manage its own environment.”6
One of the principal objectives of UNPO is the prevention of violence and the peaceful resolution of dis-
putes. UNPO employs a number of methods, both direct and indirect, to achieve this goal.
One of UNPO’s methods for the prevention of disputes is the use of its unique early warning capabilities.
UNPO works with Members to identify instances of increased imbalance in an area and reduce the possi-
bility of violence through preventive practices and diplomatic efforts. UNPO is a grassroots organization,
maintaining close contact with Members who have direct lines of communication with the peoples they
represent. This allows UNPO to gather timely and vital information about emerging conflicts. It is also a
global movement, sending this vital information to capitols and centers for conflict resolution. Recogniz-
ing the importance of open and direct communication in preventive diplomacy, UNPO facilitates meet-
ings between its Members and representatives of state governments, international organizations, NGOs
and the media. This early warning and action system allows for timely global action, supplementing in-
ternational bodies that lack either the strength or the speed necessary to anticipate and act on crises in a
timely manner. Chechnya, Ogoni (Nigeria), East Timor, Kosova and Aceh are just a few examples in which
UNPO has sounded an early warning prior to the outbreak of severe violence and loss of life. Unfortu-
nately, UNPO’s warnings have often gone unheeded by the international community, which continues to
give very little weight to the legitimate grievances expressed by such nations and peoples.
In addition to directly acting to quell potential and ongoing outbreaks of violence, UNPO offers alterna-
tive paths for Members to secure fundamental freedoms. UNPO offers training and support for nonvio-
lent methods of activism. Where these nonviolent struggles are met with violent repression, UNPO serves
as a witness and advocate, protecting vulnerable peoples by bringing these instances to the attention of
the international community and bringing international pressure to bear on the offending parties.
FEBRUARY | 2011 9
The promotion of the concept of self-
determination is another important
part of UNPO’s work for peace. While
international law recognizes the
right of nations to freely determine
their own form of governance and
political representation, this legal
principle is silent on what consti-
tutes a nation, and how nations
should go about making such deci-
sions. While the concept of self-
determination has been inconsis-
tently and ambiguously interpreted
within the realm of international
Ogoni protest in the Niger Delta, November 2007
power politics and international
law,7 UNPO asserts that all peoples
have the right to self-determination, and that only through the recognition of this right can stability be
established. As noted by scholars, “unresolved disputes over self-determination have formed the basis
for the vast majority of violent conflicts in the world since 1945.” 8 Indeed, civil conflict accounted for all
but three of the wars that broke out in the twelve year period beginning in 1990, and accounted for 90
percent of civilian and combatant battle deaths during this period.9
When Mr. van Walt van Praag became the first foreigner to be granted a visa to Estonia as an independ-
ent nation, he commented on the cause of conflict and the possible remedies for peace, arguing that in-
stability is not a result of movements for freedom but rather the long periods of oppression which the
people involved in such movements have faced. Stability requires that individual nations and peoples be
allowed to develop varying forms of self-determination. When such voluntary processes are denied, in-
stability is introduced. UNPO strongly believes that lasting stability is only possible where equality, free
choice and mutual benefit underlie the relations among the world’s peoples. Mr. van Walt van Praag
sums up this view with the following statement:
We must move away from the misguided view of stability premised on immediate
or short-term economic and political considerations to a long-term perspective
which will ensure the peaceful co-existence of all peoples. Universal recognition
and support for peoples right to self-determination is the cornerstone of a truly
peaceful and stable world.10
Contrary to popular perception, self-determination does not necessarily imply secession, separate na-
tionhood, or even autonomy; this term simply refers to the right of all peoples to freely determine their
political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. The exercise of this
right can result in a variety of outcomes, ranging from political independence to full integration within an
existing state.
Since 1991 the non-violent methods by which UNPO achieves its goals have been recognized throughout
the world. UNPO has been awarded the 1991 Tolerance Award, 1992 Social Innovation Award (The Body
UNPO provides an avenue for advocacy at the international level for nations and peoples that have been
excluded, and in extreme cases exterminated, through centuries of slave labor and state-sanctioned legis-
lation. UNPO provides services to assist Members at the UN and regional mechanisms. It also provides
conflict resolution services, assistance and advocacy in strategic planning for peace and justice efforts,
election and referendum monitoring in democracy building, as well as trainings which enhance empow-
erment and allow for cultural preservation and promotion through capacity building.
UNPO builds on this important element of indigenous advocacy through training programs in diplomacy,
legal activism and continued consultation and advice, human rights protection and promotion, democ-
ratic principles and practice, media relations and nonviolence skills and strategies. The skills developed
and strategies designed in such trainings are applied to advocacy through international mechanisms.
UNPO Members, with the assistance and support provided by UNPO, engage in the vast and complex
processes of the United Nations. Through these and other efforts, Members develop the diplomatic and
negotiation skills necessary to navigate among the intricate international political balances.
As a core channel of communication between the peoples in their communities and global civil society,
the UNPO secretariat aims to keep international organizations, governments, NGOs and the media in-
formed, providing a unique perspective to the global discussion. UNPO serves as catalyst among parties
involved in seeking solutions to conflicts, and is also involved on the ground, serving as an intermediary
between parties in conflict. The organization is uniquely capable of carrying out this role, as “it has the
trust and confidence of its Member nations and peoples and at the same time it enjoys a level of recogni-
tion in the international community which provides access to expertise and credibility.”11
Notes:
(1) Present at this founding meeting were representatives from Tibet, Taiwan, Kurdistan, East Turkestan, Latvia, Tatarstan,
Palau (Belau), Australian Aboriginals, Cordillera, West Papua, Estonia, Armenia, Georgia, the Greek Minority in Albania and
the Crimean Tatars.
(2) Sarah Lambert, “World’s minorities seek a voice,” The Independent, 7 August 1991, p. 16.
(3) Frank Viviano, “World’s Wannabe Nations Sound Off,” San Francisco Chronicle, 31 January 1995, p. A6.
(4) “Unrepresented Peoples Plan to Set Up Alternative U.N.”, The Wall Street Journal Europe, February 5, 1991.
(5) George de Lama, “Stateless peoples seek to state their cause,” Chicago Tribune, 14 February, 1993, p. 23
(6) Jeff Greenwald, “Getting the World to Listen,” Los Angeles Times, 23 April 1992, p. E1, E6.
(7) FitzGerald, Valpy, Frances Stewart and Rajesh Venugopal (2006). Globalization, Self-Determination and Violent Conflict
Palgrave Macmillan. 2006, Hampshire. p. 3.
(8) FitzGerald, Valpy, Frances Stewart and Rajesh Venugopal (2006). Globalization, Self-Determination and Violent Conflict
Palgrave Macmillan. 2006, Hampshire. p. 6.
(9) Lacina, Bethany (2006). “Explaining the Severity of Civil Wars” Journal of Conflict Resolution. Vol. 50 No. 2, pp. 276 – 289. p.
276.
(10) The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization: The First Decade,
(The Netherlands: Drukkerij Brummelkamp, 2001), p. 9.
(11) The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization: The First Decade,
(The Netherlands: Drukkerij Brummelkamp, 2001), p. 7.
FEBRUARY | 2011 11
UNPO TIMELINE
1994: Report on Trial of Leaders of Greek Minority in Albanian Second General Assembly 1991
Mission to Greek Minority in Albanian
Mission to Taiwan
2000: Ten Years of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization and
the Rights of Peoples; conference organized in Tallinn, Estonia
Chechnya mission 1995
2001: Seventh General Assembly, Tallinn, Estonia.
Report on Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan and Magistrate Elections
FEBRUARY | 2011 13
Visit to Mapucheland, Chile
2nd session of the Forum on Minority Issues
5th Parliamentary Assembly on Tibet, Rome
International Day of Human Rights event,Manifesto Presented to Dutch Parliament, The Hague
Tibet: Autonomy v Independence’ Turin, Italy
Rebiya Kadeer visit to the Netherlands
2010:
Visit to Ogoniland, Human Rights Training and Fielf Visits, Nigeria
8th Presidency, Rome. Conference on the principle of non-refoulement
7th Session of the Working Group on the UPR – Iran under review. Lobbying Mission and parallel event
76th session on the Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Cambodia
Conference on human rights in Pakistan, demonstration, UN, Geneva
Conference on Dialogue in the Situation of Human Rights of Minorities in South Asia, UN, Geneva
Interventions during the 13th Session of the Human Rights Council
Hearing on Human Rights in Ogaden, European Parliament, Brussels
Crimean Tatar European Parliament Conference
Movies That Matter Film Festival- Rebiya Kadeer in the Netherlands United Nations Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues New York, USA
Khmer Krom youth conference, Philadelphia
Uyghur Training and Conference, European Parliament, Brussels
Conference: Democratic Movement in Iran: Pitfalls and Potential, Italian Parliament, Rome
Hearing at the Italian Senate on minorities in Iran, Rome
Speak Out! Indigenous Voices, Human Rights Training for Youth, The Hague
UNPO Training on Human Rights and Activism for Degar-Montagnard
Members, South Carolina, USA
UNPO “Digital Democracy” Side Event at 15h Session of UN Human Rights
Council, UN, Geneva
CEDAW Pre-Sessional Working Group: Ethiopia, UN, Geneva
CAT review of Ethiopia, UN, Geneva
Gilgit-Baltistan Conference, European Parliament, Brussels
15th Anniversary of the Execution of former UNPO Vice Chair, Ken Saro Wiwa, public event and commemo-
rative concert The Hague,.
Working visit to investigate situation of the Batwa, Rwanda
UNPO Delegation to the UN Forum on Minority Issues, Geneva
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: THE DALAI LAMA VISITS UNPO IN THE HAGUE (2009); NNEKA PERFORMS AT A 2010 ME-
MORIAL CONCERT COMMEMORATING THE DEATH OF KEN SARO WIWA; 2010 UNPO MISSION TO BATWA
(RWANDA)
Some of our Members want full recognition in the form of a sovereign and independent state. Others
merely wish respect for their fundamental rights, especially in the cultural domain. It is the spirit of mu-
tual respect, where no one group tries to impose its objectives on the others, that allows peoples to co-
exist within UNPO. UNPO is, above all, a platform that each of us use to promote our issues. We share the
same pillow, even though we have different dreams.
Our Members adhere to non-violence, respect for human rights, self-determination and democracy, and
mutual tolerance. The criteria of non-violence may seem in contradiction with the reality that some of
our Members were engaged in an armed struggle. This is often purely in self-defense, in order to survive
as a people. I think our position can be summarized as follows: violence is unacceptable as long as there
are ways of making ourselves heard. Wherever the possibility exists, peoples should reaffirm their exis-
tence and pursue their objectives through peaceful ways of expression. In its 20th year of existence, UNPO
has accomplished much: the voices of more than 70 peoples are now heard. International recognition of
UNPO as a legitimate forum where peoples can address problems and open dialogue with governments is
growing. However, many challenges still lie ahead of us. Everywhere states are intensifying their politics
of oppression, cultural assimilation and economic exploitation by force. Perhaps the greatest threat to us
unrepresented peoples is the loss of our identity. We all have different dreams but our primary mutual
objective is to see our own culture and uniqueness flourish in our homelands. This wish is the same for
Uyghurs, Tibetans and the Inner Mongols, for the Mapuche of Chile, the Australian Aboriginals, the Batwa
of Rwanda and the Chechen people in Russia.
As one of the forefathers of the idea of UNPO, its former vice chairman and former interim General Secre-
tary, I would like to reiterate my commitment to our organization. I am sure that UNPO will lead us into a
new and brighter millennium and will continue to strive for peaceful realization of our dreams.
Erkin Alptekin
FEBRUARY | 2011 15
WORLD MAP OF UNPO MEMBERS (AS OF FEBURARY 2011)
ABKHAZIA
ABORIGINALS OF AUSTRALIA
AFRIKANER
AHWAZ
ASSYRIA
BALOCHISTAN
BATWA
BURMA
BURYATIA
CABINDA
CHIN
CIRCASSIA
CORDILLERA
CRIMEAN TATARS
DEGAR-MONTAGNARDS
EAST TURKESTAN
GILGIT BALTISTAN
HMONG CHAOFA
HUNGARIANS IN ROMANIA
INNER MONGOLIA
IRANIAN KURDISTAN
IRAQI KURDISTAN
IRAQI TURKMEN
KA LAHUI HAWAI’I
KARENNI
KOSOVA
MAASAI
MAPUCHE
MON
MORO
NAGALIM
OGADEN
OGONI
OROMO
REHOBOTH BASTERS
SANJAK
SCANIA
SINDH
SOMALILAND
SOUTHERN AZERBAIJAN
SOUTHERN CAMEROONS
SOUTH MOLUCCAS
TAIWAN
TIBET
TSIMSHIAN
TUVA
UDMURT
VHAVENDA
WEST BALOCHISTAN
ZANZIBAR
FEBRUARY | 2011 17
UNPO ACTIVITIES
Drawing attention to issues affecting marginalized groups at the United Nations has been a central focus
of UNPO’s work over the past 20 years. The aim of the organization is to ensure that UNPO Members are
able to effectively access and take part in discussions within the international bodies mandated to pro-
tect their rights. Members have participated in various sessions of the Human Rights Council, the Perma-
nent UN Forum on Minority Issues and the UN Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues. UNPO has also
continued to contribute to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, an initiative launched in 2008 to
review the human rights records of UN Member States, both in terms of submitting reports and attending
sessions. Expanding its work to consider Treaty Body mechanisms, UNPO has also participated in the
Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimina-
tion Against Women, the Committee Against Torture and the Human Rights Committee. Over the past
two decades UNPO has vastly increased its capacity to help facilitate discussion on minority issues in in-
ternational arenas.
UNPO representatives in front of the Palais des Nations, headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) coordinates nine
human rights treaty bodies which monitor the implementation of the core international human
rights treaties by signatory states. These include the Committee on Economic Social and Cultural
Rights (CESCR), the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), the Committee
on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Committee Against Torture
(CAT) & Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT), and the Committee on En-
forced Disappearance (CED), which entered into force in 2010. UNPO is actively engaged with the
work of many of these treaty bodies as it relates to UNPO Members. This engagement includes the
submission of detailed reports prior to the meetings of the committees, the coordination of delega-
tions of UNPO staff and Member representatives to give testimony at the committee meetings, and
monitoring and follow-up on countries’ implementation of recommendations issued by the com‐
mittees. This work has been highly successful in recent years, gaining increasing recognition by the
committee members, and as a result, greater influence in the work of the committees and their re-
sulting recommendations.
The Forum on Minority Issues was established to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and
cooperation on issues pertaining to national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. It also pro-
FEBRUARY | 2011 19
vides thematic input into the work of the Independent Expert on Minority Issues. The first session
of the Forum was convened in 2008; since that time, UNPO has coordinated two large delegations
of Member representatives to the Forum. These delegations were both highly successful in facili-
tating the participation of UNPO Members and building stronger connections with external com-
munities of minority groups, advocates, experts and United Nations officials.
Democracy is a central tenet of UNPO’s work. In support of this tenet, UNPO engages in election monitor‐
ing missions where appropriate. The documentation produced by these missions as well as its dissemi-
nation on an international scale strengthens democracy and good governance in the states involved. One
of UNPO’s first missions sent representatives to Abkhazia, Georgia and the Northern Caucasus to investi‐
gate the ongoing conflict in the region. One of the major aims of the mission was to research possible me-
diation and negotiation strategies involving the major parties. The mission met with elected officials, dip-
lomats, international humanitarian agencies, NGOs and victims of the violence, and it recorded wide-
spread violations of human rights from both sides. UNPO called for major parties to begin negotiating a
ceasefire, and for the newly appointed OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities to make an offi-
cial visit to the region. More recently, UNPO undertook an election-monitoring mission in Iraqi Kurdi-
stan. This mission was intended to examine the conduct of the 25 July 2009 parliamentary and presiden-
tial elections in the region's Erbil Governorate. UNPO issued a number of recommendations based on its
observations during the mission, including calls for improved voter education, better training for elec-
toral staff, encouragement of independent media coverage and support for civil society engagement.
An expanding and dynamic European Union has increasingly become a forum within which issues affect-
ing UNPO Members are debated and where their presence and visibility has consequently become of
great importance. UNPO has dedicated considerable efforts to working with an expanding network of
partners within the European Parliament, ensuring that UNPO Members are able to make efficient and
effective use of its political instruments. UNPO Members are increasingly included in relevant high‐level
hearings, panels and conferences, and UNPO has arranged a number of meetings between MEPs and
Member representatives. The UNPO Secretariat has also been able to monitor and react to positions of
the European Parliament as never before, lobbying for the inclusion of Member issues in resolutions, re-
ports and circulated letters, and promoting this through an expanding international media network.
Founded at the Peace Palace in The Hague, UNPO has always had close ties to the Netherlands and the
Municipality of The Hague. The city is the international home of peace and justice – themes which under-
pin the ethos of UNPO. A base in the Netherlands allows UNPO to make strong international links, con-
necting those suffering the consequences of exclusion and exploitation with appropriate mechanisms
under which these issues can be addressed. UNPO maintains a close relationship with the Dutch Parlia-
ment as well as the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Dutch government is often a leader in foreign
20 UNPO 20TH ANNIVERSARY
policy related to human rights and situations of
armed conflict. UNPO Members are provided with
an opportunity to provide their input into debates
made by representatives of the Dutch government,
informing Dutch decision-making and raising the
profile of UNPO Members.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
FEBRUARY | 2011 21
as a reliable source of first-hand
knowledge and information for
journalists and policy-makers.
UNPO reacts quickly to news af-
fecting Members by issuing urgent
appeals, campaigns and state-
ments of condemnation or con-
cern. Additionally, UNPO regularly
produces publications addressing
topics of concern to its Members
from their perspective, contribut-
ing valuable insight to a number of
highly relevant debates.
UNPO West Balochistan representative Monireh Sulemani speaks at a can-
dlelight vigil in Rome, 2010
FEBRUARY | 2011 23
SUCCESS STORIES
UNPO MEMBERS BUILDING PEACE AND GAINING PROMINENCE ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
ZANZIBAR
KOSOVA
Six former Members of UNPO have achieved full, internationally recognized statehood, and are
now members of the United Nations:
ESTONIA
Founding Member of UNPO.
Member of the United Nations since17 September 1991.
GEORGIA
Founding Member of UNPO.
Member of the United Nations since17 September 1991.
LATVIA
Founding Member of UNPO.
Member of the United Nations since 17 September 1991.
ARMENIA
Founding Member of UNPO
Member of the United Nations since 2 March 1992
BELAU (PALAU)
Founding Member of UNPO
Member of the United Nations since 15 December 1994
FEBRUARY | 2011 25
THE CHALLENGES AHEAD
The work of UNPO, much like the world in which it operates, is increasingly complex. While the past 20
years have seen the success of several movements for statehood from nations formerly occupied by the
USSR, many more such movements have been violently suppressed, rejected by both state governments
individually and the international community as a whole.
Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, governments have found a new weapon to use against
those who advocate for self-determination, the recognition of their rights and the survival of their cul-
ture. Accusations of terrorism are now routinely leveled against many peaceful advocacy groups. Such
accusations are meant to lend legitimacy to brutal crackdowns on groups working for their rights. UNPO
works to counter false charges against its Members, defending them in international institutions as well
as the court of public opinion.
The coming years present a daunting array of new challenges for the organization and its Members. Cli-
mate change, population growth and the continued effects of the global economic crisis have and will
continue to affect UNPO Members more acutely than much of the world. The effects of global climate
change and population growth are expected to drastically increase conflict over the control and distribu-
tion of increasingly scarce resources, particularly among groups such as UNPO’s Members, which are de‐
nied access to political institutions and systems of redress at both the local and international levels. The
effects of the global financial crisis are likewise felt most strongly among those groups that were already
economically vulnerable. UNPO aims to counter the negative effects of these trends, quelling the flames
of conflict by encouraging alternative methods of engagement for the peaceful resolution of conflict, and
addressing the root causes by promoting the right of all peoples to a peaceful and legitimate process of
self-determination.
UNPO looks to the future with the same sense of purpose that was present at the Peace Palace 20 years
ago. Just as its Members cannot step away from the struggles they face in their daily lives, UNPO will not
yield in its efforts to project their voices into the international arena.
26 UNPO 20TH ANNIVERSARY
A MESSAGE FROM HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA
His Holiness the Dalai Lama visits UNPO in The Hague, the Netherlands, 1994
FEBRUARY | 2011 27
A MESSAGE FROM FORMER UNPO PRESIDENT, MR. LEDUM MITEE
That within even the first decade of its existence the UNPO mem-
bership quadrupled and spread across the globe is testament to the universality of its message and the
acceptance of its relevance to world peace. Its achievements, though at times understated, have been
phenomenal. Whilst several of the members who sought self determination are now self governing, oth-
ers are in peace processes whilst several others are increasingly attaining international visibility and ex-
posure. The case of the Ogoni people that I represent is distinctive. The profound sustained international
attention and support that our struggle has maintained sprang from our membership in the UNPO, which
not only exposed our cause internationally but also built our capacities for international engagements.
Our international campaign has been so successful that though it could not save the lives of Ken Saro-
Wiwa and my other colleagues, the fact that I and others were spared is testament to the extent of the
local and international pressure that it generated.
Realizing that the diverse membership of the UNPO easily represents some of the world’s trouble spots
(because of the injustices suffered by members), it is my fervent hope that the world recognizes that in
our diversity lies our strength, and that the universality of our valued principles inspires the hope for
world peace!
Ledum Mitee
The Founding members of UNPO set principles which were the navigation compass that provided direc-
tion on the kinds of activities required for achieving the set goals and mission. UNPO is dedicated to five
principles enshrined in its covenant: The right to self-determination; adherence to the internationally
accepted human rights standards as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other
international instruments; adherence to the principles of democratic pluralism and rejection of totalitari-
anism and religious intolerance; promotion of non-violence and the rejection of terrorism as an instru-
ment of policy and protection of the natural environment
UNPO principles lean on peaceful means of struggle. This means that, once rights desired are obtained,
they will not leave scars that vividly remind of the bitter past of struggle, and hence will not create room
for revenge. Instead they will establish consultation and consensus in future decision making, friendship
and forbearance among the once opposing factions, and green earth as habitat which all of humankind
and other living organisms dwell upon.
UNPO aimed at and, still aims at raising the awareness of the sufferings of its members to decision mak-
ing bodies of the word together with raising self-understanding and determination of its members and
readiness to peacefully fight against oppression of any sort. To achieve this aim UNPO has initiated and
carried out a number of activities, including special programs which aim at raising the awareness of its
members globally and assisting members to participate in international forums. UNPO organizes semi-
nars on issues of importance to its members especially in the areas of non-violent struggles against op-
pressions, the respect of human rights, the observance of international law, as well as the upholding of
the democratic principles and the right to self determination.
UNPO sets up missions for its members. It tasks such missions to investigate its members’ situations,
and also to assist in peaceful resolutions of disputes and conflicts that affect them. Reports collected are
disseminated to stakeholders worldwide.
One of the important UNPO activities is lobbying especially at the United Nations bodies, European Par-
liament and the European Commission, on issues of importance concerning its members. It acts as a liai-
son between the members and these international forums. It has defended cases of violations against its
members to the United Nations Commission for Human Rights and Human Rights Council to mention the
few.
UNPO participates in UN meetings and increases the exposure of its members to UN bodies, facilitates
understanding of its members on global issues and brings closer those who are suffering to the eyes of
FEBRUARY | 2011 29
world decision makers. Normally UNPO acts as a mediator between NGO’s and UN bodies. Recently it
has worked very closely to present members’ concerns in the Universal Periodic Review. Continuously it
assists in raising its members concerns to United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous People.
In these 20 years UNPO takes pride in its growth. Starting with only 15 members it has now grown to a
prominent forum with about 70 members distributed worldwide from Ka Lahui in Hawaii and Trimshian
in the west to South Mollucas in the east, from Inkeri and Dene Nation in the north to Mapuche and Afri-
caner in the south. As an organization it has received a number of awards, including: 1991 Tolerance
Award, 1992 Social Innovation Award (The Body Shop), 1998 Petra Kelly Peace Award (Heinrich Böll
Foundation) and was nominated for the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize and 1994 Right to Livelihood Award.
Through UNPO, members have opportunities to present their cases to international bodies such as: the
United Nations Human Rights Council, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and
European Union institutions as well as some regional institutions.
There are a number of vivid achievements of UNPO as an organization. Some of its members achieved
the desired end of their struggles. To mention a few, East Timor gained independence from Indonesia in
2002. Some former socialist republics of the Soviet Union gained either United Nations recognition or
autonomy agreements. These include Armenia, Estonia, Georgia and Latvia. Palau gained independence
in 1994. Albanians in Macedonia reached an agreement on wider rights with Macedonia in 2001. Bugain-
ville attained an autonomy agreement with Papua New Guinea in 2000. Gagauzia reached an autonomy
agreement with Moldova in 1994. Aceh arrived at an autonomy agreement with Indonesia in 2005; and
Lakotah Nation was declared as Republic of Lakotah in 2007. In Zanzibar, now there is a Government of
National Unity, and CUF, a member of UNPO, is an integeral part of it.
I, therefore, humbly urge all nations and peoples who are struggling for their rights to recognize the im-
portant role that UNPO can play in facilitating them to achieve their goals, only if they are prepared to
abide by the five covenants of UNPO, should they wish to join the forum. UNPO is an important instru-
ment in the promotion of the rights of, and the recognition of those in suffering, and hence encouraging
understanding regionally and globally and ultimately resolving the impasse.
I take this opportunity to congratulate UNPO for it’s good and commendable achievements attained so
far. Many sufferings have been brought to an end through UNPO activities, missions, deliberations and
interventions.
However the world still experiences a number of sufferings, human rights violations, dictatorship and
environmental degradation. UNPO still has a lot of work ahead. I hope with the conviction and determi-
nation of the UNPO Presidency and the General Secretariat, under the able leadership of the General Sec-
retary secretary much can be done and more sufferings will be ended.
UNPO is a success story. We are all proud of it. We are looking forward to witness a spirited UNPO scor-
ing more successes in the near future. All of us should support it spiritually, morally, materially, and fi-
nancially.
Contributions from governments, foundations, NGOs and individuals, as well as annual fees from the
Members themselves, provide much-needed resources that enable UNPO to continue carrying out its
work. In addition to the contribution of funds, UNPO would not succeed without the tireless work of
countless volunteers and interns who donate their time to advance the organization’s work. Without the
support of its many contributors, UNPO would not be able to succeed. UNPO extends its thanks to the
following funders, past and present:
Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs Stichting Grote Berg (the Netherlands)
Our thanks go out to the many other funders whose contributions, both large and small, have been in-
strumental in the UNPO’s work over the past twenty years. Our thanks also goes out to the extraordinary
efforts of UNPO staff and volunteers, past and present, which allow the organization to continue its ex-
traordinary work.
FEBRUARY | 2011 31
The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) is a democratic, international
membership organization. Its Members are indigenous peoples, occupied nations, minorities and
independent states or territories who have joined together to protect their human and cultural
rights, preserve their environments and find non-violent solutions to conflicts which affect them.
The sustainability of UNPO is partly ensured through much valued donations. Your contribution is
crucial to ensuring the continued efforts of UNPO to guarantee participation in international fo-
rums of those whose voices are most often unheard. UNPO is a non-profit organization which re-
lies on membership fees, grants and donations, and your support is therefore highly appreciated.
Bank details:
Bank: ABN Amro Bank
Bank Address: Javastraat 1, P.O. Box 4,
2501 CA, The Hague,
The Netherlands
Beneficiary: Stichting UNPO
Account number: 50.05.02.145
BIC Code: ABNANL2A
IBAN Code: NL80ABNA0500502145
To donate online visit www.unpo.org and for further information or enquiries please contact the
UNPO Secretariat at unpo@unpo.org
Tel.: +31 (0)70 3646504
Fax: +31 (0)70 3646608