Ukraine demonstrates democratic attitude towards indigenous peoples – Emine Dzhaparova

First Deputy Information Policy Minister of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova stated this in congratulations on the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples posted on her Facebook page.

"Since 2014, Ukraine has been demonstrating democratic attitude towards the indigenous peoples – the Karaites, the Krymchaks and the Crimean Tatars – by joining the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (along with Canada). The world welcomed this fact as Ukraine had abstained in the vote on the Declaration’s adoption in 2007," Dzhaparova noted.

As reported, on March 20, 2014, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the resolution to recognize the Crimean Tatars as the indigenous people of Ukraine. Thus, Ukraine joined the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The next step should be adoption of the relevant laws as stipulated by the Constitution of Ukraine.

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was established on the initiative of the UN General Assembly in 1994. It is dedicated to the preservation of indigenous peoples on the planet, protection of their rights, culture and achievements.

According to UN estimates, indigenous peoples now make up about 370 million people who live in more than 70 countries in the world.

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