United Nations Declaration on the rights of indigenous people - The AFNQL
applauds the initiative of the PQ and demands respect of the Declaration by
the government of Quebec

WENDAKE, QC, May 5 /CNW Telbec/ - The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL) is pleased about the initiative of the Party Quebecois proposing that the National Assembly gives its unqualified support to the United Nations Declaration on the rights of the Indigenous peoples.

Since September 2007, the date of the adoption of this Declaration by 144 countries, groups from the civil society, as well as the AFNQL, are using all the means to press the federal government to adopt this Declaration that is so important for Indigenous people around the world. Today, only two countries are absent: Canada and the United States. Although Canada promised to adopt the declaration during the recent speech from the throne, as of yet, nothing concrete has been realized.

"We are satisfied with the progress of the PQ proposal to have the National Assembly recognize the Declaration. We strongly wish that, once supported, the government of Quebec will respect all the articles as well as the values attached to it in its areas of competence. We are calling out for respect of the United Nations Declaration on the rights of the Indigenous peoples, in its entirety and at all levels", stressed the Chief of the AFNQL, Ghislain Picard.

About the AFNQL:

THE AFNQL is the regional body that includes 43 Leaders of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador. For information: www.apnql-afnql.com

For further information: Éric Cardinal, Communication officer, [phone] (cell)