The law firm THUAN Dit DIEUDONNÉ has for several years developed a particular expertise in defending the rights of indigenous and indigenous peoples.
It is before the specialized bodies of the United Nations that this developing right can be usefully defended (Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Expert Mechanism, High Commissioner for Human Rights, Universal Periodic Review, Human Rights Council Human Rights Committee), but also in Europe (Council of Europe, European Union – Foreign Policy) in Africa (African Union) and South America (Inter-American Commission and Court of Human Rights).
The United Nations has become increasingly committed to the cause of indigenous peoples, who are believed to be among the most disadvantaged human groups in the world. These populations, also known as the “first peoples,” tribal or aboriginal, constitute at least 5,000 human groups representing 370 million people who live in more than 70 countries on five continents.
Excluded from decision-making processes, many were marginalized, exploited, forcibly assimilated and subjected to repression, torture and murder when they spoke out to defend their rights. For fear of persecution, they often seek refuge abroad where they sometimes have to silence their identity and renounce their traditional language and customs.
The focus on indigenous issues led in 2000 to the creation of a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council. Comprised of 16 members, this 16-member body, where indigenous experts sit at a level of parity with government-appointed experts, provides advisory services to the Economic and Social Council, helps coordinate the activities of the and examines indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, education, the environment, health and human rights.
On 29 June 2006, the Human Rights Council adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which was endorsed by the General Assembly on 13 September 2007.
The Declaration establishes the individual and collective rights of indigenous peoples, including those relating to culture, identity, language, employment, health and education.
It stresses the right of indigenous peoples to perpetuate and strengthen their institutions, culture and traditions and promote their development according to their aspirations and needs.
It also prohibits any form of discrimination against them and encourages their full and effective participation in all decisions of interest to them, including their right to maintain their integrity as a separate people and to freely ensure their economic and social development.
As part of his volunteer duties for the UAE (Union of European Lawyers) in the Council of Europe’s Conference of International Non-Governmental Organizations(OINGs), he was actively involved in the normative work of the OING Conference on this important topic by organizing a side event and co-authoring the CONF/PLE Recommendation(2017)REC2 on the subject, underscoring the need for implementation and accountability in this area.
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Me Gregory Thuan dit Dieudonné is invited to the World Energy Forum 2016 in New York, which is held at the United Nations headquarters, from October 19 to 22, 2016, bringing together world leaders in the energy field (heads of state and government, international organizations, corporations and private actors). He will be speaking as a…
Mr. Gregory Thuan dit Dieudonné, participated in the 15th United Nations Permanent Forum on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in New York and defended the rights of the indigenous Evenk people of Eastern Siberia against the Russian Federation.