In its first session the Human Rights Council adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, with 30 voting in favour and 2 against (Canada – which had called for the vote – and Russia), with 12 abstentions. The vote took place after 21 years of discussions; 10 in the Working Group on Indigenous Peoples and the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities; and 11 in the Working Group on the Draft Declaration (WGCD). The vote signaled a good beginning for the Human Rights Council.
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