10. HONE HARAWIRA (Māori Party—Te Tai Tokerau) Link to this
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
What steps has the New Zealand Government taken to denounce the shooting by Chilean forces of indigenous Rapa Nui, during an operation to evict them from stolen ancestral lands that they were seeking to reclaim?
Hon MURRAY McCULLY (Minister of Foreign Affairs) Link to this
The New Zealand Government views with concern reports of clashes between Chilean police and indigenous Polynesian residents of Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island. It is understood that the clashes occurred as the police attempted to remove indigenous protestors from buildings they occupied approximately 3 months ago. The New Zealand Government urges the parties to find a peaceful resolution to this matter, and will convey that view to the parties as appropriate.
Does the Minister support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as endorsed by the Governments of both New Zealand and Chile, which states that indigenous peoples have the right to not be forcibly removed from their lands or territories, and what steps will he recommend the New Zealand Government take to ensure that the rights of the Māori people of Rapa Nui are properly recognised?
Hon MURRAY McCULLY Link to this
With regard to the first part of the question, the Government’s support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is well known and is a matter of public record. With regard to the second part of the member’s question, the land, as I understand it, was occupied by protestors because they regard it as ancestral land that was unlawfully taken many years ago. The Government of Chile takes the view that it has acted to try to maintain law and order. I was delighted to see the statement of President Piñera in recent days that he hoped the land claim could be settled in a peaceful and harmonious manner, through dialogue. I understand that that sentiment has been reciprocated by some of the protestors, and that some progress, accordingly, is being made.
What steps can the Minister take to support the recommendation that the Māori Affairs Committee of the New Zealand House of Representatives travel to Rapa Nui to monitor the events there as New Zealand’s way of supporting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and, in particular, the rights of indigenous peoples to prompt resolution of disputes with States, and to effective remedies for all infringements of their rights?
Hon MURRAY McCULLY Link to this
I have to confess to the member that I was not previously aware of that recommendation from the Māori Affairs Committee, but the Government, of course, always gives the most serious consideration to representations made by the committee, as it will on this occasion.