Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management

United Nations Part Deux; “Return Lands to Native Americans” May 5, 2012

Always the selective idealists, the United Nations has now issued a formal statement that the United States should return lands to the Native Americans. According to the report: “The United States must do more to heal the wounds of indigenous peoples caused by more than a century of oppression, including restoring control over lands Native Americans consider to be sacred, a U.N. human rights investigator said on Friday.”  Anyone with a basic grasp of American history knows that the US has not always treated the Native Americans well.  The issue at hand, however is the UN and not the Native Americans.  According to the report, the “UN Special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, just completed a 12-day visit to the United States where he met with representatives of indigenous peoples in the District of Columbia, Arizona, Alaska, Oregon, Washington State, South Dakota, and Oklahoma. He also met with U.S. government officials.”  Based upon this description one would believe that Mr. Anaya is a foreign expert.  A review of his biography however, indicates that not only is Mr. Anaya an American  his is also the Regents professor at the University of Arizona where he teaches law.  A graduate of Harvard Law School, Mr. Anaya made his career in Native American issues.  According to his bio, Mr. Anaya: “…represented indigenous groups from many parts of North and Central America in landmark cases before courts and international organizations.” You can read his full CV here.  It seems inappropriate for the UN to use a Native American lawyer who specializes in Native American and indigenous issues to investigate, report, and recommend a course of action.  There is certainly a level of bias in this position. (more…)