Unrepresented peoples meet
More than 60 delegations participated in the third general assembly of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO), held January 19-24 in the Netherlands. This is twice the size of last year's gathering. As well, there was a large group of observers from governments and international and non-government organisations.
Founded in 1991, UNPO now represents more than 100 million people, and is widely considered the alternative United Nations. Representatives from East Timor, Bougainville and Kosovo were among the many who attended.
The gathering heard a call for action against Georgia over its treatment of the Abkhazian people, and for condemnation of Papua New Guinea over its occupation of Bougainville.
Delegations from East Timor, West Papua the South Moluccas and Aceh all accused the Indonesian government of repression and cultural assimilation. Meanwhile, representatives of Native Americans and North American Blacks accused the United States government of perpetuating racial injustice and cultural marginalisation.
Koko Petalo, chairman of the Foundation of East European Gypsies, deplored the deteriorating situation of Europe's Roms, a position made worse by recent expulsions from Germany. During the assembly, a group of 47 Bosnian Gypsies was expelled from the Netherlands, which had previously maintained a more liberal policy.
Representatives of the 500,000 Ogoni people of southern Nigeria presented a detailed case concerning environmental damage to their homeland by the Shell and Chevron oil companies. "Today, Ogoni is a wasteland. Unfortunately the international community has not awakened fully to the grim nature of this highly sophisticated if unconventional war being waged by very powerful multinationals against a defenceless people and their environment", said Ken Saro Wiwa, chair of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People.
He said the Nigerian government was investigating action against the oil companies following a mass demonstration by the Ogoni on January 4. The group is also planning a non-violent campaign for self-determination.
Peter Limbin, representing the united Burmese opposition, reported that the group is working to increase its ethnic base in its campaign to end the country's long civil war and install a democratic government that respects all ethnic groups.
On the final day of the assembly, 13 new members signed the UNPO Covenant, bringing the total membership to 39.