Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

In February, Mr. Abdelfattah Amor, the United Nations (U.N.) Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance went to Arizona to hear testimony from representatives of Indian tribes, organizations and communities from Arizona and other states in the United States (U.S.) regarding violations of freedom of religion as part of a two week visit to the U.S.

In 1996, the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) filed a formal complaint with the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance on behalf of the Sovereign Dineh Nation of Big Mountain, Ariz., focusing on forced relocation and its impacts on freedom of religion. The Rapporteur accepted the case and filed a communication with the U.S. government expressing his wish to enter the United States to meet with the affected Peoples. The U.S. State Department issued him an invitation to enter the United States resulting in this visit.

This is the first time the United States has been formally investigated by the U.N. for violations of indigenous peoples' right to freedom of religion or belief. In August 1996, the U.N. Subcommission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities passed a resolution recognizing for the first time the tie between sacred sites and lands and the right of indigenous peoples to practice their religion. The resolution encouraged the Rapporteur to investigate cases impacting indigenous peoples.

The IITC has addressed violations of indigenous peoples' right to freely practice their religions and protect their cultures at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and other international bodies for many years. The IITC charges that there is a consistent and ongoing pattern of violation of these rights in the United States caused by relocation, land appropriations, Treaty violations, destruction and desecration of sacred sites, and the general lack of recognition for indigenous peoples cultural values and ceremonial practices.

The Washington Times reported that a spokesperson for Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina, called this visit a waste of the U.N.'s time and money because "there is no problem with religious intolerance in this country."

Andrea Carmen, IITC's Executive Director, strongly disagreed: "The U.S. presents itself as the bastion and defender of religious freedom internationally. But the original peoples and nations of this land continue to be treated with blatant disregard and to suffer violations of our most basic human rights, including our right and obligation to maintain the religious practices and traditional ceremonies given to us by the Creator, and to protect our sacred sites and lands."