By Karla E General
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, United States – The United States Senate voted 90-6 against the $80 million spending bill that would have financed the closure of Guantanamo Bay by January 2010, as well as the transfer of the 240 detainees that remain there. The vote came just one day before President Barack Obama was scheduled to outline his plan for the transfer of the 240 terrorism suspects detained at the facility located in Cuba.

Obama had requested the $80 million last month, an amount necessary for the Pentagon and Justice Department to close the detention facility, which is known by international human rights groups for its use of harsh interrogation techniques and detention of suspects without trial. The funds were requested without an immediate and detailed plan of action for the transfer of the detainees and without a definitive answer on whether the detainees would be transferred to U.S. soil. Republicans have criticized Obama’s quest to shut down Guantanamo, saying that human rights abuses that have occurred at the facility are a thing of the past.

The 90-6 vote followed testimony to Congress by FBI Director Robert Mueller who stated: “The concerns we have about individuals who may support terrorism being in the United States run from concerns about providing financing to terrorists, [and] radicalizing others … [as well as] the potential for individuals undertaking attacks in the United States.”

Similarly, Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota said: “The American people don’t want these men walking the streets of America’s neighborhoods.  The American people don’t want these detainees held at a military base or federal prison in their backyard either.”

In spite of the vote, Democrats remain hopeful that President Obama will devise a detailed plan that meets the objectives of both Democrats and Republicans. “The president’s very capable of putting together a plan that I think will win the approval of a majority of members of Congress,” said Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson. “I can’t imagine that he won’t.”

By Sovereign Hager

Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

NEW YORK CITY, United States – The government of Canada continues to oppose the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP), as over 2,000 participants from around the world gather at the UN Headquarters to discuss Indigenous rights.

Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia have opposed the Declaration since its creation in 2007. Australia recently reversed its position and John Key, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, has said he will consider reversing New Zealand’s opposition. UN leaders are in contact with President Barak Obama about possibly reversing the Bush Administration’s opposition to the Declaration.  Canada’s intransigence was the primary topic of concern at a press briefing this week.

The Canadian government claims that the Declaration conflicts with the Canadian Constitution because it favors Indigenous rights over non-Indigenous rights. Victoria Tuali-Corpuz, the chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Rights, called Canada’s reasoning “invalid”.  Officials expressed surprise at Canada’s position considering its “advanced” policy regarding Indigenous people.  Furthermore, Canada has been active on other international human declarations, like the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

Discussions at the conference included complaints from Indigenous people that Canadian mining companies do not respect their rights.  Participants addressed a letter to Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, calling on Canada to “establish clear legal norms . . . to ensure that Canadian companies and residents are held accountable when there is evidence of environmental and/or human rights violations.”

The Declaration includes provisions recognizing Indigenous human rights to self-determination, land, natural resources, and compensation for rights violated. DRIP is not legally binding, but the outlines of the declaration are to be referenced when a country enacts new laws and policies.  According to Tauli-Corpuz, “More attention needs to be focused on the trans-boundary human rights obligations of countries which are hosting extractive corporations and creating problems for indigenous people.” The text of the Declaration is available here.