By STAFF REPORTER
New Zealand officials are unconcerned at a British move against the rights of indigenous people - including Maori - at the troubled World Conference Against Racism in Durban.
The Independent reported yesterday that the British Government is backing a resolution to ensure the conference's references to indigenous peoples "cannot be construed as having any implications to rights under international law".
The paper said the move, vigorously pursued by Britain since the United States withdrew from the conference last week, would leave indigenous people more vulnerable to persecution than they were before it began.
New Zealand has been represented by Attorney-General Margaret Wilson and the Race Relations Conciliator, Gregory Fortuin. Both had left the conference yesterday and could not reached for comment.
But Foreign Ministry officials monitoring the event from Wellington did not believe the British move would have an effect on international law governing indigenous peoples' rights.
New Zealand had taken a neutral attitude to the clause in a draft resolution on indigenous rights designed to ensure the resolution had no force in international law.
It was one of the last issues before a gathering that has seen a walkout by Israel and the US and conflict between European and African states over slavery.
Human Rights lawyers told the Independent they were disgusted by the British move, considering Britain did not have indigenous minorities.
Political sources said that the British representative was acting on behalf of Australia and Canada, who would find it "politically difficult" to openly curtail the rights of their minorities.
Officials tag Britain's move against indigenous rights harmless
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