Solidarity Statement for the Indigenous Peoples of Greenland

Solidarity Statement for the Indigenous Peoples of Greenland

Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI) fully supports the statement entitled “A Peaceful Arctic Through Mutually Respectful Cooperation” made by Sara Olsvig, the Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) on 27 January 2025 (https://tinyurl.com/536ywmte). 


This statement highlights that the Inuit peoples of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Chukotka (Russia) have strived to work together for decades and have “garnered the support of changing governments and heads of states, and we have always cherished their cooperation and support. On the road ahead, we call for a continued mutual respect for our differences and rights.”

It stresses the importance of the Arctic Council in this regard, applauding its inclusion from its inception of the Arctic Indigenous Peoples. Continuing the practice of including the Arctic Indigenous Peoples, the statement also records that Greenland will appoint an Arctic Ambassador on behalf of the Kingdom of Denmark to take on the role as Arctic Council Chair this year. 


IPRI stands in solidarity with the Indigenous People of Kalaallit Nunaat – Greenland, stressing also the importance of the right to self-determination and its foundational role in the international legal framework as it applies to Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination, including those in Kalaallit Nunaat – Greenland, is guaranteed in common Article 1 of the International Human Rights Covenants and Article 3 of the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Article 1(3) of the Covenants requires that all States parties “… shall promote the realization of the right of self-determination, and shall respect that right, in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.” We fully expect all States to live up to their obligations in this regard. 


The ICC explains that there is “no such thing as the better colonizer.” Rather than debating which State may be a better or worse colonizer, the ICC wants to focus on “how we improve Inuit lives, livelihoods, wellbeing, and self-determination across all our regions,” rightfully observing that “progress towards decolonization can only occur by working in full partnership with Inuit.” Moreover, Inuit homelands are no longer “mere commodities that could be bought and sold.”

IPRI, therefore, joins the ICC to resolutely support the need for peaceful dialogue with Inuit and other Indigenous Peoples across the Arctic, including those of the self-governing nation of Kalaallit Nunaat – Greenland, to fully realize their right to self-determination, not only in word but also in practice.

We also join the ICC in calling on all governments of the Arctic states to continue engaging in and strengthening the Arctic Council and for continued and peaceful Arctic cooperation. 

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