Thursday, October 11, 2012

Indigenous People 2012



To view high-resolution images, click on the images above
On 11 October 2012, the United Nations Postal Administration issued 18 commemorative stamps in a mini-sheet format of six stamps each on the theme “Indigenous People”. This is the third in a series of stamps on Indigenous People, which were painted by the artist Stephen Bennett (USA).

The Designs

45-cent mini-sheet 
Top row (from left to right):
The Gods Must Be Crazy Namibia, 2002
Maiko of Kyoto Japan, 2012
Baby on Her Back Tibet, China 2012

Bottom row (from left to right):
Genesis Gir lEthiopia, 2010
Baby Bat Mongolia, 2012
Goggle Girl United Republic of Tanzania, 2001

F.s. 0,85 mini-sheet
Top row (from left to right):
Basha Blunderbuss Boy China, 2012
Turquoise, Coral and Circumambulation Tibet, China, 2012
Bactrian Camel Cowboy Mongolia, 2012

Bottom row (from left to right):
Never Forgot to Play Mexico, 1998
Red Feathers Papua New Guinea, 2011
Haitian Sunshine Girl Haiti, 2010

€ 0,70 mini-sheet
Top row (from left to right):
Daniel the Adventurer Chile (Easter Island), 2000
Penan Girl from Bario Malaysia (Sarawak), 2006
Golden Amber Lhasa Lady Tibet, China 2012

Bottom row (from left to right):
Forbidden City Princess China, 2012
White Paint United Republic of Tanzania, 2003
Grandma Apple Cheeks Mongolia, 2012

Special First Day Cancellations
On 11 October 2012, special first day hand-cancellations for the “Indigenous People” stamps were made available at United Nations Headquarters in New York; the Palais des Nations, Geneva; and the Vienna International Centre. The hand-cancellations can be seen in the scanned FDCs' above.




Stamp Specifications
The stamps, in denominations of 45 cents, F.s. 0,85 and € 0,70, measure 30 mm horizontally by 40 mm vertically, perforation to perforation. Perforation size: 13.5.

The vertical mini-sheets of six stamps have one marginal inscription in the centre of the bottom margin. The marginal inscription consists of the United Nations emblem with the text “United” above the emblem and the text “Nations” below the emblem. One copyright symbol with the year 2012 appears in the lower left margin. The artist’s signature appears in the lower right margin.

Printing
The stamps were printed in offset by the Lowe Martin Group (Canada).

Sheet Size and Format
The sheet size measures 110 mm horizontally by 140 mm vertically.




About the Issue
The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007. The Declaration is the most comprehensive statement of the rights of indigenous peoples ever developed, giving prominence to collective rights to a degree unprecedented in international human rights law. It emphasizes the rights of indigenous peoples to live in dignity, to maintain and strengthen their own institutions, cultures and traditions and to pursue their self-determined development, in keeping with their needs and aspirations. The adoption of this Declaration is the clearest indication yet that the international community is committing itself to the protection of the individual and collective rights of indigenous peoples. 

Indigenous people are the inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to other people and to the environment. Indigenous people have retained social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live. Despite their cultural differences, the various groups of indigenous people around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples.

Estimates point to more than 370 million indigenous people in some 90 countries worldwide. While they are from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds, they share challenges such as lack of basic health care, limited access to education, loss of control over land, discrimination, forced assimilation, abject poverty, displacement, human rights violations, and economic and social marginalization.

Indigenous people around the world have sought recognition of their identities, their ways of life and their right to traditional lands, territories and natural resources; yet throughout history, their rights have been violated. Indigenous peoples are arguably among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of people in the world today. The international community now recognizes that special measures are required to protect the rights of the world’s indigenous peoples. 
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