Indigenous reality remains grim as UN forum ends

UNITED NATIONS – Indigenous leaders have painted a grim picture of the reality their peoples face around the globe as a major United Nations forum draws to a close.

Organizers of the 15th session of the United Nation's Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues said their languages are rapidly disappearing, human rights continue to be trampled, leaders are being assassinated and suicides rates are on the rise, especially among the young.

Forum Chairman Alvaro Pop in his closing remarks called for greater dialogue between national governments, indigenous people and the U.N. so that their vision of life and the relationship with Mother Earth can be understood and shared.

The two-week long forum which ended Friday united over a 1,000 delegates from all over the world.