Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization

Description

UNPO is an international organization representing unrepresented and marginalized nations and peoples. Its full name is the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, founded in February 1991 at the Peace Palace in The Hague. It is based there, with representational offices also in Brussels and Geneva.

Its members are indigenous peoples, minorities, colonized territories and states with limited international recognition, all denied equal representation in national or international governance. Membership has grown to more than 45 peoples worldwide, representing over 300 million people. Several early members have since gained formal recognition and left the organization once they were no longer considered unrepresented.

UNPO advocates for the right to self-determination, human rights, non-violent resistance to oppression, democratic pluralism and protection of the environment, principles set out in its founding Covenant. It trains members and partners in diplomacy, negotiation, conflict management and non-violent strategies. Its legal and policy team produces research, reports and submissions to international bodies, and it disseminates information from members through fact-finding missions and conferences. It is governed by a General Assembly of its members, a Secretary General, a Secretariat and an independent Advisory Board.