The government of Australia has reversed its position on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Australia was one of four nations that opposed the declaration. But new leaders changed their stance last month.

"We show our respect for indigenous peoples," Jenny Macklin, a member of the Australian parliament, told IPS. "We show our faith in a new era of relations between states and indigenous peoples in good faith."

That leaves the United States, Canada and New Zealand as the only holdouts. Activists in the U.S. hope President Barack Obama will change course.

"The position on [this issue] is under review," said a spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the United Nations.

Get the Story:
Native rights declaration challenges 'settler' nations (IPS 5/15)

Related Stories:
Obama might back indigenous rights declaration (1/9)
Indigenous Peoples Caucus meets in Geneva (10/28)
Indigenous Peoples Caucus meets in Geneva (9/25)
Jodi Rave: Indigenous rights declaration up for vote (9/13)