Western Shoshone activists won the attention of the United Nations last week but face an uphill battle in getting their rights recognized in the United States.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination accepted evidence that the U.S. is infringing on the land, fishing, hunting and other rights of Western Shoshones. The committee called for the halt of any activities affecting Western Shoshone traditional lands.

Activists say the tribe still retains title to 26 million acres of land in Nevada, Idaho, California and Utah. But Congress enacted a law to distribute a $140 million trust fund as payment for the land.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada), a proponent of the payout, said the tribe supported the bill. A spokesperson rejected the UN's call to action.

Get the Story:
Western Shoshone Struggle Earns World Recognition (The New Standard 3/16)

Press Release:
COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION CONCLUDES SIXTY-EIGHTH SESSION (UN March 10, 2006)

Relevant Links:
Western Shoshone Defense Project - http://www.wsdp.org
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/6/cerd.htm

Western Shoshone Claims Distribution Act:
Bill Report | H.R.884 | S.618

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