A 1995 document issued by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights pursuant to the Program Of Activities For The International Decade Of The World's Indigenous People stated that: The objective of the Decade is the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous people and their empowerment to make choices which enable them to retain their cultural identity while participating in political, economic and social life, with full respect for their cultural values, languages, traditions and forms of social organization .

As defined by the United Nations Special Rapporteur to the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, Indigenous communities, peoples and nations are "...those which having a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their territories, consider themselves distinct from other sectors of societies now prevailing in those territories, or parts of them." They form at present non-dominant sectors of society and are determined to preserve, develop, and transmit to future generations their ancestral territories, and their ethnic identity, as the basis of their continued existence as peoples, in accordance with their own cultural patterns, social institutions and legal systems.

Indigenous peoples worldwide number between 300-500 million, embody and nurture 80% of the world's cultural and biological diversity, and occupy 20% of the world's land surface. They live in nearly all the countries on all the continents of the world and form a spectrum of humanity, ranging from traditional hunter-gatherers and subsistence farmers to legal scholars. In some countries, Indigenous Peoples form the majority of the population; others comprise small minorities. Indigenous Peoples are concerned with preserving land, protecting language and promoting culture. Some Indigenous Peoples strive to preserve traditional ways of life, while others seek greater participation in the current state structures.

Despite such extensive diversity in indigenous communities throughout the world, all indigenous peoples have one thing in common - they all share a history of injustice. They have been killed, tortured and enslaved. In many cases, they have been the victims of genocide. They have been denied the right to participate in governing processes of the current state systems. Conquest and colonization have attempted to steal their dignity and identity as indigenous peoples, as well as the fundamental right of self-determination. The United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights state that all peoples have the right of self-determination by virtue of which they "freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development". However, because there has been dispute over the exact meaning of the term "peoples", it is not clear exactly to whom "peoples" refers. Some state governments oppose use of the term "peoples" in regards to indigenous peoples because they fear its association with the right of secession and independent statehood. Those states would prefer the terms "tribes" or "populations", which do not have those associations. On the other hand, Indigenous Peoples use the term "peoples" because of its association with inherent recognition of a distinct identity. "Indigenous people" is a compromise between these two positions. Indigenous peoples and their advocates find the denial of being described as "peoples" and the inherent entitlement to self-determination a form of racism and continued discrimination.

 

Among many indigenous peoples are the Indians of the Americas (for example, the Mayas of Guatemala or the Aymaras of Bolivia), the Inuit and Aleutians of the circumpolar region, the Saami of northern Europe, the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders of Australia, and the Maori of New Zealand. These and most other indigenous peoples have retained social, cultural, economic and political characteristics which are clearly distinct from those of the other segments of the national populations.

 

Throughout human history, whenever dominant neighboring peoples have expanded their territories or settlers from far away have acquired new lands by force, the cultures and livelihoods - even the existence - of indigenous peoples have been endangered. The threats to indigenous peoples' cultures and lands, to their status and other legal rights as distinct groups and as citizens, do not always take the same forms as in previous times. Although some groups have been relatively successful, in most part of the world indigenous peoples are actively seeking recognition of their identities and ways of life.

In spite of cultural and ethnic diversity, there are often striking similarities between the problems, grievances and interests of the various indigenous peoples and therefore in their presentations to international forums. Participation of indigenous communities and organizations in United Nations meetings has served to highlight these similarities. 

It has often been the case - particularly since the emergence of new nations in the wave of decolonization which followed the Second World War - that indigenous peoples insist on retaining their separate identity and cultural heritage. It is now generally admitted that policies of assimilation and integration aimed at bringing these groups fully into the mainstream of majority populations are often counter-productive.
 

Non-governmental activity, on the one hand, and intergovernmental initiatives, on the other, has had a mutually reinforcing effect. The first international conference of non-governmental organizations on indigenous issues was held in Geneva in 1977. This was followed by another non-governmental conference on indigenous peoples and the land, also in Geneva , in 1981. These meetings and a special United Nations study then nearing completion, influenced developments which led to the establishment in 1982 of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations.
 

In the United Nations and the International Labor Organization, it is recognized that the establishment and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples are an essential part of human rights and a legitimate concern of the international community. The two organizations are active in the setting and implementing of standards designed to ensure respect for existing rights of indigenous peoples and the adoption of additional rights.

 

 

Despite international recognition and acceptance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the fundamental rights of all human beings, in practical fact indigenous peoples' human rights remain without specifically designated safeguards. To this day, indigenous peoples continue to face serious threats to their basic existence due to systematic government policies.

Points to Consider:
Does your country have an indigenous population?
What is the situation regarding their status?
What would be best practices with regard to indigenous people?
What can the UN do to facilitate the promotion and protection of indigenous people?