UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP)

Indigenous Peoples all over the world have been demanding the recognition of their rights to maintain and develop their cultural heritage and, more particularly, their land for many years. There have been debates over the definition of who is indigenous and what it means, over treaty rights and free, prior, and informed consent.

They have done this through many bodies, including the United Nations, where there is both a UN Working Group on Indigenous Peoples and a newly constituted UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples. Also within the UN there has been an ongoing debate to finalise a Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. There have been a number of associated international bodies where Indigenous Peoples have struggled to have their voices heard, including the Convention on BioDiversity, the World Trade Organisation and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Indigenous Peoples Links

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP)

Canada: Federal government wary of UN indigenous rights declaration

Malaysia: Indigenous Landowners Assert Opposition to the Proposed Baram Dam

India: AARM Requests President Not to Give Assent to Mines Bill

Indigenous Peoples Major Group Policy Brief on Sustainable Development Goals and Post-2015 Development Agenda

Comments on the draft IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining (v.10 7-14)

A Third International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Third UN Committee considers rights of indigenous peoples

Indigenous knowledge essential to meet global biodiversity targets – UN official

Indigenous groups give cautious welcome to deal struck at UN

Time is right for global focus on forest land rights