Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Based on the cornerstone of the UDHR, a system of human rights declarations
and covenants, treaties or conventions has developed that:
1. establishes fundamental civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights.
These rights were initially set out in 1966 in the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights (ICESCR);
2. condemns certain inhumane acts (e.g., conventions against torture, genocide,
slavery, racism); and
3. protects the rights of specific vulnerable groups (e.g., Convention on the Rights of
the Child (CRC), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women (CEDAW).
The movement to define and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples is part of
this evolving human rights framework. However, the UDHR and subsequent
international law emphasize individual rights. The needs and aspirations of most
Indigenous Peoples, on the other hand, can only be assured through the protection
of not only their individual rights, but also their collective rights as distinct human
groups. These rights include Indigenous Peoples' rights to their lands, territories, and
resources; to maintenance of their cultures; to recognition of their distinct identities;
to self-government and self-determination; and to be asked for their free, prior and
informed consent (FPIC) in decisions that may affect them. This recognition has led
to the development of a separate body of international instruments for the recognition
and protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples worldwide.
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Some milestones in the on-going development of Indigenous rights include:
• In 1971 the Indigenous Movement for the recognition of Indigenous rights at the
UN began in earnest with the appointment of José Martínez-Cobo to study the
problem of discrimination against Indigenous populations.
Figure 13. Warerai Kayabi. Gold miners arriving at the Xingu Indigenous Park, 1981.
