Chapter Twenty-One. The United Nations Declaration On The Rights Of Indigenous Peoples

Abstract

As far as individual rights are concerned, their most comprehensive enumeration can be found in UNDRIP. A commentary on those rights is being developed by the ILA Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Analyzing UNDRIP thematically, discussing key issues ranging from self-determination and autonomy to land rights, rights to culture, development, socio-economic rights and rights to redress. This chapter addresses some of these issues and the problems they present. A primary focus on indigenous peoples' participation in modern society's government rather than on preservation and development of their own autonomy and decision-making structures is thus somewhat misguided. The effective protection of indigenous culture is key to the understanding of the United Nations Declaration. Key to the effective protection of indigenous peoples' cultures is the safeguarding of their land. Keywords: autonomy; human rights; indigenous peoples; self-determination; UNDRIP; United Nations Declaration