Role of NGOs in Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Under ILO

Abstract

The indigenous and people suffer serious abuses of their human rights throughout the world. They experience heavy pressure on their lands from being logged, mining, roads, conservation, construction of dams, agribusiness etc. Many countries have worked towards protecting their rights and preventing its abuse. The laws meant for protecting their human rights are often violated and sometimes they are found to be inadequate to prevent the abuse of rights of tribes. Many countries laws are inconsistent with the international human rights law too. The International Labour Organization has developed agreements and mechanisms to address the core problems of these people. These agreements are binding on the states which ratify them. The issues of tribes and indigenous people addressed by the ILO have resulted in jurisprudence recognizing their rights. This also include the rights of indigenous and tribes on par with protection of their lands, territories, resources traditionally occupied and right to a healthy environment; protection of cultural sites of religious significance; protection of cultural and physical integrity; participation in decisions that affect them and use their own cultural, social and political institutions; to be free from discrimination and to equal protection of the law. In implementing any of such laws for protection of human rights of indigenous and tribal people the international institutions like ILO and United Nation rely on the information given by NGOs and groups. They work for protecting of their human rights and fundamental freedoms. This paper analyses the role of ILO in protecting the rights of indigenous and tribes. It summarizes the role of NGOs in international standard setting which is a prerequisite for protecting the rights of indigenous and tribes.