Declaration of the rights of Indigenous Peoples

It is ironic that the United States proclaims their ability to establish individual rights and freedoms, but they fail to live up to it. The UN declaration on the rights of Indigenous People in September of 2007 was passed by a majority of one hundred and forty-four states. Surprisingly to me, the four states that voted against it were Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. There were also eleven abstentions.

Within the Declaration, there is a minimum standard that all humans will be able to have. Survival and well being of the indigenous people are the main goals of the declaration. Other aspects include cultural rights, identity, education, health, employment, and language. The declaration encourages harmonious interaction between states and indigenous peoples.

I believe that this Declaration is amazing and that it is a beautiful start. I think that the enforcement of the declaration could use a little work. I think that one of the main reasons that the united states didn’t favor it is because it isn’t economically pleasing to them. In the declaration, it says that states should pay restitution for indigenous people.


“Article 11
1. Indigenous peoples have the right to practise and revitalize their cultural
traditions and customs. This includes the right to maintain, protect and develop the
past, present and future manifestations of their cultures, such as archaeological and
historical sites, artefacts, designs, ceremonies, technologies and visual and
performing arts and literature.
2. States shall provide redress through effective mechanisms, which may
include restitution, developed in conjunction with indigenous peoples, with respect
to their cultural, intellectual, religious and spiritual property taken without their
free, prior and informed consent or in violation of their laws, traditions and
customs.”

http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N06/512/07/PDF/N0651207.pdf?OpenElement


More information: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/indigenous/declaration.htm


By: Ali Gosman