UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights reaches 19 years
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On September 13, 2007, 144 countries voted to adopt the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), a document resulting from 25 years of negotiation.
Initially, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States voted against the Declaration, but all four nations later reversed their positions and now support it. The UNDRIP establishes minimum standards for the well-being of Indigenous Peoples worldwide, protecting both their individual and collective rights in areas like self-government, land, education, and health.
The Declaration requires governments to consult with Indigenous Peoples and seek their consent on issues that affect them. James Anaya, a former UN Special Rapporteur, explained that self-determination means Indigenous Peoples should fully participate in government and control their own futures. While some countries have begun to align their policies with the UNDRIP, a gap remains between endorsement and actual implementation.
Aimee Roberson, Executive Director of Cultural Survival, stated that governments must now translate their support into domestic laws and policies that respect Indigenous self-governance and rights. Cultural Survival created a timeline detailing the history of the Declaration and its implementation since 2007, and also offers resources like podcasts and translations of the Declaration into multiple Indigenous languages.
