World Still Lagging on Indigenous Rights 10 Years After Historic Declaration, UN Experts Warn

Women from Nepal's indigenous tribe. Credit: Mallika Aryal/IPSBy Mariam Wallet Aboubakrine, Albert K. Barume and Victoria Tauli-CorpuzGENEVA / NEW YORK, Aug 7 2017 (IPS)The world’s indigenous peoples still face huge challenges a decade after the adoption of an historic declaration on their rights, a group of United Nations experts and specialist bodies has warned. Speaking ahead of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on 9 August, the group says States must put words into action to end discrimination, exclusion and lack of protection illustrated by the worsening murder rate of human rights defenders. The joint statement from the Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples reads as follows:“It is now 10 years since the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the UN General Assembly, as the most comprehensive international human rights instrument for indigenous peoples. The Declaration, which took more than 20 years to negotiate, stands today as a beacon of progress, a framework for reconciliation and a benchmark of rights.But a decade on, we need to acknowledge the vast challenges that remain. In too many cases, indigenous peoples are now facing even greater struggles and rights violations than they did 10 years ago.Indigenous peoples still suffer from racism, discrimination, and unequal a...

Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - August 7, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Mariam Wallet Aboubakrine and Victoria Tauli-Corpuz Tags: Aid Crime & Justice Education Featured Gender Global Headlines Health Human Rights Indigenous Rights Labour TerraViva United Nations Women's Health Source Type: news