Advancing the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples: A Critical Challenge for the International Community

Abstract

International human rights treaties recognize that all peoples have the right to maintain their unique cultures and traditions, exercise control over their own lives, and to use and benefit from the lands and resources of their territories. However, when it comes to Indigenous Peoples, states have persistently failed to recognizeand uphold these rights. The devastating consequence has been the profound impoverishment and marginalization of Indigenous women, men and children around the world and the denial of such basic rights as rights to food, health, and education and livelihood.