Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
On September 13, 2007 the UN General Assembly adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This followed more than twenty years of discussion within the UN system. Indigenous representatives played a key role in the development of this Declaration.
There are over 370 million indigenous people in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific. They are among the most impoverished, marginalized and frequently victimized people in the world.
This universal human rights instrument is celebrated globally as a symbol of triumph and hope. Effective implementation of the Declaration would result in significant improvements in the global situation of indigenous peoples.
 Read the Declaration online
UN General Assembly adopts the Declaration in September 2007
With an overwhelming majority of 143 votes in favour, only 4 negative votes cast (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United States) and 11 abstentions, the United Nations General Assembly (GA) adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on September 13, 2007. The Declaration has been negotiated through more than 20 years between nation-states and Indigenous Peoples. Les Malezer, Chair of the International Indigenous Peoples' Caucus, welcomed the adoption of the Declaration in a statement to the General Assembly:
"The Declaration does not represent solely the viewpoint of the United Nations, nor does it represent solely the viewpoint of the Indigenous Peoples. It is a Declaration which combines our views and interests and which sets the framework for the future. It is a tool for peace and justice, based upon mutual recognition and mutual respect."
 Read the GA resolution, including the full text of the Declaration (pdf)
Read the International Indigenous Caucus' statement (pdf)
Read the statement of the Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (pdf)
Read the statement of Special Rapporteur Stavenhagen (web link)
Read the statement of the UN Secretary General (pdf)
Read the Press release of the Chair of the UN Permanent Forum (pdf) |
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Voting on the Declaration in the UN General Assembly,
13 September 2007.
Photo: Stefan Disko
Les Malezer and Vicky Tauli-Corpuz in the General Assembly Hall after the vote.
Photo: Stefan Disko
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