UN experts urge nations to recognize rights of indigenous peoples News
enordell / Pixabay
UN experts urge nations to recognize rights of indigenous peoples

UN human rights experts on Tuesday marked the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples by urging [statement] all nations to consider and protect the rights and interests of indigenous peoples living under within their respective borders.

It is estimated [UN News Centre report] there are 370 million indigenous people in the world, living across 90 countries. Indigenous people account for 5 percent of the world’s population, and account for 15 percent of the poorest. “Indigenous peoples today, are arguably among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of people in the world,” according to the UN

Experts recognized that indigenous become victims of economic deprivation, forced displacement, environmental disasters, social and political unrest, and militarization. They called for states to recognize the rights of  indigenous peoples to self-determination; lands, territories and resources; to a nationality, as well as rights of family, education, health, culture and language. They urged countries to provide culturally-adequate social services such as language interpretation, education, and economic opportunities.

The experts reminded all nations that indigenous peoples around the world are entitled to recognition and protection under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and they encouraged all nations to take necessary measures to assist indigenous populations especially in the context of migration and displacement amidst the current trans-border context.