The struggle for indigenous peoples’ rights has a long history at the international level. In 1970, the UN Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities recommended a comprehensive study on discrimination against indigenous populations, which was undertaken by Mr. José R. Martínez Cobo from 1973-1983. The Working Group on Indigenous Populations, established in 1982, worked for many years to develop principles and a draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples. The UN General Assembly finally adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in resolution 61/295 on 13 September 2007, which remains the most comprehensive international instrument on this topic. It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and wellbeing of indigenous peoples and elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to the specific situation of indigenous peoples. The UN system now has three key mechanisms and procedures specifically for indigenous peoples: (a) the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; (b) the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and (c) the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.In addition to UNDRIP, indigenous peoples’ rights are also recognised in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Populations (1989), the Organisation of American States (OAS) American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2016), and in the jurisprudence of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), the Inter American Commission and Court on Human Rights, and the African Commission and Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
In contrast, although the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) recognises local communities alongside indigenous peoples in Articles 8(j) and 10(c) on traditional knowledge and customary sustainable use of biodiversity, there is not yet any international instrument equivalent to UNDRIP for non-indigenous communities that have close relationships with and dependence upon their traditionally occupied territories. A recent report by Professor John Knox, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, acknowledged that States nevertheless have heightened obligations to protect such people under various grounds of international law, including as members of minorities and based on the principle of non-discrimination. This is also supported by jurisprudence of the Inter American Court and Commission and of CERD. The legal status of non-indigenous communities might be further clarified in the deliberations currently underway in the Human Rights Council’s open-ended intergovernmental working group on a UN declaration on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas.
There is arguably a close relationship between appropriately recognising and supporting ICCAs, and implementing UNDRIP and realising a range of human rights (see Stevens, 2010). The ICCA Consortium and its Members are actively participating in a number of UN fora, mechanisms and procedures on indigenous peoples’ rights and human rights more broadly, promoting the central importance of indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ collective rights and responsibilities and also seeking to monitor, halt and remedy human rights injustices in the conservation sector. Particular emphasis is placed on supporting members of indigenous peoples and local communities to represent themselves in such processes. Among other things, this has led to consideration of ICCAs in two recent reports of UN Special Rapporteurs, namely, Professor John Knox’s report on human rights and biodiversity (2017) and Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz’s report on the impacts of conservation measures on indigenous peoples’ rights (2016). This closely relates to work on Biodiversity Law and Conservation Policy.
UN Special Rapporteur’s Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment (2018)
On March 5, 2018, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Professor John H. Knox, presented the final report of his mandate to the 37th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, which identifies 16 framework principles on human rights and the environment, addresses the human right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment and looks ahead to the next steps in the evolving relationship between human rights and the environment. Read more ▸
UN Special Rapporteur Report on Children’s Rights and Environmental Protection (2018)
According to Professor John H. Knox, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, “No group is more vulnerable to environmental harm than children. More than 1.5 million children under the age of five lose their lives every year because of pollution and other avoidable environmental harms.” Read more ▸
Launch of UN Environment’s Environmental Defenders Policy
The UN Environment Programme launched its new Environmental Defenders Policy, which proposes how it can promote greater protection for individuals and groups who are defending their environmental rights, and identifies solutions to mitigate the abuse of environmental rights. Read more ▸
ICCA Consortium Attends Launch of UN Environmental Rights Initiative in Geneva
The work of Professor John Knox, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, has significantly helped move the profile of the links between human rights and the environment from the periphery to the centre of the UN’s agenda. The new Environmental Rights Initiative of the UN Environment Programme was launched during the 37th Session of the Human Rights Council. Read more ▸
UN Biodiversity Negotiators Must Protect Human Rights to Protect the Planet
ICCA Consortium Members, Honorary members and partners joined forces for an ambitious international workshop that could help change the course of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework – by putting human rights firmly at its centre. Read more ▸
ICCA Consortium Supports Global Mobilisation Against Criminalisation of Land and Environmental Defenders
This global campaign urges all of us to #StandWithDefenders by shining a spotlight on indigenous peoples and communities who are criminalised for defending their territories of life. Read more ▸
CALG Reflections and Impressions on the Environmental Defenders Workshop in Philippines
After sharing their experiences in an international workshop on environmental defenders, ICCA Consortium Member Coalition Against Land Grabbing reflects on risk-reduction strategies and the importance of maintaining a united front in the face of threats to territories of life and their defenders. Read more ▸
Synergy of Fokonolona Strengthened for the Recognition of their Community Heritage
In Madagascar, as the government develops a legislative framework on special status areas that will include community land rights, TAFO MIHAAVO and MIHARI, both ICCA Consortium Members, are collaborating to ensure that indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ voices are heard, and their areas and heritage secured. Read more ▸
Realizing Indigenous Women’s Rights: CEDAW and Indigenous Women
Guide: “Realizing Indigenous Women’s Rights: CEDAW and Indigenous Women” Helen Tugendhat & Eleanor Dictaan-Bang-oa, 2014 A guide to using the Convention on the Elimination… Read more “Realizing Indigenous Women’s Rights: CEDAW and Indigenous Women” ▸
Indigenous Women’s Rights and the African Human Rights System: A toolkit on mechanisms
Guide: “Indigenous Women’s Rights and the African Human Rights System: A toolkit on mechanisms” Forest Peoples Programme, 2015 Also in French, see the link… Read more “Indigenous Women’s Rights and the African Human Rights System: A toolkit on mechanisms” ▸
Inter-American Human Rights System for Indigenous Women: A toolkit on mechanisms
Guide: “Inter-American Human Rights System for Indigenous Women: A toolkit on mechanisms” Forest Peoples Programme, 2015 Andrea Galindo and Ellen-Rose Kambel, Valérie Couillard (Editor)… Read more “Inter-American Human Rights System for Indigenous Women: A toolkit on mechanisms” ▸
The Living Convention
Guide: “The Living Convention: A compendium of internationally recognised rights that support the integrity and resilience of indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ territories and… Read more “The Living Convention” ▸
Advancing Human Rights-based Approaches to Target 3 Implementation: A working paper
HRBWG et al. (2024). Advancing Human Rights-based Approaches to Target 3 Implementation. A working paper developed by members of the Human Rights and Biodiversity Working Group and participants in the international workshop on Advancing Rights and Equity in Conservation (Nanyuki, 2024). Read more ▸
From Agreements to Actions: A guide to applying a human rights-based approach to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
A guide to offer additional support and specific examples for Parties, decision-makers, non-state actors, and rights holders involved in biodiversity policy on implementing a human rights-based approach in the Global Biodiversity Framework. Read more ▸
Respect and protect the environmental human rights defenders in Africa
African leaders and conservation organizations must fulfill their responsibility to take a stand and prioritize the protection of environmental human rights defenders, including those from Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Read more ▸
CICADA Launches Four Policy Briefs on Biocultural Diversity
CICADA, ICCA Consortium Member, launched the first four policy briefs of its series on biocultural diversity in settler state contexts. They identify challenges, explore opportunities, and provide recommendations on: biocultural indicators and the nexus of nature, culture, and well-being; livelihoods, food sovereignty, health, and well-being; information and communications technologies; and territorial defense in extractive contexts. Read more ▸
First published on 05/29/2016, and last updated on 07/03/2017