UN declaration helps secure rights of indigenous peoples around the world Commentary
UN declaration helps secure rights of indigenous peoples around the world
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Andy Whitmore [Communications and Research Worker, Philippine Indigenous Peoples Links]: "On the fourteenth International Day of the World's Indigenous People, it is right that we celebrate last September's adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People as an historic event for the worldwide movement of indigenous peoples that has arisen to seek redress for the serious denial of rights, discrimination and abuse that everywhere confronts them.

The Declaration is an important step on a long journey by Indigenous Peoples to gain recognition and support from the international community to overcome the many remaining serious problems they face. But the existence of improved standards does not alone solve the fundamental problems. In the Philippines, where we mainly work, there are many provisions to protect Indigenous Peoples' rights contained, to a lesser or greater degree, in the 1987 Constitution and the 1997 Indigenous Peoples Rights Act. Yet despite this legal framework many abuses continue, with widespread abuse and erosion of the provisions of the Philippine Indigenous Peoples Rights Act.

The nominal recognition of rights in the UN does not signal an end to the problems. It does however offer new tools and opportunities. Companies and corrupt officials will still look for the wealth contained within indigenous ancestral lands. Yet what will determine the ability of Indigenous Peoples to exercise their rights to protect their lands is the extent to which they can assert their recognized rights."

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