Indigenous peoples’ rights under international law have evolved from existing
international law, including human rights treaties, to address the specific
circumstances facing indigenous peoples as well as their priorities, such as
rights to their lands, territories and resources, and self-determination.
Unfortunately, many indigenous peoples continue to face a range of human
rights issues. In fact, the implementation of their rights is far from perfect.
Some of the most difficult human rights challenges for indigenous peoples
stem from pressures on their lands, territories and resources as a result of
activities associated with development and the extraction of resources. Their
cultures continue to be threatened, and the protection and promotion of their
rights resisted.
Indigenous peoples have had unprecedented access to, and participated
fully in, human rights legal and policy processes at the international level,
reflecting their influence on international decisions affecting them. This is
discussed in more detail below.