The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the General Assembly on 13 September 2007
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007, by a majority of 143 states in favour, 4 votes against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States) and 11 abstentions (Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi, Colombia, Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Samoa and Ukraine).
Click here to view the voting record.
Years later the four countries that voted against have reversed their position and now support the UN Declaration. Today the Declaration is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of indigenous peoples. It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world and it elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to the specific situation of indigenous peoples.
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (A/RES/61/295)
English |Español|Français| Русский | عربي | 汉语(PDF version)
English | Español | Français| Русский | عربي | 汉语(Official Resolution Text)
Adolescent-Friendly Version of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Historical Overview
The efforts to draft a specific instrument dealing with the protection of indigenous peoples worldwide date back over several decades. In 1982, the Working Group on Indigenous Populations was established and was one of the six working groups overseen by theSub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, the main subsidiary body of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (defunct 2006).
The Working Group was established as result of a study by José R. Martinez Coboon the problem of discrimination faced by indigenous peoples throughout the world. The study outlined the oppression, marginalization and exploitation suffered by indigenous peoples.
The Working Group submitted a first draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples to the Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, which was later approved in 1994. The Draft was sent for consideration to the then U.N. Commission on Human Rights for further discussion and if it was deemed to be appropriate, to approve the proposed declaration before its submission to ECOSOC and the U.N. General Assembly.
The process moved very slowly because of concerns expressed by States with regard to some of the core provisions of the draft declaration, namely the right to self-determination of indigenous peoples and the control over natural resources existing on indigenous peoples’ traditional lands.
The need to accommodate these issues led to the creation, in 1995, of the open-ended inter-sessional working group to consider and elaborate on the 1994 draft declaration. The open-ended working group hoped that the instrument would be adopted by the General Assembly within the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People (1995-2004). Since this did not take place, the mandate of the working group was extended by the U.N. Commission on Human Rights into the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (2005-2015).
In 2006, revisions to the human rights machinery within the United Nations resulted in the replacement of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights with the U.N. Human Rights Council. On 29 June 2006, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
On 28 December 2006, the Third Committee of the General Assembly (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) adopted a draft resolution to defer consideration and action on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the General Assembly, with the aim of concluding consideration of the Declaration before the end of its current sixty-first session.
Under a revised draft resolution, whose main sponsor was Peru, with a number of European and Latin American countries listed as co-sponsors, the full text would have been adopted by the Assembly in relatively short order.
But an initiative led by Namibia, co-sponsored by a number of African countries, resulted in the draft being amended. In its new form, the draft would have the Assembly decide “to defer consideration and action on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to allow time for further consultations thereon”. Furthermore, the Assembly would also decide “to conclude consideration of the Declaration before the end of its sixty-first session”.
Finally, on 13 September 2007, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by a majority of 143 states in favour, 4 votes against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States) and 11 abstentions (Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi, Colombia, Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Samoa and Ukraine). Click here to view the voting record. Since adoption of the Declaration, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Canada have all reversed their positions and expressed support for the Declaration. Colombia and Samoa have also endorsed the Declaration.
During the Durban Review Conference in April 2009, 182 States from all regions of the world reached consensus on an outcome document in which they “ Welcome[d] the adoption of the UN Declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples which has a positive impact on the protection of victims and, in this context, urge[d] States to take all necessary measures to implement the rights of indigenous peoples in accordance with international human rights instruments without discrimination…” (UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Outcome document of the Durban Review Conference , 24 April 2009, para. 73).
Statements and media on the day of the adoption
Message by Victoria Tauli Corpuz, Chairperson of UNPFII
Statement by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations
Statement by Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs
Statement by Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Chairperson of UNPFII to the General Assembly
Press Release
Media Advisory
High-level Commemorations
Tenth Anniversary (2017)
According to General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/70/232)adopted on 23 December 2015, the General Assembly:
“4.Reaffirms the decision to convene a high-level event to mark the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to be held during the seventy-first session of the General Assembly, in 2017, and that the event will take stock of the achievements of the preceding 10 years and assess the remaining challenges for the rights of indigenous peoples, and also consider the further follow-up to the Declaration, including the consideration of a third International Decade;”
And according toGeneral Assembly resolution (A/RES/69/159) on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, of 18 December 2014, the General Assembly:
“5. Decides to convene a high-level event to mark the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to be held during the seventy-first session of the General Assembly, in 2017, and that the event will take stock of the achievements of the preceding 10 years and assess the remaining challenges for the rights of indigenous peoples, and also consider the further follow-up to the Declaration, including the consideration of a third International Decade;”
Fifth Anniversary (2012)
According to General Assembly Resolution(A/RES/66/142) adopted on 19 December 2011, the General Assembly:
“6. Request(ed) the Secretary-General, in coordination with the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, to convene, within existing resources, a high-level event during the eleventh session of the Forum to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in order to raise awareness of the importance of pursuing its objectives;”
Following the provisions of the resolution,a High-level Commemoration of the Fifth Anniversary of the Adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peopleswas held on 17 May 2012.
Programme
- Programme of work
Webcast
Statements and messages
- Statement by UNPFIIChairperson GrandChief Ed John
- Message from H.E.Danilo Turk, President of the Republic of Slovenia
- StatementbyH.E.Luis Alfonso de Alba, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations
- Statement byH.E. Carlos Enrique GarciaGonzales, PermanentRepresentative ofElSalvador to the United Nations
- Statement byH.E. Carsten Staur,Permanent Representative of Denmark to the United Nations
- Statement by the Arctic Caucus
- Statement by the GlobalIndigenous Youth Caucus
Press Conference
- Video
- Article
Other Commemorative Events
Fifteenth Anniversary (2022)
On 13 September 2022, the United Nations celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by drawing attention to the continued relevance and importance of the UN Declaration today.
Video Statement by Dario Mejía Montalvo, Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on the 15th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Ninth Anniversary (2016)
On 13 September 2016, the United Nations celebrated the ninth anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by drawing attention to the continued relevance and importance of the UN Declaration today.
The day started with a press conference, where Chandra Roy-Henriksen, Chief of the Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, in UN DESA’s Division of Social Policy and Development, Reaghan Tarbell, indigenous film maker, and Americo Mendoza-Mori, Professor and founder of Quechua language programme at the University of Pennsylvania, gave their perspectives on the UN Declaration and why it is still crucial today as a tool to ensure the rights of indigenous peoples.
In the evening, the anniversary of the UN Declaration was marked with an indigenous film event about indigenous peoples and cultural survival in cities. Several hundred people came to the United Nations to see the screening of “From Brooklyn and Back: A Mohawk Journey” by Mohawk film maker, Reaghan Tarbell” and “Bronx Llaktamanta” by Quechua film maker, Doris Loayza – two films that tell the stories of indigenous peoples, sustaining their communities, languages and identities in New York, far from their ancestral homes.
Thefilm eventopened with remarks by the Director of UN DESA’sDivision for Social Policy and Development, Ms. Daniela Bas, who emphasized the relevance of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in implementation of the 2030 Agenda – and welcomed indigenous artists and film makers and their important role in promoting indigenous cultures.
After the film screenings, the two indigenous film makers, Reahan Tarbell and Doris Loyaza, were joined by Segundo Angagamarca who runs a Kichwa Radio Programme in New York. The three engaged in a Q&A session with the moderator, Damian Cardona Onses, Acting Chief of the Communications Campaigns Service in the United Nations Department of Public Information.
Useful links
- Programme for the film night
- Radio interview with Reaghan Tarbell
- Press conference
- Joint statement by the 3 UN mechanisms pertaining to indigenous peoples
UN DESA coverage
- Celebrating the 9th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples with an indigenous film night
- Film night to celebrate indigenous peoples’ cultures and identities in cities
Eight Anniversary (2015)
Click here to view the statement by the Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Professor Megan Davis, on the eighth anniversary of the Declaration, 13 September 2015.
UNDRIP in languages
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (A/RES/61/295) – Official UN languages
English |Español|Français| Русский | عربي | 汉语(PDF version)
English | Français | Español | Русский | عربي | 汉语(Official Resolution Text)
Adolescent friendly version
Know your Rights:
Adolescent friendly version of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
English
Conoce tus Derechos:
Declaración de la ONU sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas para adolescentes
Español
Декларация Организации Объединенных Наций о правах коренных народов:для детей подросткового возраста из числа коренных народов
Русский
Other languages
Note that these are unofficial translations provided to the Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The terminologies used in the translations do not necessarily reflect that of the United Nations.
Arawok (spoken in Suriname) – provided by UNDP Suriname
Aucan (spoken in Suriname) – provided by UNDP Suriname
Aymara – provided by COINCABOL
Bahasa/Indonesian – provided by West Papua Interest Association
Belarusian
Bisaya (spoken in the Philippines) – provided by Tebtebba
Bodo (Boro) Spoken in India – provided by Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples North East Zone
Carib (spoken in Suriname) – provided by UNDP Suriname
Cha’palaa (spoken in Ecuador) – provided by UNICEF, Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office
Catalan – provided by alterNativa Intercanvi amb Pobles Indígenes
Crimean Tatar, provided by the Foundation of Research and Support of Indigenous Peoples of Crimea
Degar (spoken in Vietnam) povided by the Montagnard Foundation.
Dutch, provided by the Netherlands Center for Indigenous Peoples
Danish – provided by the Greenland Home Rule Government
Finnish– provided by the Government of Finland
German – provided by the German Translation Section of the United Nations
Greek – provided by UNRIC Brussels
Greenlandic – provided by the Greenland Home Rule Government
Guaraní – provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Paraguay
Hindi – provided by UNIC, India
Ilokano (spoken in the Philippines) – provided by Tebtebba
Innu (spoken in Innu-aimun) – provided by Innu Council of Nitassinan/Institut Tshakapesh
Italian – provided by the University of Torino
Japanese
Karaim – provided by UNIC, Warsaw
Karelian (Karjala)–a Finno-Ugric language spoken mainly in the Republic of Karelia (Russian Federation) and partly in Finland–unofficial translation
Khmer – provided by RIPP/UNDP
Kichua (spoken in the Andes) – provided by UNICEF, Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office
Kituba – provided by UNIC, Congo
Kuna – (spoken in Panama)
Kwéyòl (spoken in Saint Lucia)
Komi(Komi kyv)–a Finno-Ugric language spoken by the Komi people in the northeastern European part of Russia–unofficial tranlsation
Lingala – provided by UNIC, Congo
Livvi-Karelian (Livvi)–a Finno-Ugric language spoken mainly in the Republic of Karelia (Russian Federation) and partly in Finland–unofficial translation
Malay – provided by RIPP/UNDP
Maori (spoken in New Zealand)
Maya – (spoken in Central America)
Mapuche – provided by UNIC, Argentina
Miskito (spoken in Nicaragua and Honduras)
Mohawk (spoken in North America)
Náhuatl (spoken in Mexico)
Nanai (spoken in Russia–Provided by Sakhalin Energy)
Norwegian – provided by the Government of Norway
Nepali – provided by Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities
Persian – provided by UNIC, Tehran
Pilipino – provided by Tebtebba Foundation, Philippines
Polish – provided by UNIC, Warsaw
Portugues – provided by UN Information Centre, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sámi (North) – provided by Finnish Sámi Parliament
Sámi (Inari) – provided by Finnish Sámi Parliament
Sámi (Skolt)– provided by Finnish Sámi Parliament
Thai – provided by RIPP/UNDP
Trio (spoken in Suriname) – provided by UNDP Suriname
Turkish – provided by UNIC, Turkey
Uilta – (spoken in the Russian Federation) – provided by Sakhalin Energy
Ukrainian – provided by Ukrainian Institute of legislation
Veps(Vepsä)–a Finno-Ugric language spoken by the Vepsians in the Republic of Karelia, Leningrad and Vologda regions of the Russian Federation–unofficial tranlsation
Wajana (spoken in Suriname) – provided by UNDP Suriname
Wichi – provided by UNIC, Argentina
FAQs
FAQs on the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
PeRs Declaração das Nações Unidas sobre os Direitos dos Povos Indígenas
Videos
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: a conversation with experts