Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations Human Right System

The United Nations general assembly approved the United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples on September 13, 2007. The rights of indigenous peoples have evolved based on current international law, including human rights treaties, and depending on the circumstances in which the communities found themselves and their priorities, such as the rights to their lands, territories, resources and self-determination. Unfortunately, many indigenous peoples continue to encounter problems in the field of human rights. Some of the greatest difficulties they face stem from the pressure on their lands, territories and resources as a result of their activities related to development and resource extraction.