STATE OF THE WORLD's INDIGENOUs PEOpLEs - CINU

EMBARGOED UNTIL 14 January 2010STATE OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLESNot for distributionthe fundamental connection between human rights, democracy and the rule oflaw. 33 In particular, Articles 7, 9, and 11 read:Article 7Democracy is indispensable for the effective exercise offundamental freedoms and human rights in their universality,indivisibility and interdependence, embodied in the respectiveconstitutions of states and in inter-American and internationalhuman rights instruments.Article 9The elimination of all forms of discrimination, especially gender,ethnic and race discrimination, as well as diverse forms ofintolerance, the promotion and protection of human rightsof Indigenous peoples and migrants, and respect for ethnic,cultural and religious diversity in the Americas contribute tostrengthening democracy and citizen participation.Article 11Democracy and social and economic development areinterdependent and are mutually reinforcing.It is the underlying principles of democracy that are necessarily and intimatelytied to the exercise of human rights by indigenous peoples as well as the equalapplication of the rule of law to indigenous individuals and groups.All of the key aspects of a human rights-based approach adopted byindigenous peoples require consideration: self-determination; the inter-related,interdependent and indivisible nature of human rights; universality; and humanrights, democracy and the rule of law. Too often, they have been overlooked anddenied within the indigenous context. Without a comprehensive understandingof these human rights principles, the full and effective exercise of indigenoushuman rights will not be achieved.it is the underlyingprinciples of democracythat are necessarily andintimately tied to theexercise of human rightsby indigenous peoplesas well as the equalapplication of the ruleof law to indigenousindividuals and groupsRelevant human rights instrumentsspecifically concerning indigenous peoplesThough indigenous peoples are the beneficiaries or subjects of all existinginternational human rights instruments, it is important to focus upon thoseinstruments that specifically address their distinct context.The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous PeoplesThe General Assembly’s adoption on September 13, 2007 of the United NationsDeclaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples demonstrates the Organization’s33Inter-American Democratic Charter (2001).HUMAN RIGHTS | 197