The Global Initiative to Address and Prevent Criminalization, Violence, and Impunity Against Indigenous Peoples

Background & Context

Indigenous peoples across the globe are increasingly subjected to criminalization and violations of their individual and collective rights with impunity.

This situation is prevalent in States which do not legally recognize and protect the rights of indigenous peoples, and where structural racism and discrimination against indigenous peoples persist.  In spite of the adoption by UN Member- States of International Human Rights Instruments such as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and their ratification of International Human Rights Conventions such as the ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, the  International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,  among others, many States still commit egregious human rights violations against indigenous peoples.  

These human rights violations worsen as more aggressive expropriation and exploitation of indigenous peoples’ lands and resources are done in the name of development and modernity. These violations happen with the imposition of mega- infrastructure projects, extractive industries, agri-business expansion, real estate development, commercial tourism, conservation and also for so called climate solutions such large hydroelectric dams, renewable energy projects and biofuel plantations. Indigenous peoples rights over their lands, territories and resources and their right to have their free, prior and informed consent obtained are commonly violated with these impositions.   Whenever indigenous peoples assert and defend their rights through legitimate actions, they are often subjected to harassment, vilification, arrest, detention and even extra-judicial killings. These acts violate the fundamental rights and freedoms such as the freedom of expression and movement, freedom from arbitrary arrest, freedom of association and to peaceful assembly, right to due process among others.

Data also shows that indigenous peoples compose only 6% of the world’s population but compose 15% of those in extreme poverty. Indigenous peoples territories are estimated to be 60% of the global land mass but only 10 % of these are legally recognized. This situation of inequality and discrimination breeds conflicts which further worsen the acts of criminalization against them.

“Indigenous peoples across the globe are increasingly subjected to criminalization and violations of their individual and collective rights with impunity. Help put an end to this.”

The Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI) is a global Indigenous Peoples organization that works to protect the IP rights defenders, and unite and amplify the call for justice and respect for Indigenous Peoples' rights.

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