Implementing the UNDRIP

Articles 38-46

38) Governments must do all that they can to make this declaration real for Indigenous peoples.

39) Indigenous peoples have the right to receive funding from the government to help make this declaration real.

40) Indigenous peoples have the right to fair treatment when in conflict with the government over rights issues.

41) The United Nations will do all that it can to make this declaration real for Indigenous peoples.

42) The United Nations will promote this declaration.

43)  The rights of this declaration are required for survival and dignity of Indigenous peoples.

44) The rights of this declaration are for male and female Indigenous peoples equally.

45) This declaration cannot be used to take rights away from Indigenous peoples.

46)  When using this declaration, all people’s human rights and freedoms must be respected.

Final Reflections and Activities 

Indigenous organizations, communities and grass roots individuals need to do all that they can to promote the rights in the UNDRIP. If people are not aware that they have these rights, they can not advocate for them. Knowledge of the UNDRIP is the first step towards effective implementation.

How can you promote the UNDRIP? Here are a few UNDRIP promotional videos, from Australia, from New Zealand and including Indigenous peoples from all over the world.

Justice brings people closer to realizing their human rights. What justice action can you do to promote knowledge of the UNDRIP?

Justice Actions 

1) Make a UNDRIP promotional video with your class and upload it to the internet.

2) Translate the UNDRIP into your local language and distribute it to people in your community.

3) Make presentation about the UNDRIP in a local school or community based organization.

4) Contact Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, the new United Nations Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples, with specific concerns about rights violations. This information on how to do this is on the former Special Rapporteur, James Ayana’s website. 

 5) Think of a specific rights violation in your area: 

• What is the ideal outcome? 
• Clarify all of the issues and groups or individuals that cause this rights violation 
• Brainstorm solutions 
• Identify ways to act, consider the pros and cons of each and safety issues
• Make a plan of action 
• Consider the short and long term issues with your actions