Until comparatively recently the rights of indigenous peoples have not been adequately safeguarded by international law. Discuss

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Until comparatively recently the rights of indigenous peoples have not been adequately safeguarded by international law.

Discuss

Indigenous people are located on every continent of the world and are estimated to equate to 6% of the world's population, with an estimated 5000 distinct groups in 72 countries1. With such figures it may be alarming to think that so many people could have been failed by not having sufficient safeguards at international law. Yet, it may be said that international law has indeed failed to protect the rights of indigenous people and until relatively recently had not even recognised them with rights that are capable of being protected or enforced. This essay will attempt to outline the possible reasons for this lack of protection at international law for indigenous peoples. It will endeavour to outline the historical context of the plight to which indigenous communities have faced, the history of rights being recognised at an international level and the possible distinction between these rights and rights specific to indigenous peoples; the protection afforded by other rights recognised at international law; the recognition of indigenous communities from governmental and non-governmental organisations; definitions of who may constitute indigenous and whether this