Skip to main content

U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples celebrates 13 years

9/13/2020

Pictured in the photo are four Navajo Nation desk flags representing the sovereignty of the Navajo Nation and members of the Navajo Nation delegation at the United Nations headquarters for the high-level plenary meeting known as the World Conference on Indigenous peoples on September 22, 2014. Photo by Jared King.

Thirteen years ago today, the U.N. General Assembly adopted the landmark and historic United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) with the support of 144 countries. The United States voted with four other countries against the Declaration. In 2011, the United States reversed its position and now supports the Declaration.

The Declaration is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of Indigenous peoples. The Declaration establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being of the Indigenous peoples and it elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to Indigenous peoples.

Tags