What are some examples of claims on Human Rights?

Called Tribal Peoples, First Peoples, Native Peoples, Indigenous Peoples constitute about 5% of the world’s population, yet account for about 15% of the world’s poor. Note: 'Claims on Human Rights'  are likely to be in the realm of 3rd Generation Human Rights, as these are not well respected in the same way as first and second have been.
Lesson Presentation
In this lesson we will consider the claims made by groups on human rights. We will consider, as a case study, the claim on human rights made by indigenous groups around the world. First of all, let's clarify some definitions. To start with, what do we mean by indigenous peoples? Well, to make it difficult, there is no accepted definition but we can use this definitions from the Cultural Survival NGO as our starting point:
There is no universally accepted definition for “Indigenous,” though there are characteristics that tend to be common among Indigenous Peoples:
  • They tend to have small populations relative to the dominant culture of their country. However, in Bolivia and Guatemala Indigenous people make up more than half the population.
  • They usually have (or had) their own language. Today, Indigenous people speak some 4,000 languages.
  • They have distinctive cultural traditions that are still practiced.
  • They have (or had) their own land and territory, to which they are tied in myriad ways.
  • They self-identify as Indigenous.
  • Examples of Indigenous Peoples include the Inuit of the Arctic, Native Americans, hunter-gatherers in the Amazon, traditional pastoralists like the Maasai in East Africa, and tribal peoples in the Philippines.​
Read the article on recognizing indigenous rights by Ellen Lutz, Executive Director of the Cultural Survival NGO. You can read the pdf here. The article is quite long, but it is really very clear and excellent for summarising the issues. 
Whilst reading the article, you may wish to bear the following prompt questions in mind as they will be useful in helping you in structuring your reading for a purpose.
  • Indigenous advocates have pointed out that the whole debate is over the letter 's'. What do they mean by this? Think about the difference between 'people' and 'peoples'
  • Why do indigenous groups need special attention if human rights are universal?
  • What are the 5 rights sought by indigenous peoples according to the article?
  • What difficulties are there in defining the term 'indigenous peoples'​
  • ​Why were some African states seemingly reluctant to sign?
In 2007 the UN did pass the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which has been widely adopted. Reflect: an emerging addition to the international regime? Weaknesses will be at what level - codification, enforcement, monitoring or promotion?

Real World Example of 'Claims on Human Rights': The Indigenous land claims of the Maasai people

In a group of 3 or more... share a document called 'Case Study of an Indigenous Human Rights land claim'
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The Maasai are one tribe in East Africa, they are an indigenous group whose land is under threat from government gifting of land. Read through the following articles to build up a case study on the tribe;

- What rights have been infringed?
- What are the historic claims of the indigenous people?
- How is the situation here breaching the ideals agreed upon at the 2007 declaration on indigenous peoples right (see above)
- What weaknesses do they (the Maasai) have in making a strong claim for their land rights?

- Now think about sovereignty. Why are third generation Human Rights, particularly indigenous land rights, unlikely to be embraced by some states?

Once you have finished, C & P the contents of the document under your work from last lesson.
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