Throughout history, the world’s indigenous people—an estimated 300 million in more than 70 countries—have suffered at the hands of colonizers and others seeking territory and riches.
The United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations, which has been meeting since 1982, works to promote indigenous people’s rights. Members have drafted a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which, if adopted, will represent a major step forward.
The General Assembly’s proclamation of 1993 as the International Year of the World’s Indigenous People and 1995-2004 as the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, is an effort to strengthen international cooperation for solving the problems faced by indigenous communities