This book, which can be used as a text for teaching purposes, gives a fascinating, and authoritative treatment both the rights protected by the Inter-American system and of the way in which its institutions work. An important part of the book is a thorough, article by article account of the guarantee in the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man and in the American Convention on Human Rights of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights in the light of the jurisprudence of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and of the Commission's many country reports on the human rights situation in particular states. There are also chapters on the rights of indigenous peoples, amnesty laws and states of emergencies. The evolution and current methods of work of the Commission and the Court are set out at length and their achievements are critically assessed. The role of non-governmental organisations is also examined in this context. The book will be invaluable to all those interested in the protection of human rights in the Americas and international human rights law generally.

In this thoroughly revised and updated edition of the first book-length treatment of the subject, S. James Anaya incorporates references to all the latest treaties and recent developments in the international law of indigenous peoples. Anaya demonstrates that, while historical trends in international law largely facilitated colonization of indigenous peoples and their lands, modern international law's human rights program has been modestly responsive to indigenous peoples' aspirations to survive as distinct communities in control of their own destinies. This book provides a theoretically grounded and practically oriented synthesis of the historical, contemporary and emerging international law related to indigenous peoples. It will be of great interest to scholars and lawyers in international law and human rights, as well as to those interested in the dynamics of indigenous and ethnic identity.

"The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is a culmination of a centuries-long struggle by indigenous peoples for justice. It is an important new addition to UN human rights instruments in that it promotes equality for the world's indigenous peoples and recognizes their collective rights."--Back cover.

The Guide to Indigenous Peoples' Rights in the Inter-American Human Rights System is one of an IWGIA's handbook series and aims to provide indigenous peoples and organizations with practical information to support their effective use of Inter-American human rights mechanisms and procedures for the vindication of their rights. While these procedures are far from perfect and certainly will not remedy all human rights problems, their use by indigenous peoples has led to concrete gains at the national and local levels in the past and can be expected to continue to do so in the future. Their use also further reinforces and develops indigenous rights norms at the international level, which provides additional strength to local and national advocacy and reform efforts. The guide sets out in detail how the Inter-American human rights system works. It summaries what rights are protected, with a focus on those of particular importance to indigenous peoples. It also provides detailed guidance on how to submit petitions to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Summaries of relevant cases and judgments that have already passed through the system or ones that are in progress are also included. These cases and judgments show how the system deals with indigenous rights and provide concrete examples of how a case can be moved through the system, a illustrating some of the points made in the section on how to submit a petition. Finally, the last chapter of the book deals with the Proposed American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Throughout the text, links are made to web sites containing relevant documents and the full text of cases or reports discussed.

This book stands alone in its comprehensive presentation of current information affecting indigenous peoples in different regions throughout the world. With contributions from both indigenous as well as non-indigenous scholars and activists, it provides an overview of recent developments that have impacted indigenous peoples in North America, Central America, South America, Australia and the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and elsewhere. The Indigenous World 2002-2003 contains the most recent information available on international human rights efforts in addition to movements and changes in the indigenous organizational landscape. This book serves as an update on the state of affairs of indigenous peoples around the world by region and country. It also updates the human rights processes and other international processes such as the african Commision on Human and People's Rights. Diana Vinding is an anthropologist and project coordinator at the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA).

In Incorporating Indigenous Rights in the International Regime on Biodiversity Protection, Federica Cittadino convincingly interprets the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its related instruments in light of indigenous rights and the principle of self-determination. Cittadino’s harmonisation of these formally separated regimes serves at least two main purposes. First, it ensures respect for the human rights framework that protects indigenous rights whilst implementing the biodiversity regime. Second, harmonisation allows for the full operationalisation of the indigenous related provisions of the CBD framework that concern traditional knowledge, genetic resources, and protected areas. Federica Cittadino successfully demonstrates that the CBD may allow for the protection of indigenous rights in ways that are more advanced than under current human rights law.

This guide is an authoritative reference point for anyone interested in the creation or interpretation of treaties and other forms of international agreement. It covers the rules and practices surrounding their making, interpretation, and operation, and uses hundreds of real examples to illustrate different approaches treaty-makers can take.