International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples: A reminder of the needs and rights of Indigenous peoples

    • By: Clémence Vélon, Communications Associate

    Since 1994, every 9 August the world has marked the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, a day established by the United Nations to raise awareness of the rights and needs of Indigenous peoples. Holders of unique languages, knowledge systems, and beliefs, Indigenous peoples today face persistent challenges and human rights violations. As individuals and as institutions, we must stand with them.

    Honouring UN Day on Indigenous Peoples is more than marking a date on the calendar. At the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, we reaffirm that the rights of these communities are an essential part of the universal human rights framework, and that we must all contribute to addressing the urgent and contemporary challenges they face.

    Being Indigenous – What Does It Mean?

    Today, more than 476 million self-identified Indigenous peoples live in at least 90 countries around the world. They speak the majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent an extraordinary diversity of cultures and traditions.

    Although no official definition has been adopted by any UN body, the international system has developed a shared understanding of the term, which generally includes the following characteristics:

    • Self-identification as Indigenous, at the individual and community level

    • Historical continuity with pre-colonial societies

    • Strong links to territories and natural resources

    • Distinct social, economic, or political systems

    • Distinct languages, cultures, and beliefs

    • Status as a non-dominant group within society

    • Maintenance and transmission of ancestral environments, traditions, and systems

    In 2007, the United Nations adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), affirming their rights to self-determination, cultural preservation, free, prior and informed consent on matters affecting their lands and lives, and equality before the law.

    While recognition in international legal standards has been achieved, implementation remains uneven. Too often, the voices of Indigenous peoples are marginalised in international debates and policy decisions, despite their intergenerational knowledge about the environment offering valuable insights and solutions.

    Why Does This Day Matter?

    Although they represent just 6.2% of the global population, Indigenous peoples are among the most affected by discrimination and human rights violations, including:

    • Encroachments on their right to self-determination

    • Forced assimilation

    • Violations of their rights to ancestral lands

    • Lack of access to healthcare, education, and public services

    From land dispossession and loss of autonomy to systemic discrimination and limited access to justice, Indigenous communities face structural inequalities every day. They also account for 18% of the world’s population living in extreme poverty, largely due to their deep dependence on land and natural resources for basic needs.

    Yet their greatest challenge today is the climate crisis.

    “Indigenous peoples are among those who have contributed least to the climate change crisis, yet they are the ones suffering from its worst impacts.” – Dr. Christine Evans, RWI Affiliated Scholar

    Because of their close relationship with the environment, climate change is compounding existing challenges and threatening the survival of many communities worldwide. It endangers the ecosystems they depend on, while fossil fuel exploitation and resource extraction in their territories add further harm. Limited access to justice and political marginalisation make it even harder for them to respond.

    At RWI, we recognise that Indigenous peoples hold unique knowledge systems, innovations, and practices passed down through generations, emphasising balance between humans and the natural world. Every year, 9 August serves as a crucial reminder of their rights, dignity, and resilience – and of their vital contributions to sustainable development, cultural diversity, and climate justice.

    The Role of Human Rights Organisations and Institutions

    At the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, we believe human rights organisations and institutions have a crucial role to play in promoting and protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples. Through the work of our researchers and partnerships, we seek to amplify their voices on the regional, national, and international stage.

    • Research and education: RWI supports the inclusion of human rights education that amplifies marginalised voices, including those of Indigenous peoples.

    • Access to justice: We work globally to strengthen justice systems, ensuring legal mechanisms are responsive to the needs of vulnerable groups, especially Indigenous peoples and women.

    • Environmental rights and climate justice: Many recent RWI initiatives, such as the Defend-Bio project, engage with environmental defenders, land rights, and climate justice.

    In the years ahead, RWI will continue to strengthen partnerships and programmes that affirm this important role of human rights organisations and institutions, contributing to a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future.

    Explore RWI’s work on Indigenous Peoples

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