Native Population Rights Member-State: Iran
The UNESCO policy embraces the “right of indigenous peoples to their traditional lands and territories, and recognizes traditional management systems as part of new management approaches.” UNESCO describes indigenous peoples as “stewards of a significant part of the world’s biological, cultural and linguistic diversity and as partners in site conversation and protection activities.” There are approximately 370 million indigenous people spanning 70 countries worldwide. Indigenous peoples have often faced discrimination, been dispossessed of their lands, or have been trapped in the center of conflict for access to valuable resources due to where they live. There is no doubt that they are often amongst the most disadvantaged people in the world.
The establishment of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on native population rights in 1982 began the UN’s process of creating change among the discrimination indigenous populations face. Action has been taken by the UN to assist native populations in the fight for their rights. In September 2007, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the UN General Assembly was adopted. Furthermore, the UN Development Group, or the UNDG, has Guidelines on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues in 2008.
In Iran specifically, the UN website states that “despite progress in recognizing rights, indigenous peoples continue to face serious human rights violations on a daily basis.” Iran recognizes the need for the rights of indigenous peoples. On September 13, 2007, Iran subscribed to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. However, it seems not enough is being done. According to OHCHR, or the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights “Indigenous peoples in the region of Ahwaz in Iran face substandard living conditions or the threat of forced evictions from their ancestral lands without free and prior consent.”
Increasing the awareness around the need for the rights of the natives and supporting organizations such as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples helps Iran erase the discrimination that is unfortunately more widespread than Iran would like.