United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

03 April 2009

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) outlines human rights for Indigenous Peoples. It includes 46 principles describing specific issues that affect Indigenous Peoples across the world and suggests how governments can work with Indigenous Peoples to better protect their rights. After initially voting against adopting the UNDRIP at the United Nations in 2007, Australia formally announced support for the Declaration on 3 April 2009.

The UNDRIP is not a treaty, so it does not have legal force. It relies on and builds on established human rights obligations in international treaties – written agreements which are governed by international law – and customary law – laws based on the traditions, customs, or rules of a local community. The UNDRIP can be used to help shape and inform the policy and decisions of the Australian Government related to the rights of First Nations peoples.