Human Rights-Based Approach to Development and Indigenous Peoples

RIPP is guided by a rights-based approach to development that emphasizes the principles of participation, non-discrimination, transparency of practice, equality and accountability. The Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) is widely recognized as a valuable policy and implementation tool to strengthen indigenous peoples’ rights and development, by helping to build their capacity to claim their rights, engage with development projects and enter into dialogue with key actors, while assisting governments to respond to indigenous peoples’ demands.

Indigenous Peoples' and the Human Rights-Based Approach to Development: Trainings and Dialogue

In response to the development challenges facing indigenous peoples in Asia-Pacific, RIPP continues to work to strengthen the application of the Human Rights Based Approach to Development (HRBA) by building greater awareness of the principles of the HRBA and its value as an advocacy and implementation tool to strengthen indigenous peoples’ rights and development.

Sub-Regional Trainings

• Chiang Rai, Thailand: 4 - 9 November 2008
• Kathmandu, Nepal: 29 September - 3 October 2007
• Baguio City, Philippines: 26 - 30 October 2007

As part of this ongoing programme, RIPP organized sub-regional training workshops in Nepal and Philippines in September and October 2007. The sessions provided 50 young indigenous leaders with a comprehensive knowledge of indigenous peoples’ rights, and enhanced their capacity to engage with development projects and enter into dialogue with government and other development agencies.

The first training was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 29 September–3 October 2007.  The training was co-hosted by the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal, and involved 24 participants from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Thailand. 

The second training, co-hosted by Cordillera Indigenous Peoples’ Legal Center (DINTEG), was conducted in Baguio City, Philippines, from 26–30 October 2007.  Participants included 25 indigenous representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines and Vietnam.

The programme covered four main areas:
1) Concept framework of indigenous peoples;
2) International human rights systems relevant to indigenous peoples;
3) The HRBA to development and indigenous peoples; and
4) International financial institutions.

In 2008, with support from Global Human Rights Strengthening Programme (GHRSP), RIPP continued this initiative and conducted a subregional training in Chiang Rai, Thailand from 4 - 9 November 2008.

Participants were drawn from a range of backgrounds and professions including development workers, community organizers, lawyers, traditional leaders, women’s groups and journalists.

By broadening participants’ knowledge and understanding of how indigenous peoples’ rights are protected by international human rights law, the training sessions helped to empower participants to actively promote their rights.  One strong indication of this was the enthusiasm demonstrated by participants to develop follow-up action plans that include initiatives to introduce national level trainings for young indigenous leaders.  Importantly, participants are also in a better position to monitor development projects and ensure the projects adhere to international financial institutions’ policies of engagement with indigenous peoples.

A mailing list was established to discuss issues and share good practices with regards to Human Rights Based Approach to Development and Indigenous Peoples.

The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a conceptual framework complemented by the UNDG Guidelines on Mainstreaming Indigenous Peoples’ Issues at the Country Level are an integral part of this initiative.

Dialogue on HRBA

• Baguio City, Philippines: November 2005

Along with the Cordillera Peoples’ Legal Centre (DINTEG), RIPP held a dialogue from 4-6 November 2005 on indigenous peoples’ rights, development strategies and existing policies of international financial institutions in Baguio City, the Philippines. The Asia Development Bank was a key partner in this dialogue.

The following papers were prepared for the workshop. The views expressed in them are the views of the authors and do not reflect the views of UNDP.

• Background Paper, Rhoda Dalang and Jill Carino
• Asian Development Bank and Indigenous Peoples, Raja Devasish Roy
• Japan Bank of International Cooperation, Joan Carling and Friends of the Earth Japan
• World Bank Group, Fergus MacKay

Human Rights-Based Approach Manuals and Toolkits