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Earlier this week we marked the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  The UDHR became a benchmark in international human rights when it was adopted by the United Nations in 1948 – explicitly recognizing the inherent and inalienable rights and freedoms we all are entitled to as human beings, regardless of our sex, race, religion, or other status.

The United States played a leadership role in drafting the Universal Declaration.

In October, the Indian Law Resource Center, the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center, and the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center testified before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, bringing international attention to the high rates of violence against Native women in the United States and the unworkable, discriminatory criminal jurisdictional scheme that limits Tribes’ authority and ability to address this crisis in reservation communities. The Commission, astonished by what they heard, pledged to continue monitoring the situation and to assist in any way. (More ...)

Tribes are governmental and political entities, not racial groups. This is a principle embedded in U.S. law from the very beginning and explicitly recognized by the Supreme Court in Morton v. Mancari in 1977. This is the law of the land.

Urging action to stop violence against indigenous women is a top priority for Center staff attending the UN Human Rights Council's 29th session from June 15 to July 3, 2015 in Geneva.

Negotiations continue through May 2015

Four years ago, on December 16, 2010, when the United States issued its statement of support for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, it joined the world community in welcoming a new era of human rights. 

New report recommends actions to protect Native women and children.

U.S. compliance with ICERD reveals more than 20 areas of discriminatory laws, practices, and policies, including violence against women.

Indian nations and organizations are banding together to call for strong, action-oriented outcomes from the UN World Conference on Indigenous Peoples.

Coulter warns an FPIC approach to indigenous rights is backward, confusing, and can be a disservice to indigenous peoples.

Center releases an assessment on the readiness of Indian nations to exercise enhanced sentencing authority under TLOA and VAWA 2013.

Video and resources from the October 9 panel discussion, "Indigenous Peoples’ Lands and Development: World Bank Interventions and Lessons Learned"  (More...)

October 21, 2013 | Eight videos aimed at raising awareness of violence against Native women and redefining Native love are set to be released by end of the year. (More ...)

October 11, 2013  |  Tribal leaders file two administrative appeals to stop an election that would allow non-tribal members a vote on a proposed new constitution. (More>>)

September 2013  |  Highlights from the Center's participation in the  24th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland (MORE...)

Op-Ed by Armstrong Wiggins  |  May 31, 2013
Indigenous rights must be a priority for Secretary of State John Kerry during his visit to Guatemala next week. (in English..)  (en Español...)

MDBs and member States must respect the rights of indigenous peoples (more...)

Recent murders, kidnappings and wrongful arrests against prominent indigenous leaders incite call for unity and resistance. (More...) (See official statement in Spanish)

Recent Report by U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples says legislation protecting Native women should be an “immediate priority” in U.S.