The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions
KEY POINTS: CHAPTER 5
• The Declaration is a resolution of the General Assembly. Resolutions per
se do not create legally binding obligations on States.
• The Declaration does not create new rights for indigenous peoples. It
elaborates on existing human rights standards and articulates them as
they apply to indigenous peoples.
• The Declaration adopts language that imposes obligations and
responsibilities on States.
• Treaty bodies are using the Declaration in their work and
recommendations to States.
• The Paris Principles establish a broad normative framework from which
NHRIs can undertake distinct programmes of work to advance the
protection, promotion and realization of the rights of indigenous peoples.
42 | Chapter 5: The implementation of the Declaration