An American professor who helped draft the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples says a public relations campaign is needed to raise the profile of the document.
S. James Anaya says despite the endorsement of U.S. President Barack Obama, many people still aren’t aware of what the document actually means.
He says the declaration is backed by international law and a consortium of lawyers from around the world.
“And so there needs to be an educational campaign within the executive branch itself about the content of the declaration and how it relates to the day-to-day functioning of executive officials and the administration of federal programs,” he says. “That’s not that difficult to accomplish.”
Anya says the declaration should be regarded as a guide for all federal decision making.
“The declaration marks a path towards remedying the injustices and inequitable conditions faced by Indigenous peoples, calling upon determined action to secure their rights within a model of respect for their self-determination and distinctive cultural identities,” he says.
According to the U.S. Department of State, while the declaration is not legally binding it has both moral and political force.
Anaya spoke at a recent conference in Arizona.