Critical Reflection of UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Title: Critical Reflection on UN Declaration
Type: Assignment – Written Assignment
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4
Due Date:
10 Feb 23 23:59 – 10 Feb 23 23:59
Weight: 40%
Marked out of: 100
Task Description:
Students will chose from a range of Sections within the ‘United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’, which will be provided to them. They will critically reflect on the Sections’ relevance and usefulness in understanding the circumstances of Indigenous peoples in both Australia and one other region of the world. The critical reflection will total approximately 1500 words.
Feedback will be provided directly to students within two weeks of the due date.
Criteria & Marking:
A detailed rubric will be provided on the course site. The rubric will focus on the following criteria:
 Demonstrated ability to understand the UN Declaration’s context and evolution
 Understanding how specific Sections of the UN Declaration offer opportunities to Indigenous communities
 Research about chosen case study locales and communities
 Critical reflection on relationships between Indigenous communities and governments.

Student Notes:

• Critical reflection of Australia and New Zealand’s Indigenous Peoples, specifically those with disabilities and mental health issues, using Articles 17, 21, 22 & 24.
• How has Australia and New Zealand fulfilled its obligations to Articles 17, 21, 22 & 24?
• Are there areas where performance is inadequate?
• Please make note of Australia and New Zealand’s initial refusal to sign the Declaration.

Links:
https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html

Article 17:
Article 17
1. Indigenousindividualsandpeopleshavetheright to enjoy fully all rights established under applicable international and domestic labour law.
2.States shall in consultation and cooperation with indigenous peoples take specific measures to protect indigenous children from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development, taking into account their special vulnerability and the importance of education for their empowerment.
3. Indigenous individuals have the right not to be subjected to any discriminatory conditions of labour and, inter alia, employment or salary.

Article 21:
Article 21
1. Indigenouspeopleshavetheright,without discrimination, to the improvement of their economic and social conditions, including, inter alia, in the areas of education, employment, vocational training and retraining, housing, sanitation, health and social security.
2. States shall take effective measures and, where appropriate, special measures to ensure continuing improvement of their economic and social conditions. Particular attention shall be paid to the rights and special needs of indigenous elders, women, youth, children and per- sons with disabilities.

Article 22:
Article 22
1. Particular attention shall be paid to the rights and special needs of indigenous elders, women, youth, children and persons with disabilities in the implementation of this Declaration.
2. States shall take measures, in conjunction with indigenous peoples, to ensure that indigenous women and children enjoy the full protection and guarantees against all forms of violence and discrimination.

Article 24:
Article 24
1. Indigenous peoples have the right to their traditional medicines and to maintain their health practices, including the conservation of their vital medicinal plants, animals and minerals. Indigenous individuals also have the right to access, without any discrimination, to all social and health services.
2. Indigenous individuals have an equal right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. States shall take the necessary steps with a view to achieving progressively the full realization of this right.