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Minority and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in the Millennium Development Goals

Author: C Lennox
Date: 2003
Size: 35 pages (72 KB)

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Summary

How can human rights and poverty alleviation best be achieved among minorities and indigenous people? This report, by the Minority Rights Group, argues that greater effort is needed to ensure that these groups benefit fairly from development and the international commitment to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Governments and development agencies need to review their MDG policies immediately to ensure that the rights and needs of minorities and indigenous peoples are fully considered.

Globally, minorities and indigenous peoples are among the poorest of the poor. They should gain from progress towards the MDGs, but they are often left behind. The particular causes of their poverty and inequality, such as discrimination, are little understood or inadequately addressed. Their rights, many of which are linked to the MDGs, continue to be violated.

MDGs can be met more effectively by including minorities and indigenous peoples. Paying special attention to the needs and rights of these groups can improve strategies for achieving the goals and reduce the risk of conflict that may arise from exclusion from the benefits of the MDGs.

Disaggregated data for minorities and indigenous peoples is not routinely collected, therefore the gross inequalities between different poor communities is masked. Nevertheless, there is quantitative evidence to draw upon. It is clear that minorities and indigenous peoples have few opportunities for genuine partnership in development. They do not always have a government that is accountable to them and often lack political representation to influence policy. Furthermore:

• Exclusion from school is often due to discriminatory treatment, a curriculum that perpetuates negative stereotypes or the lack of education in minority and indigenous languages.
• Health and sanitation are often worse in their regions. In health care facilities, they may face discrimination. Medical professionals may not be able to speak their languages, thus inhibiting good medical care.
• Their rights regarding the environment and natural resources have frequently been overridden by governments, transnational corporations or multilateral agencies.
• Strategies for pro-poor economic growth that rely on natural resource exploitation often have an adverse impact their communities.
• Trade agreements and investment in natural resources may displace them from their traditional lands and territories. Their specialised livelihoods may be adversely affected by trade liberalisation.

Governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental development agencies working to achieve the MDGs should mainstream minority and indigenous peoples' rights into all strategies for achieving the MDGs and integrate special measures for overcoming discrimination. Furthermore, they should:

• Ensure the participation of minorities and indigenous peoples in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes.
• Ensure that participation is equitable, informed and transparent. Special attention should be given to enabling the participation of older people, people with disabilities, and women.
• Revise the designated indicators for measuring progress towards the MDGs to include disaggregated data for ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples.
• Where MDG development programmes are found to impact negatively on minority and indigenous communities, remedial measures should be taken in consultation with the affected groups.
• Provide appropriate guidelines and training on the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples to staff in development agencies responsible for MDGs-related activities.

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Source: Lennox, C., (2003) ‘Minority and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in the Millennium Development Goals’, Minority Rights Group International, London