Document Library

Indigenous People's Right to Adequate Housing: A Global Overview

Author: UN-HABITAT
Date: 2005
Size: 239 pages (1, 090 KB)

Access full text: available online

Summary

To what extent do indigenous peoples in different parts of the world enjoy the right to adequate housing? This report illustrates the lack of adequate housing and consequent poor living conditions of indigenous peoples worldwide. The study was undertaken within the framework of the United Nations Housing Rights Programme – a joint initiative of UN-HABITAT and the OHCHR. It includes a review of relevant literature, identification of case studies and the collection of primary data. Seven case studies are drawn from ten countries: Australia, Canada, Ecuador, Finland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, the Russian Federation and Sweden. Adequate housing for indigenous people is a critical human rights concern and there is a profound connection between indigenous peoples' rights to land and rights to housing.

The United Nations Development Programme has recognised that no single accepted characterisation of indigenous peoples captures their diversity. Therefore, in accordance with indigenous peoples' perspectives, self-identification as indigenous or tribal is vital.

In almost every country, (developed and developing), indigenous peoples are more likely than the rest of the population to be living in poverty. The socio-economic disadvantage experienced by indigenous peoples results from historical and contemporary dispossession of their lands and exclusion from economic activity.

• Lands, territories and resources are of spiritual, social, cultural, economic and political significance to indigenous peoples and are inextricably linked to their identity and continued survival.
• In many developing countries, dominant paradigms view the modes of production of indigenous peoples as backward and not in line with state development goals. Development projects often displace indigenous people (e.g. dams, tourism projects, logging).
• Indigenous women bear the brunt of inadequate land and housing.
• Indigenous people's right to housing is protected under international human rights frameworks but even where ratified inadequate and discriminatory conditions continue to prevail.
• While indigenous peoples and communities across the world are culturally quite distinct, their housing conditions and experiences are very similar.

In order to address these housing issues, several recommendations concerning housing and living conditions, legislation, housing policy and programmes and other issues are made. These are particularly pertinent for governments:

• The right to self-determination is important in ensuring the preservation of indigenous cultures and identities and realising the right to housing. Indigenous peoples, including men and women, should be included as equal partners in government decision-making processes.
• States must urgently address the discrimination, inequality and historical injustices experienced by indigenous peoples, and of women within communities. The connection between economic, social and cultural rights, including links between land rights and housing rights, should be explored further internationally.
• Poverty must be addressed, facilitating economic self-sufficiency for indigenous peoples, as well as improved health and education. Forced evictions must be avoided.
• Within available resources steps must be taken to achieve the full and progressive realisation of the right to adequate housing. This should include developing indigenous expertise in program design, delivery and management. Also critical are security of tenure, affordability and habitability, accessibility, location, availability of services and cultural adequacy.
• Appropriate services are needed for indigenous women and children suffering domestic violence/ abuse.
• Appropriate legislation and institutional frameworks must be put in place to facilitate these processes. Further research should be conducted into these issues.

Access full text: available online

Source: UN-HABITAT, 2005, ‘Indigenous People's Right to Adequate Housing: A Global Overview’, United Nations Housing Rights Programme, Nairobi