The interplay between global and regional human rights systems in the construction of the indigenous rights regime

Abstract

The emergence of indigenous peoples' rights represents one of the most significant developments in the recent history of international human rights. The difficult and complex process that ultimately led to the recognition of these rights in international law has demonstrated that global and regional systems can increasingly interplay in the context of human rights development. By considering the parallel normative and political developments that have taken place at the global and regional levels, this article submits that the Inter-American, African and European human rights systems made important contributions to the construction and consolidation of the global regime of indigenous rights. © 2010 by The Johns Hopkins University Press.