Describe ILO’s Convention No. 169 (1989) on Indigenous and Tribal people. Is India a signatory to it?
Describe ILO’s Convention No. 169 (1989) on Indigenous and Tribal people. Is India a signatory to it?about 150 words (10 Marks) Anthropology Optional Paper CSE 2024
Introduction
ILO’s Convention No. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, adopted in 1989, is a landmark international treaty aimed at recognizing and protecting the rights of indigenous and tribal populations around the world. It replaced ILO Convention No. 107 (1957), reflecting a shift from assimilation policies toward greater respect for the autonomy, culture, and self-determination of indigenous peoples.
Main Body
Convention No. 169 emphasizes the right to self-identification, participation in decision-making, and preservation of cultural identity for indigenous and tribal peoples. Key provisions include:
Land and Resource Rights: It guarantees indigenous peoples’ rights over the lands they traditionally occupy and the natural resources within those territories.
Cultural Rights: It ensures the protection of indigenous languages, customs, and traditions.
Consultation and Participation: The Convention mandates that governments consult indigenous peoples in decisions affecting their lands, livelihoods, and cultures.
Education and Employment: It promotes access to education and employment for indigenous populations without discrimination.
India is not a signatory to ILO Convention No. 169, although it has its own legal frameworks to protect the rights of tribal communities, such as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
Conclusion
ILO’s Convention No. 169 serves as a global standard for the protection of indigenous rights, focusing on respect for their cultural heritage and self-determination. While India is not a signatory, it has taken legislative measures to safeguard the rights of its tribal populations, though challenges remain in fully realizing these protections.
