Emphasizing that the United Nations has an important and continuing role
to play in promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples, Believing that this Declaration is a further important step forward for the recognition, promotion and protection of the rights and freedoms of indigenous peoples and in the development of relevant activities of the United Nations system in this field, Recognizing and reaffirming that indigenous
individuals are entitled without discrimination
to all human rights recognized in international law, and that indigenous peoples possess collective rights which are indispensable for their existence, well - being and integral development as peoples, Recognizing that the situation of indigenous peoples varies from region
to region and from country
to country and that the significance of national and regional
particularities and various historical and cultural backgrounds should be taken into consideration, Solemnly proclaims the following United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a standard of achievement
to be pursued in a spirit of partnership and mutual
respect: