First Section
Outlines of the objectives of
the document
1. Introduction
1.1 Objective of the Guidelines
The fundamental aim of the guidelines is to promote the full exercise of the right
of Indigenous Peoples to consultation and to free, prior and informed consent on
State decisions that affect them.
To this end, the guidelines establish criteria and standards to guide Indigenous
Peoples in demanding their rights to be consulted and the requirement to obtain
their consent. The guidelines also seek to be of use to state decision-makers and
operators in fulfilling their obligations to respect, to guarantee and to protect the
rights of Indigenous Peoples.
1.2 Basic Definitions
1.2.1 Who are Indigenous Peoples? Understanding the term Indigenous
Peoples
Defining Indigenous Peoples is a complex issue. In order to do so, a generally
accepted method is to follow the standards incorporated into instruments of
international law for identifying the subjects of indigenous rights.
Thus, according to the ILO Convention 169, its regulations apply to peoples in
independent countries who are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent
from the populations which inhabited the country, or a geographical region to
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