To the Issue of Concept and Essence of the Indigenous People’s Right to Sustainable Development

Purpose of the study. This article is devoted to the study of the concept and essence of the indigenous peoples’ right to sustainable development. Results. During the consideration of the various international law provisions that enshrine specific norms of this concept, it is found that homonymous rights of indigenous peoples form a very complicated system that combines various rights that are closely related to the self-determination right. Thus, this study aims to show a somewhat alternative approach to understanding the essence of the right under consideration mainly as a part of the self-determination right that perceived by the author as a «cornerstone» of all the modern policies in the field of sustainable development of these peoples. Of particular interest is the author's position on the non-interference of the state and large business in the affairs of these peoples’ communities. As a result of the analysis, it is summarized that these peoples themselves should play a key role in the indigenous sustainable development process. Due to this fact, it is noted that the assistance offered by states and international organizations to indigenous peoples’ sustainable development should be carried out by providing them with freedom of choice and expression of their own opinion regarding their political, economic, social and cultural status. It also should provide diversified support measures, as well as expand their opportunities to live in accordance with their own needs and interests, being integrated into today’s civilization processes. The latter, according to the author, will contribute to the preservation of these peoples as separate ethnic communities, as well as their sustainable development on the terms they choose.

indigenous peoples, international law, human rights, sustainable development, self-determination, culture, participation, interpretation