| Summary: | This essay deals with complexities regarding indigenous peoples’ rights to land and natural resources in the context of mineral extraction. A large share of the world’s indigenous population lives in environmentally sensitive areas. These regions are often rich in mineral resources and hence attractive to extractive industries. The international indigenous rights regime particularly focuses on land rights. These rights are based on assumptions of an ethno-territorial relationship between indigenous groups’ cultural identity and social well being. Their traditional land and livelihoods are considered to reflect these values. Permitting mineral extraction in indigenous areas causes significant impact on the traditional livelihood, which in turn can jeopardize the development of indigenous groups. In recent years, Sweden has been internationally criticized for not respecting the international rights given to the Sami population as an indigenous people. The critique specifically draws attention to Swedish legislation regarding mineral extraction. Consequently, this essay aims to explore whether and to which extent the current international rights regimes considers the right for the Sami population to prevent mining establishments in their traditional territories. Furthermore, it aims to draw some primary lines of how the international indigenous rights regime may contribute to a more effective environmental protection in these areas. The main findings show that the international indigenous regime and universal human rights interpreted in an indigenous context contribute to a positive devolvement regarding the protection of indigenous land rights. The study finds evidence that the international right to property in the light of a material understanding of the right to not be discriminated could obstruct the possibilities to expropriate these lands. This could lead to a stronger protection of indigenous values and livelihood conditions, as well as a strengthening of environmental values in the territory. The study ...
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