In 1989, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (ILO Convention No. 169). Since then, the Convention has been ratified by 20 countries. In these countries, the ILO supervisory bodies have monitored and guided the implementation process through regular examination of reports and provision of comments to the concerned governments. In this context, workers’ organizations have also assisted indigenous and tribal1) peoples’ organizations to bring specific issues to the attention of the ILO supervisory bodies. Moreover, the Convention has inspired governments and indigenous peoples far beyond the ratifying countries, in their work to promote and protect indigenous peoples’ rights. The 20 years that have passed since the adoption of the Convention thus represent 20 years of efforts, dialogue and achievements in the challenging process of gradually deepening the understanding and implementation of indigenous peoples’ rights.
