Book Reviews Pritchard, Sarah (ed.). Indigenous Peoples, the United Nations and Human Rights. Annandale, Australia: Federation Press, 1998. Pp. 233. Index. $AUS29.95. Indigenous Peoples, the United Nations and Human Rights brings together a highly accessible collection of articles focusing on the United Nations (UN) human rights system and how it can be utilized to advance the human rights of indigenous peoples. It is designed as a practical and well-organized manual for individuals and organizations unfamiliar with using UN human rights standards and procedures to safeguard indigenous human rights. As a hands-on guide to protecting indigenous human rights, the book stands as a valuable contribution to the growing literature in international law on this important topic. It represents a much needed and up-to-date translation of the rapid development of indigenous human rights law by international standard-setting bodies during the past decade into meaningful and concrete applications within the UN human rights system. The book is divided into five major sections consisting of 14 separate chapters, each containing a wealth of practical information and insight on the workings of the UN human rights system. It explains the importance and potential, as well as the limits and realities, of international law for protecting indigenous rights, through a close examination of the UN Charter-based human rights system, the role of individual complaints under the UN treaty-based human rights system, the periodic reporting requirements under the treaty-based system, and the relevance of the standards contained in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in protecting indigenous rights. It also includes a useful bibliography of major sources for further study and guidance on the UN human rights system, a model communication to the Human Rights Committee, and the most relevant rules of procedure for communicating with the Human Rights Committee, the Committee against Torture, and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Arising out of a 1995 conference in Australia designed to increase awareness of the UN human rights system amongst indigenous Australians, Indigenous Peoples, the United Nations and Human Rights provides invaluable analysis and commentary on the specific human rights concerns of indigenous peoples in that country. Given the Australian High Court's historic 1992 Mabo decision, and its recognition of the 'powerful influence' of contemporary international human rights standards on Australia's common law of aboriginal rights, there are very practical reasons for indigenous Australians to develop an awareness of the UN human rights system. Their rights as indigenous peoples depend on such awareness. But indigenous peoples and their advocates in other countries besides Australia will find this book extremely useful as well, given its comprehensive treatment of the UN human rights system and how it can be used most effectively to protect indigenous peoples and their rights. Robert A. Williams, Jr. College of Law University of Arizona
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