# Holy See Defends Indigenous Rights at UN

> Holy See urges UN to respect indigenous peoples' rights as justice and common good.
- Title: Holy See Defends Indigenous Rights at UN · Vaticannews
- Summary: Holy See urges UN to respect indigenous peoples' rights as justice and common good. Archbishop El Kassis called for indigenous peoples' rights to be…
- Keywords: holy see, indigenous people, human rights, archbishop christophe el kassis, un general assembly, religion, world, Holy, See, Defends, Indigenous, Rights
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-10/el-kassis-un-indigenous-rights-holy-see.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-10-08T12:21:00.938+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: holy see, indigenous people, human rights, un, archbishop christophe el kassis, un general assembly, religion, world
## Archbishop El Kassis speaks at UN
Archbishop Christophe El Kassis, Holy See's Permanent Observer to the UN, addressed the Third Committee on indigenous peoples' rights during the 81st UN General Assembly session.

> Indigenous peoples, with their unique histories, cultures, spiritualities, and ancestral bonds to the land, form an indispensable part of the human family.
## Rights must be respected and protected
El Kassis insisted indigenous peoples' rights must be 'respected, protected, and promoted as a matter of justice and of the common good' under international law.

> must respected, protected, and promoted as a matter of justice and of the common good
## 20th anniversary of indigenous rights declaration
El Kassis highlighted the 20th anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, affirming their right to self-determination and traditional lands.

> affirms the right of Indigenous peoples to self-determination
## Indigenous peoples as subjects of their own destinies
El Kassis stated indigenous peoples are 'not objects of development policies, but subjects and protagonists of their own destinies' with wisdom for global harmony.

> are not objects of development policies, but subjects and protagonists of their own destinies
## Key takeaway

Archbishop El Kassis called for indigenous peoples' rights to be 'respected, protected, and promoted' as part of justice and global welfare.