Review of India under UPR during 4th Cycle: The case for specific recommendations on Indigenous Peoples

India is scheduled to be reviewed under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on 10 November 2022.

There are an estimated 476 million Indigenous Peoples in the world and about 113 million or close to 25% of Indigenous Peoples of the world live in India; yet very few recommendations specific to Indigenous Peoples of India were made during the UPR. There were no recommendations on Indigenous Peoples during the 1^st and 3^rd cycles, while two generic recommendations referred to "Scheduled Tribes" as part of the vulnerable groups during the 2^nd cycle of the UPR.

India’s democratic and civic spaces have shrunk, which is an issue of global concern. Indigenous Peoples’ issues are most likely to be overshadowed again. On the other hand, Indigenous Peoples’ land and natural resources are being targeted for India’s post-COVID-19 recovery, augmenting strategic/security interest and economic development as explained in this submission. They are indeed the most vulnerable requiring specific recommendations.