Indigenous peoples in situations of pandemics – an old problem reappearing anew with COVID-19

Indigenous peoples are much more exposed than the rest of humanity to the effects of disasters and other plagues threatening human life and social relations, including pandemics. The recent COVID-19 pandemic makes no exception, as in many parts of the world Indigenous communities have disproportionately suffered from it. At the same time, however, many Indigenous peoples throughout the globe have shown exceptional resilience to the emergency determined by the COVID-19 pandemic, often in the absence of adequate support by governmental authorities and despite the violation of international norms on Indigenous peoples’ rights by many States. Indigenous peoples need specific measures addressing their cultural and social peculiarities, while the ways of dealing with the majority of the society are generally ineffective for such peoples. It is essential that such specially-tailored measures are effectively put in practice, not only in view of ensuring the enjoyment of their internationally-recognized human rights, but also for preserving a knowledge which in the long run may save the whole humanity, not only against the tragic effects of a global pandemic.