The objective of this article is to argue that the minority rights framework of international law has not suffered as a result of the advancement of indigenous peoples’ rights within the UN. This is because there has always been a necessity for special protection for indigenous peoples as they need to be treated separately from minorities due to their unique characteristics that go beyond the classification of minorities under international law. In other words, indigenous peoples generally seek collective rights for their survival, while the minority rights framework is devoted to protecting individual rights of minorities including indigenous individuals. Therefore, it is appropriate to look at the legal distinction between two for the future realization of their rights, instead of considering the advancement of the indigenous peoples’ rights framework or the recent malaise that the minority rights framework finds itself in.

minority rights, indigenous people, human rights, үндэстний цөөнх, уугуул иргэд, хүний эрх, олон улсын эрх зүй