Human rights, explained.
Inuit hunters drive dog sleds searching for seal outside Ittoqqortoormiit on east coast of Greenland (Olivier Morin/AFP via Getty Images)
Donald Trump shows no regard for the rights and autonomy of the Indigenous Inuit population who make up the majority of Greenland’s residents.
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Melting ice caps reveals the scourge of colonialismMelting ice caps reveals the scourge of colonialism
The 20th century was a century of great disruption. An extended history of rampant land grabs and transfers of wealth by European imperial powers under the colonial system came to an apex and collapsed in on itself (think of the world wars) – leading to the rise of the international rules-based order, globalisation and the liberalised trade environment that most of us in recent decades have taken for granted.
As Australia and other nations continue to grapple with the legacies of colonialism, musings by incoming US President Donald Trump about needing Greenland for “national security purposes” send a stark reminder that imperial impulses bubble away under the caps of the world’s great powers.
To dismiss Trump as absurd is folly. These musings are in fact a significant development, reflective of a strong and historical imperial, colonial logic – positioning the US strategy, and its modus operandi in alignment with the aspirations of China (with Taiwan) and Russia (with Ukraine). It’s a significant development.
A significant driver behind the potential US annexation is Greenland’s vast untapped resources, including rare earth minerals, oil, and natural gas. But also, the melting of the polar ice cap – opening previously closed shipping routes through the Arctic. As climate change accelerates the arctic ice melt, these resources have become more accessible, fuelling international interest in Greenland’s economic potential.
Australia’s people would see even a musing about their home as a potential new piece of real estate for the United States as an affront to sovereignty.
Greenland has often been viewed as a strategic asset due to its location and rich natural resources. However, the notion of annexing the island raises serious concerns about the rights and autonomy of the Indigenous Inuit population, who make up the majority of Greenland’s residents.
In 2007, with the establishment of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the international community recognised “the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world”. Under UNDRIP the international community agrees to uphold the principles of sovereignty, consent, and environmental justice and in the case of Greenland to ensure that its destiny remains in the hands of its rightful stewards.
Trump’s musing’s alone show a blatant disregard of Indigenous rights, history and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples, undermine international law and set a dangerous precedent for global politics. Any action, militarily or through economic pressure, should be unacceptable at the highest level of global solidarity.
UNDRIP Article 3, explicitly states that Indigenous peoples have the right to determine their political status and freely pursue their development. Annexation, particularly if pursued without the consent of Greenland’s government and its people, violates this principle, which establishes the right to self-determination and consent for any development affecting Indigenous lands. The Inuit, whose survival and culture are deeply connected to the environment, would bear the brunt of sovereign and environmental change, inflicting further cultural loss, and socio-economic displacement.
Supporting this principle is important to Australia. In a world where resources, land availability, and infrastructure needs are squeezed over the coming decades a new colonial “master” may emerge and, with less subterfuge as the British, see rich pickings in the land with beauty rich and rare. Australia’s people would see even a musing about their home as a potential new piece of real estate for the United States as an affront to sovereignty. Equally we should all be affronted by the blasé plans of Trump – regardless of if they are just ruminations or something more concrete.
Any future action taken by the United States would leave the government of Australia in a precarious situation regarding its “first-nations foreign policy approach” and relationships with its neighbours. Would Australia consider a re-annexation of Papua New Guinea and annexing other parts of the Pacific in its own national security interests?
The hypothetical annexation proposed by Trump not only ignores the role of Denmark – an ally under NATO – it negates the rights of the Indigenous Inuit population, and the progress made in recognising Indigenous sovereignty on the global stage. Greenland’s future should be determined by its people, not dictated by foreign powers.
What now is important is how the Indigenous and First Nations of the world come together in solidarity to support the Inuit and their rights of self-determination under the principles of the UNDRIP. If an effective response isn’t forthcoming the question may be asked are any of the international agreements, norms and values that have shaped our world worth the paper they are written on?
About the author
'Alopi Latukefu
'Alopi Latukefu joined the Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education as Director in February 2023.
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