44. The Chairman/Rapporteur believes that thèse suggestions are useful and unobjectionab1e in light of similar provisions in articles 30 and 31 of ILO Convention No. 169 and article 17 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and that they can be reflected in the revised text accordingly. Draft article 12 "The right of collective and individuai ownership, possession and use of the lands or resources which they have traditionally occupied or used. The lands may only be taken away from them with their free and informed consent as witnessed by a treaty or agreement." 45. Several govemment observers emphasized the widely differing laws relating to land tenure in many parts of the world. One suggested that this provision might conflict '-dth established laws and practices of a non-discriminatory nature, for example, when lands are nationalized with the free consent of a majority of the population, and maintained that indigenous peoples' land rights must not be used to discriminate against other groups. Another govemment observer explained that, under her country's constitution, there can only be a single régime for the ownership of property, and resources are generally managed by the State for public benefit. Others noted that their national légal Systems treated land and resources differently, or restricted private interests in land to use or possession. 46. Concem was also expressed that this draft article could be used to assert rights to ail lands occupied by indigenous peoples in the past. By contrast, ILO Convention No. 169, article 14, secured rights only to lands which indigenous peoples "traditionally occupy", that is, which they continue to occupy today. 47. Indigenous observers generally stressed the collective aspects of land rights, and maintained that this principle should be expanded to include ail lands presently occupied or used, including lands to which indigenous people 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the rights of indigenous peoples to their traditional lands and resources, and the concerns surrounding the potential impact of this on existing laws and practices. It also touches on the collective aspects of land rights and the need to balance these rights with those of other groups. This suggests that the text is focused on issues related to indigenous rights, land use, and resource management.

**Category**
Culture, Humanitarian aid and relief