New Article by Legal Scholar and Practitioner Andrew B. Reid Calls Attention to "Slow Genocide" of Indigenous Peoples
Andrew B. Reid, JD, LLM, an affiliate of the Ved Nanda Center for International and Comparative Law at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, has published a significant article in the Fourth World Journal (Vol. 25, Issue 1, Summer 2025), titled “The Slow Genocide of Indigenous Nations and Peoples: Hiding in Plain Sight.”
The article explores the ongoing, systemic erasure of Indigenous peoples—what Reid refers to as a “slow genocide”—and critically examines the limitations of current international legal institutions in addressing these realities. In response, Reid articulates the proposal of the establishment of a new legal body, the Nations International Criminal Tribunal (NICT), which would provide an alternative international forum for Indigenous nations to seek justice for historical and ongoing atrocities.
The NICT, as envisioned in the article, would be an independent tribunal formed by participating nations and states that adopt the NICT Charter. It would function in a complementary capacity to existing institutions such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ), while filling key gaps in jurisdiction and representation. The tribunal’s mission is to recognize and affirm the legal standing of Indigenous nations and provide a judicial mechanism specifically tailored to hear cases of genocide, cultural destruction, and other crimes against Indigenous humanity. It has already been ratified by 66 Indigenous nations.
Reid was part of the team of legal scholars and experts who drafted the treaty establishing the proposed tribunal. A seasoned practitioner and academic, Reid has worked in the fields of Indigenous rights, international law, and federal Indian law for over five decades. His litigation and scholarship have influenced legal precedent across the United States and internationally, resulting in over 40 published judicial decisions. He currently serves as a trial judge with the Ezidikhan Court for International Crimes and has collaborated with Indigenous nations throughout North America, the Caribbean, and other regions. His work has been cited in national publications, legal texts, and academic journals, contributing significantly to the advancement of Indigenous legal rights.
For more information about the Nations International Criminal Tribunal
