reword to sound different and better: Whilst not necessarily an instrument of international law, the United Nations along with other stakeholders have implemented a form of self regulation, which stipulates that Indigenous people should be consulted and their free, prior and informed consent given to any measures of projects that will affect their land, territory and resources. In working towards this goal, several states, agencies, development banks and the private sector have taken this principle and implemented it within their policies for nation building. This form of self-regulation and not wanting the public relations headaches of breaching international law may also provide a way of recourse for the clans.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)andInternational Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR): Both of these treaties, which East Madol may have ratified as a UN member, contain provisions that could be relevant. For example, Article 27 of the ICCPR protects the rights of ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities, which could include indigenous tribes, to enjoy their own culture, profess their own religion, and use their own language. The ICESCR, on the other hand, recognizes the right of everyone to take part in cultural life (Article 15), which could be interpreted as including the right to protect cultural heritage.