This paper offers a comparative perspective on a specific issue of the indigenous peoples of the Saami and the Karen. The groups being compared are from Europe and Asia, selected on the basis of their particular circumstances of living in more than one State. However, while the Saami are a relatively well-treated people that enjoy a form of cultural autonomy; the Karen are in a far worse situation with regard to their legal position as well as actual living conditions. The authors examine the cultural, political, and legal aspects of the Saami and the Karen situations and compare their common experience and aspirations. The article attempts to answer the question as to what the similarities and differences between the two indigenous peoples are and what lessons can be learned by those peoples that may be helpful in realizing their aspirations.

本文就萨米族和克伦族的土著人民的特定问题提供了比较观点。被比较的群体来自欧洲和亚洲，是根据他们在一个以上国家中生活的特殊情况选出的。然而，尽管萨米族人是一种相对受过良好对待的人，享有某种文化自治权；就其法律地位和实际生活条件而言，卡伦州的情况要差得多。作者研究了萨米族人和卡伦族人的文化，政治和法律方面，并比较了他们的共同经验和愿望。本文试图回答两个土著人民之间有何异同，以及这些人民可以从中汲取哪些经验教训，这可能有助于实现他们的愿望。