Professor Anaya recently participated in an in-depth dialogue with representatives of the Government of Brazil, providing an overview of the duty of States to consult with indigenous peoples. The meeting was attended by numerous government institutions, including the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI); the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE); the General Secretariat of the President of the Republic; the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME); Brazil’s Special Secretariat for the Promotion of Racial Equality (SEPPIR); the Palmares Cultural Foundation (Fundação Cultural Palmares); the Brazilian Institute on Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA); and the National Department of Infrastructure and Transportation (DNIT).
Professor Anaya expressed his hope that this meeting will assist in the advancement of Brazil’s implementation of international standards regarding the duty to consult and the principle of free, prior and informed consent. Also while in Brasilia, Professor Anaya spoke at a public event organized by the Socio-Environmental Institute (ISA), which was attended by students, academics, and representatives of non-governmental organizations and indigenous peoples.