James Anaya

GENEVA / PANAMA CITY (17 July 2013) - The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, will visit Panama from 19 to 26 July 2013, to study the situation of indigenous groups the country.

“I hope this visit will contribute to raising awareness of the concerns of indigenous peoples in Panama, including ngäbe bugle, guna, embera, wounaan, bri bri and naso people, concerns that are often ignored by the societies in which they live”, said Mr. Anaya, who visited the country in 2009 to assess the situation of indigenous communities affected by the Chan 75 hydroelectric project. In announcing his official mission to Panama, the UN independent expert expressed his desire to “get a better understanding of the views of indigenous peoples, representatives of the Government and other stakeholders on the advances and challenges that exist with regard to enjoyment of human rights of indigenous peoples in the country.”

During his seven-day visit, the Special Rapporteur will meet with Government officials and representatives of indigenous peoples in Panama City and will travel to the indigenous territories of Ngäbe Bugle, Guna Yala and Embera Wounaan.

See Press release

From 8 to12 July 2013, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, participated in the sixth session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the last session in which he will participate prior to the end of his mandate in April 2014. The Special Rapporteur spoke at the opening panel, during which he discussed his coordination with the Expert Mechanism and provided comments related to the Expert Mechanism’s study on access to justice.

He also presented at the panel on the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and participated in an inter-active dialogue on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the role of regional mechanisms in advancing indigenous peoples’ rights. In accordance with his usual practice, the Special Rapporteur held numerous parallel meetings with representatives of indigenous peoples and organizations, who presented to him cases of allegations of human rights violations and other relevant information.

See documents:  Opening Statement; Statement on panel on the UN Declaration; Statement on panel on the World Conference

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has release the latest Joint Communications Report of the Special Procedures Mandate Holders for communications sent between 1 December 2012 and 28 February 2013 and replies received between 1 February and 30 April 2013.

The report contains letters sent by the Special Rapporteur James Anaya and replies received from governments concerning cases of alleged violations of the human rights of indigenous peoples. Cases examined by the Special Rapporteur reflected in the report are from Argentina, Bangladesh, Botswana, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Russia Federation, and the United States of America.

See the Report here

During the week of 8 - 12 July 2013, Special Rapporteur James Anaya will hold individual meetings with representatives of indigenous peoples and organizations during the sixth session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Geneva. Representatives of indigenous peoples and organizations may request a meeting with him concerning matters falling within his mandate, including allegations of human rights violations.
How to request a meeting with the Special Rapporteur. Click here 

On 27 May 2013, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples delivered a keynote address at the inaugural conference of the World Indigenous Network, in Darwin, Australia. In his presentation he addressed the advances and ongoing challenges worldwide for implementation of the internationally recognized rights of indigenous peoples, especially in the context of land and natural resource conservation programs.

See the conference Program here, and see Videos here.   Media coverage here

From 20 to 22 May 2013, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples participated in the twelfth session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York. During his time at the Forum, the Special Rapporteur held parallel meetings with numerous indigenous representatives, who presented documentation regarding cases of alleged violations of their human rights. In his statement to the Permanent Forum, the Special Rapporteur provided updates on the activities he has carried out throughout the year, and some comments relevant to the mandate of the Permanent Forum to provide expert advice on indigenous issues to the programmes, funds and agencies of the United Nations.

See full statement     -   See video

GENEVA (16 May 2013) - The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya,has maintained a dialogue with the Government of Ecuador in which he urged the Government to adopt measures necessary to prevent further violence between the indigenous Tagaeri-Taromenane and Waorani peoples of the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve, located in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

According to information received by the UN expert, several members of the Taromenane people were killed as the result of an assault carried out by Waorani people in March in the province of Orellana. During the attack, two Taromenane girls were also abducted. The assault took place after the death of two elderly Waorani on 5 March 2013, which was attributed to the Taromenane who live in isolation.

See the press release (In Spanish)

GENEVA (15 May 2013) - A group of United Nations experts said today that the establishment of truth and justice in Guatemala, as well as being fundamental elements for reparation for the victims, are essential to ensure the non-recurrence of the heinous crimes that characterized the civil war in the country, including enforced disappearance, arbitrary executions, rape and forced displacement of people.

"Justice is the best guarantee to prevent the recurrence of these crimes," stressed the UN experts after last Friday's court ruling that sentenced the former head of State José Efraín Ríos Montt for genocide and crimes against humanity.

See the press release

Geneva (13 May 2013) The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, issued a press release today urging the Nicaraguan Government to adopt measures to protect indigenous peoples in the Bosawás Reserve as well as to secure their land rights within the reserve.

"The lack of progress for effective measures to secure territorial rights of indigenous communities within the reserve can lead to an escalation of an already tense social situation due to the illegal entry of non-indigenous persons in the reserve," said Mr. Anaya.

See the press release (In Spanish)

On 2 May 2013, the Special Rapporteur participated in a roundtable discussion in London, United Kingdom,which brought together representatives of indigenous representatives, business enterprises, and non-governmental organizations to discuss issues related to consultation and free, prior and informed consent in relation to extractive activities. The discussion took place in the context of the launching ofa new study, "Making Free Prior and Informed Consent a Reality: Indigenous peoples and the Extractive Section", by Indigenous Peoples Links, Middlesex University School of Law, and the Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility. During the roundtable, the Special Rapporteur presented updates on his thematic study on extractive industries operating in or near indigenous territories, and discussed international human rights standards related to principles of consultation and consent.

See study