Category Archives: Notes

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… Read More »

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… Read More »

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… Read More »

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… Read More »

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… Read More »

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… Read More »

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… Read More »

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… Read More »

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… Read More »

GENEVA (2 May 2013) Today the Special Rapporteur made public his report on the situation of indigenous peoples in Namibia. The report was developed on the basis of research and information gathered by the Special Rapporteur during an official visit to the country from 20 to 28 September 2012. In the report, the Special Rapporteur… Read More »

On 25 April 2013 the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples made a keynote speech at the conference, “The Right of Indigenous Peoples to Prior Consultation: The Role of the Ombudsmen in Latin America”, which was convened by the Ibero-American Federation of Ombudsmen, in Lima, Peru. The conference brought together the Ombudsmen and… Read More »

On 20 and 21 May 2013, Special Rapporteur James Anaya will hold individual meetings with representatives of indigenous peoples and organizations during the twelfth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held in New York. Representatives of indigenous peoples and organizations may request a meeting with him concerning matters falling within his… Read More »

On 20 and 21 May 2013, Special Rapporteur James Anaya will hold individual meetings with representatives of indigenous peoples and organizations during the twelfth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held in New York. Representatives of indigenous peoples and organizations may request a meeting with him concerning matters falling within his… Read More »

On 5 and 6 April 2013, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples participated in an “Exchange Workshop on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Between the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights” in Banjul, the Gambia. During the meeting, the… Read More »

On 21 and 22 March 2013, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples participated in an “Expert Focus Group Seminar on Free, Prior and Informed Consent of Indigenous Peoples” and a “High Level Meeting on Engagement and Dialogue with Indigenous Peoples“, hosted by the World Bank. The meetings, which took place in Manila,… Read More »

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has released the latest Joint Communications Report of Special Procedures Mandate Holder for communications sent between from 1 June and 30 November 2012 and replies received between 1 August 2012 and 31 January 2013. The report also includes replies received between 1 August 2012 and 31… Read More »

13 March 2013 – The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, finalized his two-day consultation with indigenous representatives from countries throughout the Asia region to gather information about key issues affecting their peoples. Representatives provided oral and written information on various issues including lands, territories and resources with a focus on… Read More »

Tucson (13 February 2013) – At the University of Arizona College of Law, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, engaged in a dialogue with indigenous leaders and experts to exchange ideas and comments on the findings contained in his report on the situation of indigenous peoples in the United States,… Read More »

The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, provided the keynote address at the Indigenous panel that opened the current session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore, in Geneva, Switzerland. The Committee, which is part of the World Intellectual Property Organization, is meeting to… Read More »

GENEVA (8 January 2013) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, urged the Government of Canada and Aboriginal leaders to undertake meaningful dialogue in light of First Nations protests and a month-long hunger strike by Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation. “I am encouraged by reports… Read More »

The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, together with members of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Expert Mechanism on the rights of indigenous peoples met in Guatemala from 19 to 22 December 2012 to discuss preparations for the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, which will be convened by… Read More »

The Special Rapporteur gave the keynote address at the Commonwealth International Human Rights Day expert panel entitled “Strengthened Rights Protection for Indigenous Peoples“, which was organized by the Commonwealth Secretariat to commemorate International Human Rights Day, on 10 December 2012 in Geneva, Switzerland. In his statement, Professor Anaya emphasized that the UN Declaration on the… Read More »

The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, participated in the first Forum on Business and Human Rights on 4 and 5 December 2012, in Geneva, Switzerland. The Special Rapporteur spoke at a panel on business affecting indigenous peoples. In his statement, Professor Anaya emphasized that there is a “need for change… Read More »

The Special Rapporteur presents his comments to a draft regulation on indigenous consultation and participation developed by the Government of Chile.  In a meeting in Tucson, Arizona on 27 November, the Special Rapporteur discussed the draft regulation with a delegation of the Government of Chile. See the Special Rapportuer`s comments and the draft regulation (Spanish… Read More »

TUCSON (13 November 2012) The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, met with representatives of business enterprises and other stakeholders to discuss issues related to natural resource extraction affecting indigenous peoples. The meeting, which took place in the context of the Special Rapporteur’s ongoing study on the issue, consisted of several… Read More »

In his fourth annual report to the General Assembly, which will be presented to the Assembly’s Third Committee on 22 October 2012 in New York, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples provides a summary of his activities over the past year. The report also discusses the need to harmonize the myriad of… Read More »

Geneva (12 October 2012) A group of United Nations independent experts, including the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, issued a press release today urging the Government of Guatemala to clarify the violent events that occurred on 4 October 2012 in the locality of Cumbre de Alaska, in the municipality of Santa Catarina… Read More »

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, said today that indigenous communities in Namibia are demanding greater inclusion in decision-making at levels, increased educational opportunities and full recognition of traditional authorities representing minority communities. “Like many other countries around the world that have experienced European colonization and waves of… Read More »

GENEVA (19 September 2012) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, will visit Namibia from 20 to 28 September 2012, to examine the situation of indigenous peoples in that country. This will be the first mission to Namibia by an independent expert designated by the UN Human Rights… Read More »

GENEVA (11 September 2012) Today the Special Rapporteur made public his report on the situation of indigenous peoples in the United States. The report was developed on the basis of research and information gathered, including during the official visit to the country from 23 April to 4 May 2012. In the report, the Special Rapporteur… Read More »