Category Archives: Notes

In his recently released annual report to the UN Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur provides a summary of his activities since his previous report to the Council (A/HRC/18/35), including his examination of the thematic issue of violence against indigenous women. He then reports on progress in his continuing study of issues relating to extractive… Read More »

The Special Rapporteur travelled to Australia from 20 to 24 August 2012 as part of his ongoing study on the thematic issue of extractive industries affecting indigenous peoples. During his time in the country, the Special Rapporteur participated in Melbourne in a roundtable discussion entitled “First Peoples and Extractive Industries: Good Practices,” hosted by the… Read More »

22 August 2012. A United Nations independent expert today called on the United States Government and authorities in the state of South Dakota to start consultations with indigenous people on a land sale that will affect a site of spiritual significance to them. Five tracts of land in the Black Hills area in South Dakota… Read More »

SAN SALVADOR (17 August 2012) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, today urged the Government of El Salvador to adopt new measures to recover ancestral indigenous cultures and establish participatory mechanisms from their representative institutions within State decision making. "The historical oppression of indigenous peoples and the suppression… Read More »

Geneva (9 August 2012) The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, issued a public statement calling on the Government of Colombia to advance in the process of dialogue recently initiated with indigenous authorities in the northern part of the Department of Cauca to address the military presence in Nasa territory among… Read More »

GENEVA. The UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (9 August 2012) In light of this year’s theme “Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices“, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the… Read More »

During the Fifth Session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (9-13 July 2012), Special Rapporteur James Anaya presented his annual statement in which he informed about his thematic work on the issue of extractive industries during the past year. The Special Rapporteur also made a statement during the inter-active dialogue on… Read More »

The Special Rapporteur has released his report on the situation of indigenous peoples in Argentina. The report is the result of the country visit conducted by the Special Rapporteur from 27 November to 7 December 2011. The report addresses the main concerns raised during the visit and presents a number of observations and recommendations. The… Read More »

The Special Rapporteur was in Jokkmokk, Sweden, on 18 and 19 June 2012, where he participated in conference on mining and other natural resource extraction in the Sápmi, the Sami territory that traverses the northern parts of Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Russian Federation. The conference, which was organized by the Swedish Sami Association, provided… Read More »

15 June 2012. The latest Joint Communications Report of Special Procedures Mandate Holders has been released by Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Report covers communications sent between 1 December 2011 to 15 March 2012, and the replies received from Governments between 1 February 2012 and 15 May 2012. Several letters sent… Read More »

During the fifth session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to be held in Geneva on 9-13 July 2012, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, Professor James Anaya, will hold individual meetings with representatives of indigenous peoples and organizations. The meetings with the Special Rapporteur will be held… Read More »

GENEVA (23 May 2012) – Two United Nations experts on food and indigenous peoples today urged South-East Asian states not to sideline the human rights of communities across the region who derive their livelihoods, traditions and ways of life directly from their natural environments. “Governments must not be seduced by the promises of developers when… Read More »

15 May 2012. During the Eleventh Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Special Rapporteur presented his annual statement providing an overview of his activities in the past year. These activities included coordinated work with the Permanent Forum and Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the promotion of indigenous… Read More »

Washington / New York (4 May 2012) The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, today concluded his official visit to the United States of America, which was carried out from 23 April to 4 May. In completing his visit, the Special Rapporteur urged the United States to strengthen federal… Read More »

GENEVA / NEW YORK (20 April 2012) – United Nations Special Rapporteur James Anaya will visit the United States of America from 23 April to 4 May 2012, to examine the situation of indigenous peoples in that country. This will be the first mission to the USA by an independent expert designated by the UN… Read More »

Professor Anaya visited Madrid, Spain from 10 to 12 April 2012 to meet with representatives of the Government of Spain, members of Congress, Spanish business enterprises, and NGOs concerning the impact of Spanish-based transnational companies on the rights of indigenous peoples around the world. The Special Rapporteur collected information and views on programs and policies… Read More »

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights released the Joint Communications Report of Special Procedures Mandate Holders for communications sent between from 1 June 2011 and 30 November 2011, and replies received from Governments between 1 August 2011 and 31 January 2012. The report contains several letters sent by the Special Rapporteur James… Read More »

San José – Upon completing a visit to Costa Rica, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, recognized as an important step a meeting between indigenous peoples and the Government regarding the Diquís hydroelectric project. During his five-day visit, the Special Rapporteur visited several indigenous territories and met with representatives from… Read More »

From 14 May to 18 May 2012, Special Rapporteur James Anaya will hold individual meetings with representatives of indigenous peoples and organizations during the eleventh 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… Read More »

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Professor James Anaya, will carry out an official visit to the United States of America from 23 April to 4 May 2012. The aim of the Special Rapporteur’s visit to the United States is to examine the human rights situation of the indigenous peoples… Read More »

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoplesto hold Consultation at Sinte Gleska University, Sicangu Lakota Oyate/Rosebud Sioux Tribal Nation, South Dakota, May 1st – 2nd, 2012 The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Professor James Anaya, will hold a consultation with Indigenous Peoples at Sinte Gleska University, Sicangu… Read More »

In a series of presentations in Lima, Peru and Brasilia, Brazil, Special Rapporteur James Anaya stressed the need for greater measures to ensure that indigenous peoples are able to set their own priorities for development. Professor Anaya referred in particular to procedures to consult with indigenous peoples about legislative and administrative decisions affecting them, especially… Read More »

Kirkenes, Norway 9 February 2012. In a keynote speech delivered in Kirkenes, Norway, Professor Anaya underlined the key developments that have taken place in recent decades aimed at safeguarding the rights of indigenous peoples, while calling for a new model of development in which indigenous peoples have the opportunity to be genuine partners, especially in… Read More »

In a press release issued on 7 February 2012, the Special Rapporteur urged the Government of Panama and indigenous peoples to initiate a dialogue due to the situation of tension and violence following indigenous protests. In recent days, Ngäbe-Buglé indigenous representatives have blocked different points of the Inter-American highway in protest of proposed mining and… Read More »

(New York – 18-20 January, 2012) The Special Rapporteur discussed measures for combating violence against indigenous women and girls at the UN Permanent Forum-sponsored “International expert group meeting on combating violence against indigenous women and girls: Article 22 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” held in New York. The Special… Read More »

The brainstorming session, which took place in Copenhagen, Denmark on 13 and 14 January 2012, was sponsored by the Government of Greenland, the Sami Parliament in Norway, and the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs. It provided an opportunity to discuss issues related to the participation of indigenous peoples in the World Conference as well… Read More »

In a public statement issued on 20 December 2011, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples expressed his concern regarding the reportedly dire social and economic conditions of the Attawapiskat First Nation, which seemingly exemplifies the conditions of many aboriginal communities in the country. According to information received, many of this First Nation’s… Read More »

A United Nations expert urged Argentina to strengthen its measures to protect the human rights of indigenous peoples as well as their rights to land ownership and education, adding that a mechanism to establish dialogue between them and the Government is urgently needed. “A central preoccupation expressed by indigenous leaders during my visit was the… Read More »