GENEVA (24 November 2011) – The UN Special Rapporteur James Anaya will visit Argentina from 27 November to 7 December 2011 to discuss the general situation of the country’s indigenous peoples, including issues such as their right to lands and natural resources. “During my mission, I will analyze the situation of indigenous peoples, who are… Read More »
At its headquarters in Paris, UNESCO launched its work developing a policy on indigenous peoples. At the launching event, entitled Knowledge Systems, Knowledge Diversity, Knowledge Societies: Towards a UNESCO Policy on Engaging with Indigenous Peoples, the Special Rapporteur welcomed UNESCO’s efforts to develop a policy on engaging with indigenous peoples. He further emphasized that the… Read More »
LONDON. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, Prof. James Anaya called upon human rights defenders and indigenous rights advocates to put additional effort into enhancing the capacities of the peoples affected by extractive industry operations in or around their traditional territories. The Special Rapporteur made this statement as part of… Read More »
In a public statement issued on 28 October, 2011, the Special Rapporteur warned that a proposal to repeal key laws and policies related to Sami people in Norway could “constitute an enormous setback for the recognition and protection of human rights in the country.” He further stated that “Norway could cease to be the world… Read More »
On 17 October 2011, the Special Rapporteur presented his third annual to the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The Report provides a summary of the activities over the first three years of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate. In his statement to the General Assembly, the Special… Read More »
The Special Rapporteur, James Anaya, issued an urgent warning about the situation of growing social tensions in Bolivia generated by the march of about 1,500 indigenous people against the construction of a highway through the indigenous territory and national park Isiboro Secure (TIPNIS). The Special Rapporteur called for the initiation, as soon as possible, of… Read More »
On 20 and 21 September 2011, the Special Rapporteur presented his fourth annual report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva. In his report, the Special Rapporteur provided a brief overview of the work he has carried out over the past year, and offered some comments on his study on extractive industries operating in or… Read More »
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… Read More »
In the first half of the report, the Special Rapporteur provides a summary of the activities carried out during his third year in the mandate, including cooperation with other international and regional mechanisms and bodies in the field of indigenous rights, and the activities carried out in his four main areas of work: promoting good… Read More »
The Special Rapporteur has released his annual report on his communications with governments concerning specific cases of alleged violations of the human rights of indigenous peoples. This report is complemented by, and should be considered along with, the joint communications report that is being submitted for the first time for all special procedures mandate holders… Read More »
The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples congratulates the Congress of Peru for the recent passage of a consultation law for indigenous peoples (Ley del derecho a la consulta previa a los pueblos indígenas u originarios reconocido en el Convenio No. 169 de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo) on 23 August 2011. He… Read More »
The Special Rapporteur participated in the Fourth Session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (11 July – 15 July 2011). In his statements to the Expert Mechanism, the Special Rapporteur described the activities he undertook during the past year under his mandate including the cases he has examined. He also offered… Read More »
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights called on the Special Rapporteur, James Anaya, to present expert testimony on the principles of consultation and consent, during hearings before the Inter-American Court in the case of the Kichwa indigenous peoples of Sarayaku vs. Ecuador on 7 July. The Special Rapporteur presented a short statement on the issue,… Read More »
On 6 July 2011, the Special Rapporteur issued a public statement in which he urged the Government of Peru and the indigenous leaders in the department of Puno to maintain a dialogue process in order to peacefully resolve conflicts related to mining and oil activities in the region following the recent violence that occurred in… Read More »
On June 16, 2011, the Special Rapporteur participated in a videoconference with members of the Justice and Structure Commission of the Ecuadorean National Assembly where he presented his observations and recommendations concerning the bill on Coordination and Cooperation between Indigenous and National Justice Systems to the Commission members, other Assembly members, State officials and members… Read More »
The Special Rapporteur was among a number of experts and indigenous leaders who testified at a hearing of the United States Committee on Indian Affairs entitled, "Setting the Standard: The Domestic Policy Implication of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples," held in Washington, D.C. on June 9, 2011. Information on the hearing… Read More »
The Special Rapporteur released his observations and recommendations on the measures needed to address the human rights concerns related to the proposed construction of the Diquís hydroelectric project in Costa Rica. If built according to current plans, the project will result in the flooding of ten percent of the traditional territory of the Teribe people,… Read More »
The Special Rapporteur, Professor James Anaya, will hold individual meetings with representatives of indigenous peoples and organizations during the fourth session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in Geneva. The meetings will be held from 12 to 15 July 2011. Representatives of indigenous peoples and organizations may request a meeting with… Read More »
In his statement to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, during its annual meeting in New York, the Special Rapporteur provided an overview of his activities over the past year, including his work coordinating with other relevant human rights mechanisms and agencies and his work within his four principle work areas: thematic studies,… Read More »
The Special Rapportuer gave the keynote speech at the opening of the eighteenth session of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge, and Folkore, on May 9 in Geneva. In his speech he stressed that indigenous peoples’ demands to maintain control over their traditional knowledge and cultural… Read More »
The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, undertook a visit to Costa Rica from 24-27 April 2011 to discuss the situation of indigenous peoples, in particular the Térraba people, affected by the Diquís hydroelectric project. At the end of his four-day visit, the Special Rapporteur noted that "All parties agree… Read More »
Delegates attending the biennial conference of the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council, the main representative body in Aboriginal affairs in the state of New South Wales, Australia, discussed the UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a benchmark for major aspects of the organization´s work. The Special Rapporteur, James Anaya, gave the keynote… Read More »
The Special Rapporteur is currently carrying out a study on the rights of indigenous peoples in relation to natural resource extraction and development projects affecting them, in light of the high level of information he has received from indigenous peoples expressing concerns about this issue. An important component of this study will be the eventual… Read More »
“The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples calls for a new model of development, one that advances indigenous self-determination and offers real opportunities for partnership“, the Special Rapporteur told German government officials and others participating in an expert workshop in Berlin on March 29, 2011. The Special Rapporteur gave the keynote presentation at… Read More »
The Special Rapporteur, Professor James Anaya, will hold individual meetings with representatives of indigenous peoples and organizations during the tenth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, in New York. The meetings will be held from 18 to 20 May 2011. Representatives of indigenous peoples and organizations may request a meeting with… Read More »
The Special Rapporteur has issued his report on the Situation of indigenous peoples of Guatemala in relation to natural resource extraction projects, and other projects, in their traditional territories. In an appendix to the report, he analyzes the human rights situation of communities affected by the Marlin mine in the municipalities of San Miguel Ixtahuacán… Read More »
The Special Rapporteur’s report examines the situation of Māori people in New Zealand on the basis of information received during the Special Rapporteur’s visit to the country from 18-23 July 2010 and independent research. The visit was carried out in follow up to the 2005 visit of the previous Special Rapporteur, Professor Rodolfo Stavenhagen. The… Read More »
In recent weeks, indigenous peoples and organizations have carried out numerous protests, in light of discussions surrounding and approval by the Panamanian National Assembly of Bill N. 277 to amend the Law on Mineral Resources. These demonstrations have resulted in clashes with security forces in which several people were injured and arrested. In light of… Read More »
The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, issued the following statement up on the conclusion of his mission to New Caledonia. Noumea, New Caledonia, 13 February 2011 – "In my capacity as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, I have conducted a visit to New Caledonia… Read More »
The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Professor James Anaya, will conduct a visit to New Caledonia from 6 to 13 February 2011, with the cooperation of the Government of France, to assess the human rights situation of the indigenous Kanak people. During his visit, the Special Rapporteur will meet with representatives… Read More »