Category Archives: Statements

Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, upon concluding his visit to Namibia from 20-28 September 2012

28 September 2012. "In my capacity as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, I am today concluding my official visit to Namibia to examine the situation of minority indigenous peoples in the country. Over the last nine days, I have travelled to various parts of Namibia, meeting with representatives and members of… Read More »

Namibia: UN expert calls for greater inclusion of indigenous peoples at all levels

GENEVA (28 September 2012) – 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… Read More »

USA / Indigenous Peoples: “New measures needed for reconciliation and to address historical wrongs”

GENEVA (11 September 2012) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, calls on the United States authorities to adopt new measures “to advance toward reconciliation with indigenous peoples and address persistent deep-seeded problems related to historical wrongs, failed policies of the past and continuing systemic barriers to the… Read More »

United States: UN expert calls for consultations with indigenous peoples over private land sale in Black Hills, South Dakota

GENEVA (22 August 2012) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, urged today the United States Government and the local and state authorities in South Dakota to address concerns expressed by the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota peoples about an impending private land sale in the Black Hills region… Read More »

Comunicado de Prensa. El Salvador: experto de la ONU pide impulsar aún más los derechos de los pueblos indígenas

SAN SALVADOR (17 de agosto de 2012) – El Relator Especial de Naciones Unidas sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas, James Anaya, exhortó hoy al Gobierno de El Salvador a adoptar nuevas medidas para el rescate de la cultura ancestral de los pueblos indígenas y establecer mecanismos de participación de sus instituciones representativas en… Read More »

First visit by UN expert on indigenous rights to El Salvador

GENEVA (10 August 2012) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, will visit El Salvador from 13 to 17 August 2012. “During my mission, I will analyze the situation of indigenous peoples, who are among the most vulnerable and marginalized groups worldwide,” said Mr. Anaya. This will be the… Read More »

Colombia. Se debe avanzar con el diálogo para resolver, conforme a las normas internacionales, la cuestión de la presencia militar en territorios indígenas en el norte del Cauca

Declaración del Relator Especial de las Naciones Unidas sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas, James Anaya Ginebra (9 de agosto de 2012) – “Enfatizo la importancia del proceso de diálogo entre el Gobierno de Colombia y las autoridades de pueblo nasa del norte del Departamento del Cauca, iniciado recientemente para abordar la cuestión de… Read More »

Comunicado de Prensa. Relator Especial llama al diálogo para tratar presencia militar en territorios indígenas en el norte del Cauca, Colombia

GINEBRA (9 de agosto de 2012) – Relator Especial de las Naciones Unidas sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas, James Anaya, exhorta al Gobierno de Colombia a avanzar en el proceso de diálogo iniciado recientemente con autoridades indígenas del norte del Departamento del Cauca para abordar la cuestión de la presencia militar en el… Read More »

Media plays vital role in empowering indigenous rights. International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

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 »

Statement on the occasion of the high-level commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, on the occasion of the high-level commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 17 May 2012   Mr. President, Distinguished representatives of indigenous peoples and States, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am honored… Read More »

Statement of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, upon conclusion of his visit to the United States

Statement of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, upon conclusion of his visit to the United States 4 May 2012 Washington, D.C.– “In my capacity as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, I am concluding my official visit to the United States of America,… Read More »

“Consultation with Indigenous Peoples in Costa Rica could be an opportunity and good example for other countries”

28 March 2012 – 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… Read More »

Meetings with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples during the eleventh session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

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 »

Indigenous peoples’ right to set their own priorities for development requires greater attention

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 »

Comments by the Special Rapporteur on occasion of the World Radio Day

[Geneva, February 13, 2012]  The Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples welcomes the World Radio Day, which was established by a resolution during the 36th General Conference of UNESCO in 2011. In this first celebration of World Radio Day, the Special Rapporteur would like to emphasize the importance of community radio of the world’s… Read More »

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to carry out official visit to the United States from 23 April to 4 May 2012

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 »

Statement. International Expert Group Meeting on Combating Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls, UNPFII

Statement by the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya 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 18 January 2012   Introduction I would like to thank the organizers of this International Expert Group… Read More »

Declaración a los medios del Relator Especial de las Naciones Unidas sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas al concluir su visita a Argentina

 “En mi calidad de Relator Especial de las Naciones Unidas sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas, estoy concluyendo una visita oficial a Argentina que comenzó el 27 de noviembre recién pasado. Durante mi visita, he sostenido una serie de reuniones con diversos representantes de pueblos y comunidades indígenas, y con oficiales del Gobierno nacional… Read More »

First visit to Argentina by a UN expert on indigenous peoples

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 »

Statement of Special Rapporteur to UN General Assembly, 2011

Statement By James Anaya, Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 66th session of the General Assembly Third Committee 17 October 2011 New York   Mr. Chairperson, Distinguished delegates, Ladies and gentlemen, It is my honor to once again present a report to the Third Committee of the General Assembly. I would like to… Read More »