Report examines situation of Sami people in the Sápmi region of Norway, Sweden and Finland

By | 13 January, 2011

sapmiOn 13 January 2011 the Special Rapporteur made public and presented his report via videoconference at a gathering of Sami leaders and observers at the University of Tromso, Norway. In his report, the Special Rapporteur notes that overall, Norway, Sweden, and Finland each place a high level of attention to indigenous issues. However, more remains to be done to ensure that the Sami people can pursue their self-determination and develop their common goals as a people living across more than one State, as well as enjoy within each of the States in which they live the full range of rights that are guaranteed for indigenous peoples in contemporary international instruments. The Special Rapporteur makes a series of recommendations, in light of relevant international standards, to assist with ongoing efforts to advance the rights of Sami people throughout the Sápmi region. See advanced unedited version of the report here [English only].