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 of the Government of Spain, as well as on the policies and actions of Spanish business enterprises, related to human rights and indigenous peoples.
The Special Rapporteur’s visit to Madrid is part of his ongoing work concerning the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples in the context of extractive industry operations in or near their traditional territories, an issue that he examined in his last report to the Human Rights Council and that he will also examine in future reports to the Council.