TUCSON (13 November 2012) The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, met with representatives of business enterprises and other stakeholders to discuss issues related to natural resource extraction affecting indigenous peoples. The meeting, which took place in the context of the Special Rapporteur’s ongoing study on the issue, consisted of several panels and break out sessions. These focused on, among other issues, company policies and practices related to indigenous peoples, case studies involving experiences with negotiations with indigenous communities, and ongoing challenges.
The meeting was hosted in collaboration with the Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources at the University of Arizona and provided valuable input to the Special Rapporteur’s report on the issue of extractive industries, which will be presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council in September 2013. This consultation complements numerous other consultations that the Special Rapporteur has been conducting with indigenous peoples around the world through his country visits and various meetings.