Defending Human Rights

Standing Rock Water Protectors, September 2016
Standing Rock Water Protectors, September 2016

IITC works to defend the rights of Indigenous Peoples as affirmed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other international and regional human rights standards, and to ensure that States, corporations and the UN System fully respect, recognize and implement these Rights and are held accountable for violations. IITC provides training, capacity-building and access for Indigenous Peoples to utilize a human rights framework to advance the struggles of their Nations and communities "on the ground," and to engage effectively in UN human rights bodies and mechanisms. Key human rights focus areas for IITC include cultural rights and protection of sacred sites, prisoners’ rights, access to justice, right to health, racial discrimination, rights of Indigenous women and children, water and land rights, Free Prior and Informed Consent, Truth in History, decolonization and protection for Human, Treaty and Environmental rights defenders.

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Reaffirming that Indigenous Peoples, in the exercise of their rights, should be free from discrimination of any kind.

~ United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Program Areas
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    Program Areas
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      IITC Submissions and Complaints to United Nations Human Rights Bodies
      IITC Submissions and Complaints to United Nations Human Rights Bodies

      Press Releases

      IITC Communicates Urgent Violations Against Indigenous Peoples in Guatemala to UN Human Rights Bodies, October 2022

      Jose Francisco Cali Tzay elected as President of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the first Indigenous expert to hold such a position in the United Nations system, Feb. 3, 2014

      Jose Francisco Cali Tzay elegido como Presidente del Comité de las Naciones Unidas para la Eliminación de la Discriminación Racial, el primer experto indígena en sostener dicha posición en el sistema de las Naciones Unidas, 03 de febrero 2014

      Statement of Chief Wilton Littlechild to the UN CERD – A first for Indigenous Peoples, the United Nations and the World, Feb. 3, 2014

      IITC Files Urgent Action to the UN CERD in Conjunction with Chief Theresa Spence and the Mushkegowuk People of Attawapiskat First Nation, Feb. 18, 2013

      UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination questions Canada about violations of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, Feb. 24, 2012

      Tribes File Human Rights Complaint on San Francisco Peaks Desecration, Aug. 24, 2011

      Urgent Action and Early Warning Procedures

      CERD Communication to Guatemala 02 December 2022 - Unofficial translation

      CERD Urgent Action filed in support of Indigenous Human Rights Defenders in the Philippines, 26 March 2018

      IITC and Shiprock Chapter Urgent Action submitted to UN CERD August 19th 2015 addressing toxic waste mining spill” under the heading “Urgent Action and Early Warning Procedures

      The Situation of the Mushkegowuk People of Attawapiskat First Nation in Canada. Feb. 10, 2013

      CERD Letter To The US In Response To Urgent Action Submissions, Mar. 9, 2012

      CERD Urgent Action Submission on San Francisco Peaks, Feb. 16, 2013

      CERD Urgent Action Submission on San Francisco Peaks, Feb. 10, 2012

      CERD Urgent Action Submission on San Francisco Peaks, Feb. 4, 2012

      CERD Urgent Action Submission on San Francisco Peaks, Aug. 17, 2011

      Country Reviews

      Concluding observations on the combined seventh to ninth periodic reports of the United States of America, CERD/C/USA/CO/7-9, 25 September 2014

      Alternative Report regarding lack of implementation by the US of Recommendation 38 of the Committee’s 2008 Concluding Observations and Related Violations. CERD Examination of the US 7th, 8th, 9th Periodic Reports, Aug. 13-14, 2014.

      Response to the US 2013 Periodic Report: Joint Submission of Two Alternative Reports regarding the violations of Indigenous Children’s Right to Culture and Continuing Legacy of the Boarding School Policies. CERD Examination of the US 7th, 8th, 9th Periodic Reports, Aug. 13-14, 2014.

      Alternative Report regarding lack of implementation of CERD Concluding Recommendation 29 regarding the US in Feb. 2008 and activities negatively impacting areas of spiritual and cultural significance to Indigenous Peoples. CERD Examination of the US 7th, 8th, 9th Periodic Reports, Aug. 13-14, 2014.

      Alternative report regarding lack of implementation of CERD Concluding Recommendation 30 regarding the US in Feb. 2008 and impacts of the continued production and export of unregistered pesticides. CERD Examination of the US 7th, 8th, 9th Periodic Reports, Aug. 13-14, 2014.

      Alternative Report regarding lack of implementation by the US of Recommendation 29 of the Committee’s 2008 Concluding Observations. CERD Examination of the US 7th, 8th, 9th Periodic Reports, Aug. 13-14, 2014.

      Alternative Report regarding the continued desecration of the San Francisco Peaks, a Sacred Area. CERD Examination of the US 7th, 8th, 9th Periodic Reports, Aug. 13-14, 2014.

      Alternative Report regarding racial discrimination by the US criminal justice system against Indigenous Peoples in the US and the case of Leonard Peltier. CERD Examination of the US 7th, 8th, 9th Periodic Reports, Aug. 13-14, 2014.

      Periodic Report of the United States of America to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Jun. 2013.

      CERD Concluding Observations – Canada, Mar. 2012

      Oral Intervention. CERD Examination of Canada’s 19th, 20th Periodic Reports, Feb. 13 – Mar. 9, 2012.

      Response to Canada’s 19th and 20th Periodic Reports: Consolidated Indigenous Alternative Report (Executive Summary). CERD Examination of Canada’s 19th, 20th Periodic Reports, Feb. 13 – Mar. 9, 2012.

      Response to Canada’s 19th and 20th Periodic Reports: Consolidated Indigenous Alternative Report. CERD Examination of Canada’s 19th, 20th Periodic Reports, Feb. 13 – Mar. 9, 2012.

      CERD Concluding Observations – United States of America, Feb. 2008

      Indigenous Peoples Shadow Report. CERD Examination of the US 4th, 5th, 6th Periodic Reports, Feb. 21-22, 2008

      Informe Alternativo Indígena. CERD sobre Mexico, 2 de febrero de 2012.

      Online Resources

      International Convention on Civil and Political Rights

      UN Human Rights Committee web page

      List of issues prior to submission of the fifth periodic report of the United States of America, 2 April 2019

      UN Human Rights Committee Concluding Observations on the 4th Periodic report of the United States, March 28th, 2014 (Advance Unedited Version)

      REVIEW OF THE UNITED STATES BY THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE RESCHEDULED FOR MARCH 13TH – 14TH, 2014, UPDATES AND NEW REPORTS DUE FEBRUARY 14TH, 2014

      4th Periodic Report of the United States to the UN Human Rights Committee on its compliance with the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was filed on December 20th, 2011 and can be downloaded from the HRC web page with the reports for is 109th session (October 14th – November 1, 2013)

      “The relationship of the Human Rights Committee with non-governmental organizations”, Human Rights Committee, 104th session, March, 2012

      “Relación del Comité de Derechos Humanos con las organizaciones no gubernamentales”, Comité de Derechos Humanos, 104º período de sesiones, marzo de 2012

      Human Rights Committee Concluding Observations on the United States of America, July 2006

      Indigenous Peoples interventions, presentations, statements, reports, etc.

      List of Issues and Questions for the periodic review by the United Nations Human Rights Committee of the United States of America, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, submitted by IITC et al, January 19, 2019

      IITC Press Release: Final Conclusions and Recommendations on the United States Issues by the United Nations Human Rights Committee call for Measures to Protect Sacred Areas, March 28th, 2014

      US Questioned by UN Human Rights Committee on Implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Free Prior and Informed Consent and the Protection of Sacred, IITC Press Release 2014 

      IITC Press Release, March 11, 2014 : US Review by UN Human Rights Committee to be live web cast from Geneva March 13 – 14, 2014

      UPDATE to the Indigenous Peoples Consolidated Alternative Report Submitted by International Indian Treaty Council et al. Review of the United States by Human Rights Committee March, 2014

      IITC Press Release: “Consolidated Indigenous Peoples Shadow Report submitted for UN Human Rights Committee review of the US September 13th, 2013”

      Consolidated Indigenous Peoples Alternative Report Submitted September 13th, 2013 for the Review of the United States in October 2013

      “United States’ Compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Suggested List of Issues to Country Report Task Force on the United States, submitted December 28, 2012 by the International Indian Treaty Council and the United Confederation of Taino People

      UN Human Rights Committee List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the fourth periodic report of the United States of America (CCPR/C/USA/4), adopted by the committee at its 107th session, 11 – 28 March 2013

      Information for the Joint Indigenous Peoples Shadow report requested by IITC by August 15th, 2013 for the UN Human Rights Committee October 2013 review of the United States’ compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights addressing Protection of Sacred Lands and Areas, Cultural Rights and the Right to Free Prior and Informed Consent

      United States’ Compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Suggested List of Issues for 2013 Review of the United States by the Human Rights Committee, Submitted December 28, 2012 by the International Indian Treaty Council and the United Confederation of Taino People

      IITC Parallel (Shadow) Report for the UN Human Rights Committee review of the United States 2nd and 3rd periodic reports, June 15th, 2006

      Online Resources

      Concluding observations on the combined fourth and fifth periodic reports of Mexico 2015

      Observaciones finales sobre los informes periódicos cuarto y quinto combinados de México 2015

      Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/Pages/CRCIndex.aspx

      Indigenous Peoples interventions, presentations, statements, reports, etc.

      The United Nations Committee On The Rights Of The Child Finds Violations Of Environmental Health Impacting Indigenous Children In Rio Yaqui, Sonora, Mexico

      The United Nations Committee On The Rights Of The Child Finds Violations Of Environmental Health Impacting Indigenous Children In Rio Yaqui, Sonora, Mexico

      The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) Attends the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child to Address Mexico’s Lack of Compliance with the Convention, May 2015

      El Consejo Internacional De Tratados Indios (citi) Asiste Al Comité De Los Derechos Del Niño De La Onu Para Abordar La Falta De Cumplimiento Con La Convención Por Parte De México, Mayo De 2015

      Executive Summary: Consideration Of The Fourth And Fifth Periodic Reports Of Mexico Under Article 44 Of The United Nations Convention On The Rights Of The Child: Indigenous Peoples Alternative Report, April 15, 2015

      Resumen Ejecutivo: En Consideración De Los Inormes Periodicos Cuarto Y Quinto De México Bajo El Artículo 44 De La Convención Sobre Los Derechos Del Niño De Las Naciones Unidas, Informe Alternativo De Los Pueblos Indígenas, 15 De Abril De 2015

      Consideration Of The Fourth And Fifth Periodic Reports Of Mexico Under Article 44 Of The United Nations Convention On The Rights Of The Child: Indigenous Peoples Alternative Report, April 15, 2015

      Anexo: INFORME ALTERNATIVO DE LOS PUEBLOS INDÍGENAS, 15 de abril de 2015, CRC

      Online Resources:

      UNSRIP Report to the General Assembly - 2022 Study on Protected Areas

      Oral Statement by Mr. José Francisco Cali Tzay, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, 24 June 2021

      UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

      United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Calls for Input on COVID-19 Impacts on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2020

      Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous People, Vicky Tauli Corpuz, 2018

      Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples James Anaya: Extractive industries and Indigenous Peoples, July 1, 2013

      Informe del Relator Especial sobre los derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas James Anaya: Las industrias extractivas y los Pueblos Indígenas, el 1 de Julio de 2013

      Photos from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples James Anaya visits to Alaska and South Dakota.

      “The situation of Indigenous Peoples in the United States of America”, report of the Special Rapporteur’s visit to the United States, 2012

      UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ Country reports

      UN Special Rapporteur’s Statement upon conclusion of the visit to Canada, October 15, 2013

      Informe de la Relatora Especial sobre los derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas, Consejo de Derechos Humanos 39º período de sesiones

      Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights Council 39th session

      Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, to the UN Human Rights Council “The situation of indigenous peoples in the United States of America”, August 30, 2012

      Indigenous Peoples interventions, presentations, statements, reports, etc.

      Urgent Action Submission: Ceremonial Centers, Guatemala, May 2022

      Urgent submission addresses the persecution of Indigenous Human Rights Defender Mr. Nicholas Tilsen by the United States of America and its subsidiary government the state of South Dakota, United States, 25 Sept. 2020

      Special Rapporteur submission: Request for urgent response to Treaty Violations by the United States government and its current President Donald Trump, 10 July 2020

      COVID 19 and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: The International Indian Treaty Council calls for Rights-based Responses and Denounces On-going Human Rights Violations, 2020

      IITC Press Release: UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples James Anaya visits Leonard Peltier in Prison, January 24, 2014

      IITC response to SR on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples questionnaire on Extractive Industries and Development Projects in or near Indigenous Peoples lands, May 3, 2011

      Communication and Appeal for Urgent Action on the desecration and destruction of the Sacred Shellmound located at Sogorea Te (Glen Cove, California, USA) , submitted by IITC April 26th 2011 to Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief; and the Independent Expert in the Field of Cultural Rights

      IITC Submission to the SR on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on his country visit to the US, “United States Environmental Toxics Policies: Violating the Human Rights and Threatening the Survival of Indigenous Peoples”, presented by Andrea Carmen, April 21, 2012

      IITC Submission to the SR on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on his country visit to the US, The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples “Treaties and the Right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent: A Framework for Reparations, Restitution and Redress of Treaty Violations in the United States”, presented by William A. Means, Sinte Gleska University, South Dakota, May 1, 2012

      IITC submission to the SR on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on his country visit to the US, “The Power of our Women” , Presentation April 28th by Sewa Carmen, IITC and Chickaloon Village Youth Speaker (age 14)

      IITC Submission to the SR on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on his country visit to the US, “American Indian Religious and Spiritual Practices in the United States Prison System”, presented April 26th 2012 by Lenny Foster, Tucson Arizona

      IITC Submission to the SR on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on his country visit to the US, Discrimination Against Indigenous Peoples in the US, presented May 3rd, 2012 by Band Chief Rodney Factor, Tulsa Oklahoma

      Urgent Action submission to the SR on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, San Francisco Magu, Mexico, December 21, 2012 / Acción Urgente al relator especial para los derechos de los pueblos indígenas por el pueblo de San Francisco Magu, México, el 21 de diciembre de 2012

      Cover letter from IITC, Urgent Action submission to the SR on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, San Francisco Magu, Mexico, January 3, 2013

      UN Human Rights Council renews the mandate and changes the name of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, IITC Press release September 10, 2010

      Carta urgente de parte de la comunidad Ngäbe Buglè, Panama, comicado al relator de los derechos de los Pueblos Indigenas por CITI, 6 de febrero de 2012

      Online Resources:

      IITC Report to the EMRIP - Study on Treaties, Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements, January 31, 2022

      Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Webpage

      UN HUMAN RIGHTS HEARING ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ RIGHTS IN THE CONTEXT OF BORDERS, MIGRATION, AND DISPLACEMENT HELD ON THE TOHONO O’ODHAM NATION, 26 Jan. 2019 // AUDIENCIA DE DERECHOS HUMANOS DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS SOBRE LOS DERECHOS DE LOS PUEBLOS INDIGENAS EN EL CONTEXTO DE FRONTERAS, MIGRACION Y DESPLAZAMIENTO EN LA NACION TOHONO O’ODHAM, 26 DE ENERO DE 2019

      EMRIP Study: Right to health and indigenous peoples with a focus on children and youth, 10 August 2016

      Report of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on its ninth session, Geneva, 11-15 July 2016

      Access to justice in the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples: restorative justice, indigenous juridical systems and access to justice for indigenous women, children and youth, and persons with disabilities, Study by the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, June 25, 2014

      El acceso a la justicia en la promoción y protección de los derechos de los pueblos indígenas: justicia restaurativa, sistemas jurídicos indígenas y acceso a la justicia para las mujeres, los niños, los jóvenes y las personas con discapacidad indígenas,  Estudio del Mecanismo de expertos sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas, 25 de abril de 2104

      Compilation of Conclusions and Recommendations from the United Nations Seminars on Treaties, Agreements and other Constructive Arrangements, Conference Room Paper 1, 7th session, UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

      Indigenous Peoples submissions to EMRIP Seminar on Access to Justice for Indigenous Peoples including Truth and Reconciliation Processes, Columbia University, February 27 – March 1, 2013

      Access to justice in the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, Study by the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, April 29, 2013

      Acceso a la justicia en la promoción y protección de los derechos de los pueblos indígenas, Estudio del Mecanismo de expertos sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas, 29 de abril de 2013

      Report of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Progress report on the study on indigenous peoples and the right to participate in decision-making (A/HRC/EMRIP/2010/2) (17 May 2010)

      IITC Report - The Militarization of Indigenous Lands, Feb. 2022

      https://www.iCITI - Estudio Sobre la Militarización de las Tierras Indígenas un Enfoque Centrado en los Derechos Humanos, Feb. de 2022

      IITC EMRIP Submission on Militarization, February 2022

      EMRIP 16

      IITC EMRIP Intervention Item 3 Militarization of Indigenous Peoples July 2023

      IITC EMRIP Intervention Item 5 Interactive Dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development July 2023

      IITC EMRIP Item 6 Country Engagement Maaso Kova July 2023

      IITC EMRIP Intervention Agenda Item 7 International Decade of Indigenous Languages July 2023

      IITC EMRIP Item 9 Interactive dialogue July 2023

      IITC EMRIP Intervention Agenda Item 10 Follow up on past studies July 2023

      CITI Intervencion Tema 3 discurso sobre militarizacion MEDPI julio 2023 2023

      CITI intervencion tema 9 Dialogo Interactivo MEDPI julio 2023

      EMRIP 13

      UN EMRIP 13th session. Consultation with North America and Africa regions, Dec. 1, 2020. Intervention by Andrea Carmen, Executive Director, IITC

      EMRIP 12

      Programa provisional anotado, Mecanismo de Expertos 2019

      Annotated provisional agenda, EMRIP 2019

      Indigenous peoples’ rights in the context of borders, migration and displacement, EMRIP Study 2019

      EMRIP 12th session Programme of Work 2019

      Agenda Item 6: Statement by the IITC, July 16, 2019, presented by Vice-Chairman Peter Yucupicio, Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona 

      Joint Statement under agenda item 6: Country engagement. Delivered by Per-Olof Nutti on behalf of the Sámi Parliament in Sweden and The Sámi Council, 2019

      IITC Intervention, Future Work of the EMRIP and Proposals for the Human Rights Council, July 18, 2019

      Indigenous Peoples interventions, presentations, statements, reports, etc.

      UN EMRIP 11th session, 9 – 13 July 2018 Agenda Item 4: Study and Advice on Free Prior and Informed Consent, IITC Intervention, presented by International Chief for Treaties 6, 7 and 8 Wilton Littlechild

      EMRIP Statement: 4th Session of the Subsidiary Committee of the Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, Paris, Sept. 2016, Read on behalf of EMRIP by Andrea Carmen, IITC

      Agenda Item 7: The Sustainable Development Goals and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 9th session, July 11th – 15th , 2016, United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

      Intervention on Agenda Item 5, 11-15 July 2016, Study on the Right to Health, UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

      The Right to Health and Indigenous Peoples: Children and Youth, IITC Submission to EMRIP, 11-15 July 2016

      IITC Responses to the “Questionnaire to States, Indigenous Peoples and other stakeholders on the review of the mandate of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” March 2016

      The Right to Health and Indigenous Peoples, IITC Submission, February 21-22, 2016

      Submission to the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Eighth session, July 20 – 24, 2015, Agenda Item 3 (a): Follow up to Outcome of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples

      Submission to the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Eighth session, July 20 – 24, 2015, Agenda Item 5: Post 2015 development agenda and Indigenous Peoples’ rights

      Submission to the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Eighth session, July 20 – 24, 2015, Agenda Item 4: Panel Discussion on Indigenous Peoples Human Rights in relation to business enterprises

      Submission to the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Eighth session, July 20 – 24, 2015, Agenda Item 7: Study and Advice on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples with respect to their Cultural Heritage

      Report Of The Open-ended Meeting Of Indigenous Peoples On The Follow-up To The World Conference On Indigenous Peoples, A/hrc/emrip/2015/crp2, 10 July 2015 — Reunión De Composición Abierta De Los Pueblos Indígenas Sobre El Seguimiento De La Conferencia Mundial De Los Pueblos Indígenas (cmpi), A/hrc/emrip/2015/crp2, 10 De Julio De 2015

      Additional Information for the EMRIP Study on Cultural Heritage on the role of museums and the need for an international protocol for International Repatriation of Cultural and Spiritual Items and human remains, March 10, 2015

      Intervention: Item 2, Panel on the Post 2015 Sustainable Development Goals. UN EMRIP 7th Session. Submitted by International Indian Treaty Council

      Intervention: Item 3, The World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and the Zero-outcome document. UN EMRIP 7th Session. Submitted by International Indian Treaty Council

      Intervention: Item 5, Continuation of the study on access to justice in the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples. UN EMRIP 7th Session. Submitted by International Indian Treaty Council

      Intervention: Item 7, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. UN EMRIP 7th Session. Submitted by International Indian Treaty Council

      Submission: Agenda Item 9, The Impacts of Historical Grievances and Claims and Today’s Solutions. EMRIP Seminar on Access to Justice for Indigenous Peoples including Truth and Reconciliation Processes, 2013

      Submission: The Normative Framework provided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for Access to Justice, Redress, Restitution and Non-recurrence regarding violations of rights affirmed in Treaties between Indigenous Nations and States. EMRIP Seminar on Access to Justice for Indigenous Peoples including Truth and Reconciliation Processes, 2013

      Submission: Agenda Item 9, The Impacts of Historical Grievances and Claims and Today’s Solutions. EMRIP Seminar on Access to Justice for Indigenous Peoples including Truth and Reconciliation Processes, 2013. Co-Sponsors: International Indian Treaty Council, National Native American Boarding School Healing Project

      Intervention: Agenda Item 5, EMRIP Study on the Access to Justice. UN EMRIP 6th Session. Co-sponsors: International Indian Treaty Council, National Native American Boarding School Healing Project

      Intervention: Agenda Item 3, The World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. UN EMRIP 6th Session. Submitted by International Indian Treaty Council

      Intervention: Item 4: Follow-up to thematic studies and advice. 6th Session, UN EMRIP. Co-sponsors: International Indian Treaty Council, Native Youth Sexual Network

      Statements and calls for Action by Indigenous Peoples
      Statements and calls for Action by Indigenous Peoples

      IITC Letter to Biden Administration for Leonard Peltier, 2021

      IITC Letter to Congressional Native American Caucus for Leonard Peltier 2021

      BASF must take action to address NorNickel’s violations: Open response letter to BASF

      Global civil society and Indigenous Peoples call for the recognition of the right to a healthy environment, 10 Sept. 2020

      IITC Letter to TMT Board Members Regarding Mauna Kea 2019

      IITC Call to Action Regarding U.S. Detention of Children 2018 // CITI Llamado a la acción con referencia a la detención de niños por parte de E.E.U.U. 2018

      No. 15-1874 in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, Pro-Football, Inc., Plaintiff and Appellant v. Amanda Blackhorse, Marcus Briggs-Cloud; Phillip Gover; Jillian Pappan; Courtney Tsotigh, Defendants and Appellees, United States of America, Intervenor-Appellee, 2016

      IITC and Nation of Hawaii call for International Support to Stop Desecration of Mauna Kea, 2015

      Urgent Action on Behalf of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance and it members and associates, 21 August 2006

      Attorneys seek clemency for Leonard Peltier, March 15, 2016

      IITC Letter for Executive Clemency for Leonard Peltier, March 3, 2016

      IITC Urgent UN Communication for Otomi HR Defenders // CITI Comunicación Urgente a la ONU para los Defensores de DH Otomí

      SATIIM Press Release: The Belize Court of Appeals upholds land rights for 38 Mayan communities in Belize on July 25th 2013

      Nota de Presna de SATIM: La Corte de Apelaciones de Belice se reafirmó los derechos consuetudinarios a la tierra de 38 comunidades Mayas en Belice el 25 de Julio de 2013

      Declaration of the Sacred Tus Us (Burney Falls) April 28th 2013


      A Focus on Standing Rock & #NoDAPL

      Letter to Mayor de Blasio, Divest from DAPL, February 13, 2017

      Special Rapporteurs Response on Standing Rock, September 21, 2016

      Special Rapporteurs Response on Standing Rock, November 11, 2016

      US Response to Special Procedures Mandate Holders Re: Standing Rock, December 9, 2016

      IIPFCC in solidarity with Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

      El FIPICC manifiesta su solidaridad con la tribu Sioux Standing Rock

      IITC Press release: Standing Rock, October 28, 2016

      CITI – Comunicado de prensa – Standing Rock, 28 de octubre de 2016

      Standing Rock Invitation to Special Rapporteur, September 20, 2016

      Remarks of Chairman Dave Archambault II before the United Nations Human Rights Council, September 2016

      IITC Resolution in support of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Nations at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation

      CITI – Resolución en apoyo de las Naciones Lakota, Dakota y Nakota de la Reservación Sioux Standing Rock

      Statement from UNPFII on Standing Rock, August 31, 2016

      Dakota Access pipeline protests: UN group investigates human rights abuses, October 31, 2016

      Standing Rock Sioux Testifies About DAPL Before United Nations in Geneva

      Report of Grand Chief Edward John on his official visit to Standing Rock as an expert member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Oct. 28 – 31, 2016.

      Report of Roberto Borrero, IITC, on the Oct. 28 – 31 visit to Standing Rock with Grand Chief Ed John as a human rights observer with ECOSOC General Consultative Status

      IITC Press Release: UN Expert Grand Chief Edward John on official visit Standing Rock, October 28, 2016

      Resolución en apoyo de las Naciones Lakota, Dakota y Nakota de la Reservación Sioux Standing Rock

      IITC Resolution on Standing Rock 2016

      Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and IITC Urgent Communication to United Nations, August 18, 2018

      Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and IITC file Urgent Communication with the United Nations Citing Human Rights Violations Resulting from Pipeline Construction

      The UN Human Rights Council
      The UN Human Rights Council

      Online Resources:

      Website: UN Human Rights Council

      States must stop exporting unwanted toxic chemicals to poorer countries, says UN expert, 2020

      Resolución del Consejo de Derechos Humanos, A/HRC/42/L.24, Los derechos humanos y los pueblos indígenas, Tema 3 de la agenda, 42º período de sesiones, 9 a 27 de septiembre de 2019

      HRC Resolution A/HRC/42/L.24, Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples, Agenda item 3, Forty-second session, 9–27 September 2019

      Programme of work, 24th session, UN Human Rights Council

      UN Human Rights Council resolution A/HRC/18/L.22 creates new Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, September 26, 2011


      Indigenous Peoples       interventions, presentations, statements, reports, etc.

      Intervention to the United Nations Human Rights Council, 47th Session, 21 June to 13 July 2021, Agenda Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, 28 June 2021

      ANNUAL PANEL ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, Half-day panel discussion on the rights of indigenous peoples, on the theme Protection of indigenous human rights defenders, 23 September 2020

      PANEL ANUAL SOBRE LOS DERECHOS DE LOS PUEBLOS INDÍGENAS, panel de medio día sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas y la Protección de los defensores de los derechos humanos indígenas, 23 de septiembre 2020

      Agenda Items 3 & 5: Interactive dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 24 September 2020

      Temas 3 y 5 del Programa: Diálogo interactivo con el Mecanismo de expertos sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas (EMRIP), 24 de septiembre de 2020

      Agenda Items 3 and 5: Interactive dialogue with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 24 September 2020

      Temas 3 y 5 del programa: Diálogo interactivo con el Relator Especial de las Naciones Unidas sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas, 24 de septiembre de 2020

      Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on hazardou substances and wastes. 2020, Intervention by the International Indian Treaty Council, presented by Rochelle Diver

      Tema 3: Diálogo interactivo con el Relator Especial sobre sustancias y desechos peligrosos. Intervención 2020 del Consejo Internacional de Tratados Indios, presentada por Rochelle Diver

      IITC submission for the Consultation with Indigenous Nations, Peoples and Tribes in preparation for United Nations Human Rights Council’s 2nd Universal Periodic Review of the United States, April 24th, 2014: “The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and the Right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent: A Framework for Restitution and Redress of Treaty Violations”Areas, IITC Press Release March 17th, 2014

      24th Session of the Human Rights Council Item 6 – Consideration of UPR Report of Canada Presented by Ermineskin First Nation Counselor Brian Lee, International Indian Treaty Council, September 19, 2013

      United Nations Human Rights Council 24th Session, September 9 – 27, 2013 Half-day Discussion on Indigenous Peoples, IITC Intervention on the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and Treaties presented by Ronald Lameman

      United Nations Human Rights Council 24th Session, September 9 – 27, 2013 Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, IITC Intervention on Access to Justice for Indigenous Peoples presented by Leonard Foster

       

      Submissions to diverse UN Mandate holders

      IITC and Confederacy of Treaty 6 Firs nations hosts visit of UN Rapporteur on Right to Food with Indigenous Peoples in Canada, Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation, May 13th, 2012

      International Indian Treaty Council Communication in conjunction with the visit of the UN Special on Right to Food country visit to Mexico, June 17th, 2011

      Submission to the Human Rights Council Independent Expert on the human right to water, Ms. Catarina de Albuquerque by the International Indian Treaty Council, NGO in Special Consultative Status to the UN Economic and Social Council April 7, 2010

      SUBMISSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN TREATY COUNCIL PURSUANT TO HRC RESOLUTION 29/15 REGARDING THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE RIGHT OF INDIGENOUS EPOPLES TO THE ENJOYMENT OF THE HIGHEST ATTAINABLE STANDARD OF HEALTH SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF THE

      Human Rights Training and Capacity-Building
      Human Rights Training and Capacity-Building

      Contact IITC to schedule a training

      Human Rights Capacity-Building & Training Program brochure


      Training Materials
      Gold, Greed, and Genocide


      Fact Sheets & Brochures

      Folleto del CITI sobre el CLPI 2021

      IITC FPIC Handout 2021

      Submitting Human Rights Complaints / Presentando reclamaciones sobre violaciones de derechos humanos

      UPDATED: Using the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination to Hold States Accountable for Racial Discrimination, April 2014

      ACTUALIZADO: Uso de la Convención Internacional sobre la Eliminación de todas las formas de Discriminación Racial para responsabilizar a los Estados por la Discriminación Racial, abril de 2014

      Necessary Information for Complaints to Human Rights Bodies, May 2013

      Información Necesaria para las Comunicaciones A instancias de Derechos Humanos, mayo de 2013

      United Nations System Flowchart: Focusing on key human rights bodies where Indigenous Peoples can participate, July 2013

      Organigrama Naciones Unidas: Enfoque en Mechanismos de Derechos Humanos con Participación Indígena, julio de 2013

      Training Manual: Using The International Convention On The Elimination Of All Forms Of Racial Discrimination To Hold Countries Accountable At Home And Around The World. (v011513)

      Food Sovereignty and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

      La soberanía alimentaria y los derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas

      Information Update: The United Nations Committee on World Food Security

      Actualización de información: El Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial de las Naciones Unidas

      Training Manual: Food Sovereignty and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (v092713)

      Climate Change and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

      El Cambio Climático y los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas

      Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights and Climate Change (v103014)

      Los Pueblos Indígenas, Derechos Humanos y el Cambio Climático (v110714)

      UPDATED: Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals, September 2014

      ACTUALIZADO: Los Pueblos Indígenas y los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de las Naciones Unidas Después de 2015, septiembre de 2014

      NEW: Mercury in Dental Fillings: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Health, Your Children and the Environment, May 2014

      Nuevo: Los Pueblos Indígenas y los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de las Naciones Unidas Después de 2015, abril de 2014

      Mercury, Health and Indigenous Peoples, Jan. 2014

      Mercurio, Salud y Pueblos Indígenas, enero de 2014

      Pesticides and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Oct. 2013

      Los Plaguicidas y los derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas, octubre de 2013

      UN Permanent Observer Information Sheet, 2013

      Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples / Cómo garantizar la vigencia de la Declaración de la ONU sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas, May 2013

      UN Human Rights Conventions, Covenants, Declarations and Outcome Documents
      UN Human Rights Conventions, Covenants, Declarations and Outcome Documents

      United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

      Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas

      International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

      Convención Internacional sobre la Eliminación de todas las Formas de Discriminación Racial

      Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (No. 169)

      Convenio sobre pueblos indígenas y tribales (núm. 169)

      Universal Declaration of Human Rights

      Declaración Universal de Derechos Humanos

      International Covenant on Economic Social & Cultural Rights

      Pacto Internacional de Derechos Económicos, Sociales y Culturales

      International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

      Pacto Internacional de Derechos Civiles y Políticos

      Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

      Convención sobre la Eliminación de todas las Formas de Discriminación contra la Mujer

      International Convention on the Rights of the Child

      Convención sobre los Derechos del Niño

      International Convention for the Protection of the rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families

      Convención Internacional sobre la protección de los Derechos de todos los Trabajadores Migratorios y de sus Familiares

      World Conference on Indigenous Peoples

       

      Online Resources:

      World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, Global Coordinating Group

      World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, President of the General Assembly

      United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issue, Relevant Documents

      Alta Outcome Document – An Indigenous Global Consensus Document

      Watch Video

      Follow-up on the HLPM/World Conference on Indigenous Peoples

      General Assembly: Resolution A/72/436, Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 28 Nov. 2017

      Asamblea General: Resolución A/72/436, Derechos de los pueblos indígenas, 28 de noviembre de 2017

      IITC Submission on Indigenous Peoples Participation, April 8, 2016

      Consultations on the participation of Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations

      Report On The Discussion On Improving Emrip’s Mandate And Participation Of Indigenous Peoples’ Representative Institutions, March 3-5, 2015, Geneva, Switzerland

      Informe Sobre La Discusión De La Mejora Del Mandato Del Mecanismo De Expertos De La Onu Sobre Los Derechos De Los Pueblos Indígenas (medpi) Y La Participación De Las Entidades Representativas De Los Pueblos Indígenas, 3-5 De Marzo, 2015, Ginebra, Suiza

      Open-ended Meeting Of Indigenous Peoples On The Follow-up To The World Conference On Indigenous Peoples

      Modifying and Improving the Mandate of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, University of Arizona, Feb. 2015

      Modificar y mejorar el mandato del Mecanismo de Expertos sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas, Universidad de Arizona, Febrero de 2015


      Other Documents

      Outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, 15 Sep. 2014.

      Documento final de la reunión plenaria de alto nivel de la Asamblea General conocida como Conferencia Mundial sobre los Pueblos Indígenas, 15 de septiembre de 2014.

      Presentation – Roundtable 1, UN Action for Implementation of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. Statement by the International Indian Treaty Council, 23 Sep. 2014.

      Presentation – Interactive Panel on the UN Post 2015 Sustainable Development Goals. World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. Statement by the International Indian Treaty Council, 23 Sep. 2014.

      International Indian Treaty Council Statement, Discussion 1 – Implementation of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Interactive Hearing for the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, 17 Jun. 2014.

      International Indian Treaty Council, Assembly of First Nations, United Confederation of Taino People and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Statement, Discussion 2 – Indigenous peoples’ lands, territories, resources, oceans and waters, Interactive Hearing for the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, 17 Jun. 2014.

      International Indian Treaty Council Statement, Discussion 3 – Indigenous priorities for sustainable development, Interactive Hearing for the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, 18 Jun. 2014.

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