The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous peoples across the world experience the consequences of historical colonization and invasion of their territories, and face discrimination because of their distinct cultures, identities and ways of life. In recent decades, the international community has given special attention to the human rights situations of indigenous peoples, as shown by the adoption of international standards and guidelines, as well as by the establishment of institutions and bodies that specifically target these peoples’ concerns. The rights of indigenous peoples are further promoted by international and regional human rights mechanisms. (See Indigenous Peoples)

In this context, the Commission on Human Rights decided to appoint in 2001 a Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, as part of the system of thematic Special Procedures. The Special Rapporteur’s mandate was renewed by the Commission on Human Rights in 2004, and by the Human Rights Council in 2007. (See Mandate).

In the fulfillment of his mandate, the Special Rapporteur:

• Promotes good practices, including new laws, government programs, and constructive agreements between indigenous peoples and states, to implement international standards concerning the rights of indigenous peoples (See Promotion of good practices);

• Reports on the overall human rights situations of indigenous peoples in selected countries (See Country reports);

• Addresses specific cases of alleged violations of the rights of indigenous peoples through communications with Governments and others (SeeCommunications);

• Conducts or contributes to thematic studies on topics of special importance regarding the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples (SeeThematic studies).

The Special Rapporteur undertakes efforts to follow-up on the recommendations included in his or his predecessor’s reports in relation to the foregoing areas of work (See Follow-up of recommendations). Additionally, he reports annually on his activities to the Human Rights Council (See Annual reports).

• Resources:

  • UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • 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.
  • Photos from the 2nd Int’l Indigenous Women’s Environmental & Health Symposium
  • “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
    

• 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
• 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
• 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