Updated in May 2008

IWGIA welcomes the new Special Rapporteur Professor S. James Anaya

IWGIA would like to congratulate Professor James Anaya on his appointment as new United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people.

On Wednesday 26 March, the Human Rights Council adopted, during its 7th session, and without a vote, the list of candidates for special procedures mandate holders proposed by the President of the Council. The list includes the name of the new Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, Professor S. James Anaya.

Professor  Anaya has been recognized as one of the world's leading human rights advocates and legal scholars for many years. His advocacy and legal work on behalf of indigenous communities has garnered worldwide attention. Anaya has an extensive list of publications, many of which are considered the seminal writings in the field.

As United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya will investigate human rights violations against indigenous people and provide recommendations to the U.N. Human Rights Council and governments around the world to improve their situations.

Anaya, is the second person to be named to the position since it was created in 2001. The current mandate-holder, Prof. Rodolfo Stavenhagen, will continue holding the mandate until Prof. Anaya appointment becomes effective on May 1.

IWGIA is convinced that James Anaya will make full use of his expertise and experience in his new and important position, and we look forward to collaborating with Mr Anaya in the future.

    Read more on the OHCHR website
    Read the press release from the Saami Paliamentary Council
    See the list of new Special Rapporteurs

On 28 September 2007, the Human Rights Council, during its sixth session, decided to renew for an additional period of three years, the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous People.

Professor Rodolfo Stavenhagen was the first United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous People. He was appointed by the UN Commission on Human Rights in 2001.

Undoubtedly, the Special Rapporteur’s mandate has been a crucial instrument for making the situation of indigenous peoples more visible in the work of human rights bodies and international agencies, and has opened spaces for dialogue among indigenous peoples, states and international organizations.

Reinforcement of the mandate

The Council’s resolution reaffirms and reinforces the Special Rapporteur’s mandate as described in previous resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights, in areas such as the Special Rapporteur’s official visits, communications, and annual reporting.
 
The Council’s resolution further includes a number of important innovations in relationship to previous resolutions, including the following:

The resolution entrusts the Special Rapporteur with the follow-up of the recently adopted UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, along with other relevant international standards.

• The resolution invites the Special Rapporteur to work in close cooperation with the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and to participate in its annual session.
  
• The resolution invites the Special Rapporteur to identify, exchange and promote best practices in the promotion and protection of the rights  of indigenous peoples.
  
• The resolution calls the Special Rapporteur to pay a particular attention to the situation of indigenous women and children, and to apply a gender perspective in his/her work.