The Special Rapporteur on the Situation of the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous People
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.
Read more on the OHCHR website
See the list of new Special Rapporteurs
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New Special Rapporteur: Professor S. James Anaya Go to UNSR James Anaya's website which aims at facilitating communication with stakeholders such us indigenous peoples organizations, human rights defenders; civil society organizations, etc.
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