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Special Rapporteur Anaya’s first report to the UN Human Rights Council
9 October 2008
During the 9th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, Prof. James Anaya presented his first report on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples to the members of the Council on 9 and 10 September 2008.
Professor S. James Anaya was appointed on 26 March 2008 by the Human Rights Council for an initial period of three years. Prof. Anaya is James J. Lenoir Professor of Human Rights Law and Policy at the University of Arizona (United States).
In his report, Prof. Anaya highlights the importance of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, its implementation on all levels and the active, good faith engagement of indigenous peoples with States and the broader political and societal structures. He stresses that the Declaration represents an authoritative common understanding, at the global level, of the minimum content of the rights of indigenous peoples, upon a foundation of various sources of international human rights law.
 Read Professor Anaya’s report (doc)
Read more about the Special Rapporteur (web link)
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Anniversary of the Declaration
September 2008
September 13, 2008 marked the first anniversary of the UN General Assembly's adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This is an occasion to stress once again that indigenous peoples urgently require international affirmation and protection of their human rights and to call for the implementation of the Declaration by countries, international organizations, indigenous peoples themselves and others.
Read the article from the UN News Center: UN expert marks first anniversary of landmark declaration on indigenous peoples
Read an open letter to all political parties in Canada: Joint Statement for the anniversary of the Declaration (PDF)
Read the press release from Scoop.co.nz: The Maori Party
Read the NST Online articel: Police stop march for Orang Asli rights
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Bolivia: UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples passed as law in Bolivia
December 2007
As the first country in the world, Bolivia has adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as national law. National Law 3760, which is an exact copy of the UN Declaration, was passed in November.
 Read the story on Indian Country Today (web link)
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International: UN General Assembly adopts the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
September 2007
With an overwhelming majority of 143 votes in favour, only 4 negative votes cast (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United States) and 11 abstentions, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on September 13, 2007. The Declaration has been negotiated through more than 20 years between nation-states and Indigenous Peoples. Les Malezer, Chair of the Global Indigenous Peoples' Caucus, welcomed the adoption of the Declaration in a statement to the General Assembly: "The Declaration does not represent solely the viewpoint of the United Nations, nor does it represent solely the viewpoint of the Indigenous Peoples. It is a Declaration which combines our views and interests and which sets the framework for the future. It is a tool for peace and justice, based upon mutual recognition and mutual respect."
Read the IWGIA update on the adoption of the Declaration (pdf)
Read the statement of the International Indigenous Peoples' Caucus' (pdf)
Read the statement of the Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (pdf)
Read the statement of the UN Secretary General (pdf)
Read the statement of UN Special Rapporteur Rodolfo Stavenhagen (web link)
Read the joint NGO statement on the adoption of the Declaration (pdf)
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International: IP Caucus endorses adoption of Declaration with nine amendments
September 2007
The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will be considered by the United Nations General Assembly, before the end of its 61st session, most probably the vote will take place on Thursday September 13, 2007. The Steering Committee of the international Indigenous Peoples' Caucus has been informed and presented with an agreement negotiated between the Africa Group of States and the Co-sponsoring States for adoption of the Declaration including nine amendments. On behalf of indigenous peoples in all regions of the world, and after consultations in a broad global network of indigenous peoples' organizations, the Steering Committee of the global Indigenous Peoples' Caucus has decided to endorse adoption of the Declaration including the nine amendments.
Read Indigenous Peoples' Caucus statement from September 4, 2007 (pdf)
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International: Indigenous Caucus urges General Assembly President to encourage states to adopt the Declaration without further amendments
July 2007
In a letter addressed to the President of the UN General Assembly, the International Indigenous Peoples' Caucus calls for direct steps to be taken towards final adoption of the UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples' Rights. In particular, it is highlighted that the integrity of the Declaration should be protected and no further amendments be made.
Read the Indigenous Peoples' Caucus' letter to the GA President (PDF)
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International: Human rights organizations and the Special Rapporteur condemn efforts to block the Declaration
December 2006
International human rights organizations and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous People are outraged and dismayed by the decision of the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly to defer adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Read the statement by the International human rights organizations
Read the press release by the Special Rapporteur
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International: Interview with the Chairperson of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus
November 2006
The Chairperson of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus answers questions regarding the November 28 vote to delay the passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Read the interview
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Declaration: UN General Assembly fails to bring hope to indigenous peoples
November 2006
The process of adopting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples came to a halt on Tuesday November 27. A non-action resolution put forward by the Namibian delegation was supported by a majority in the UN General Assembly's Third Committee. This means that there will be no voting on the Declaration during the present plenary session of the General Assembly. The Declaration was formally adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in June and recommeded for adoption by the General Assembly. This non-action resolution is a serious set-back for the universal protection of indigenous peoples rights.
Read IWGIA's statement (English and French)
Read Indigenous Peoples' Caucus' statement
Read First Nations Leadership Council's statement
Read Inuit Circumpolar Council and Saami Council's statement
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International: NGOs urge the General Assembly to adopt the Declaration
November 2006
In a joint statement a number of NGOs state their full support to the resolution submitted by the Government of Peru and the co-sponsors, calling for the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Read the joint statement
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International: States trying to derail adoption of the Declaration
November2006
The Indigenous Peoples' Caucus have issued a communique in response to a report that a few States, including Botswana, will take procedural actions to derail the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Read the communique
Read the "Human Rights Response: Why a proposal to delay adoption should not be supported"
Read the indigenous peoples' call on states from Asia and the Caribbean not to support the procedural motion to defer the decision on the Declaration
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International: Africa proposes no action on adoption of the Declaration
November 2006
The African countries have decided to adopt a procedural resolution to take no action on the resolution in the Third Committee. The African group have given no reason for this action, but it is known that Botswana, Namibia and Nigeria are opposed to the Declaration and want to make changes to the text.
Read more
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International: The 3rd Committee to consider the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
November 2006
After almost two months of inter-governmental negotiations, it was agreed that the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples would have to be considered and approved by the 3rd Committee before being presented at the General Assembly plenary.
Read more about the Declaration and the discussion at the General Assembly
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International: Appeal to GA to adopt Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
October 2006
The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, the Chairperson of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Indigenous Peoples' Caucus appeal to the members of the General Assembly to adopt the Declaration without delay at its present session.
Read the appeal from the Special Rapporteur and the Permanent Forum
Read the appeal from the Indigenous Peoples' Caucus
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International: Declaration on IP rights to be discussed in UN General Assembly
October 2006
Indigenous representatives and global civil society organizations are pressing the 192-nation U.N. General Assembly to recognize indigenous peoples' rights to their land and resources.
Read the article
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International: Human Rights Council passes indigenous declaration
June 2006
Yesterday, June 29, the Human Rights Council adopted by a roll-call vote of 30 in favour to 2 against and 12 abstentions a resolution on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Read more about the adoption of the Declaration
Read the article on ABC News Online
Read the coverage on HR Council Media centre
Read the indigenous peoples' closing statement
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