A/HRC/24/26
D.
Activities of field presences
28.
OHCHR field presences carried out a range of activities on indigenous peoples’ rights at
the regional and country level, including monitoring, support for legal reform, technical
cooperation, capacity-building initiatives and awareness-raising. Some of these are highlighted
above in connection with UNIPP activities, and some selected additional activities are
described below. OHCHR field presences also consistently supported the work of special
procedures mandate holders and provided support for the country visits of the High
Commissioner.
29.
During the reporting period, OHCHR in Cambodia monitored 72 ongoing and
unresolved land disputes between affected communities, authorities and businesses in both
rural and urban areas. Interventions by OHCHR took the form of facilitation of dialogue, court
process monitoring, and legal and procedural advice. OHCHR contributed substantially to
research and advocacy on the granting and management of economic and other land
concessions, including those related to agro-industry, mining, hydropower dams and other
large-scale infrastructure projects, and the human rights impact of concessions, especially in
recognized protected areas and on indigenous peoples’ land.
30.
The Office has been working closely with the Ministry of Rural Development and
Ministry of Interior to promote indigenous peoples’ rights to land in Cambodia. In
collaboration with ILO and other development partners, OHCHR monitored efforts
countrywide for indigenous peoples to organize and be recognized as legal entities and apply as
a community for collective land title, as recognized in the domestic legal framework.
31.
OHCHR also contributed to advocacy more generally for indigenous peoples’ land
rights and cultural and linguistic rights with the use of the media (press statements,
publications and video). In order to promote more responsible business practices in the land
sector and to counter inadequate regulation and oversight of businesses operating in Cambodia,
OHCHR contributed to awareness-raising and capacity-building in the area of business and
human rights. OHCHR targeted civil society organizations, government, community
representatives and business actors to support their increased understanding of concepts in the
United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and their application in the
Cambodian context. OHCHR gave presentations at eight seminars and consultations for civil
society, reaching over 200 representatives of NGOs and indigenous communities countrywide.
OHCHR assisted with the development of a picture book on business and human rights for
indigenous communities, focusing on adequate consultation and compensation.
32.
With respect to OHCHR work in Africa, the Sub-Regional Centre for Human Rights
and Democracy in Central Africa (OHCHR Central Africa Regional Office – CARO)
organized two sensitization seminars on indigenous peoples for the Government and other
stakeholders in Cameroon to support the national process towards new legislation on the
protection of the rights of indigenous peoples in the country
33.
In 2012, the Regional Office for Central America worked closely with the
Ombudsperson in Panama on the establishment of an internal mechanism to monitor the human
rights situation of indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants. The proposal is the result of a
baseline study of the existing procedures, capabilities and resources of the NHRI to register
and monitor the human rights situation of indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants. The
NHRI committed to continuing efforts to further strengthen its capacities in this area with the
technical support of the Regional Office. It was agreed to draft intervention protocols for cases
of racial discrimination and human rights violations against indigenous peoples and Afrodescendant communities in 2013. During the year, NHRI staff awareness of the human rights
situation of indigenous and Afro-descendant populations was increased.
8
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