A/HRC/21/24 Contents Page I. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1–6 3 II. Need to enable participation by indigenous peoples’ representatives in the United Nations .............................................................................................. 7–13 4 A. Qualitative and functional differences between indigenous peoples’ organizations and non-governmental organizations........................................ 7–9 4 B. Difficulties faced by indigenous peoples’ organizations in meeting the criteria for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council ..... 10–11 5 C. Functional advantages of indigenous peoples’ participation in the United Nations ...................................................................................... 12–13 6 Existing procedural rules regulating indigenous peoples’ participation in United Nations bodies focused especially on indigenous peoples’ issues........... 14–30 6 A. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues ......................................................... 14–17 6 B. Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples................................ 18–22 7 C. Working Group on Indigenous Populations (1982–2006) ............................. 23 8 D. Commission on Human Rights working group on a United Nations draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples (1995–2006).................................................................................................... 24–27 8 United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations ......................... 28–30 9 Existing procedural rules regulating participation in United Nations bodies generally ................................................................................................................ 31–55 9 A. General Assembly ........................................................................................... 33–34 10 B. Economic and Social Council ......................................................................... 35–47 10 C. Human Rights Council ................................................................................... 48–54 12 D. Participation of indigenous peoples’ organizations in United Nations system organizations ....................................................................................... 55 13 V. Possible steps to promote the participation at the United Nations of recognized indigenous peoples’ representatives...................................................... 56–59 14 VI. Issues for consideration ........................................................................................... 60–65 15 A. Eligibility for accreditation as an indigenous peoples’ representative ............ 61–62 15 B. Body to determine the eligibility of indigenous peoples’ representatives for accreditation .................................................................... 63 15 C. Details of the process, such as information required to be submitted to the accrediting body ................................................................................... 64 16 D. Meaningful and effective participation by indigenous peoples’ representatives ............................................................................................... 65 16 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 66 16 III. E. IV. VII. 2 Paragraphs