A/HRC/45/34/Add.3 despite global recognition of the importance of mother tongue-based multilingual education. The high dropout rates among indigenous children perpetuate poverty and undermine national development indicators. In some countries, including Bangladesh, the Philippines and Timor-Leste, there is some government support for mother tongue-based multilingual education; in most countries in the region, however, there is no such education or its provision would require significant additional resources. Indigenous peoples need to be involved and consulted in the design of educational policies and educational materials. 67. Food insecurity, poverty and chronic malnutrition have serious impacts on the health of indigenous peoples in the region. In relation to health, the use of traditional medicine is widely relied upon. In most countries, however, culturally appropriate public medical services are hard to access and training opportunities are lacking for indigenous community health workers. In some countries, indigenous midwives and traditional health practitioners are criminalized. 68. The Special Rapporteur has raised concerns over the failure to provide health services in indigenous communities, for instance in the Indonesian Province of West Papua70 and in Malaysia,71 and over the grave consequences that such failure has had during epidemics. In relation to the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), additional information is contained in the Special Rapporteur’s thematic report to the General Assembly at its seventyfifth session.72 III. Conclusions and recommendations 69. Indigenous peoples in Asian countries continue to face discrimination and marginalization. Human rights violations stem from the lack of effective protection in domestic laws and policies regarding indigenous peoples’ rights over their traditional territories, lands and natural resources, as well as the failure to respect their rights to participate and to be consulted, in good faith, in decisions affecting them and to obtain their free, prior and informed consent. Land-grabbing and activities linked to largescale development projects (including the construction of hydroelectric dams), extractive industries, monocrop plantations and logging are increasing in the region, which in turn results in the massive displacement of indigenous peoples, the destruction of their environment and rising poverty. 70. The promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples and their traditional practices, are key to sustainable conservation, biodiversity and climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. For States to put into action their development pledge of leaving no one behind, the obligations towards indigenous peoples must be at the forefront and must be reflected in effective policy measures and in the effective allocation of resources. A. Self-determination, indigenous governance and justice systems 71. Strengthened autonomy and self-governance among indigenous peoples must be viewed as a part of nation-building. Implementation of these rights implies making changes in the governance of State authorities that will have a constructive impact on human rights compliance, the remedying of discrimination, marginalization and inequality and the building of more democratic, participatory and inclusive societies. Ultimately, it will enhance sustainable development for all. Indigenous governance systems that are still functioning should be recognized and strengthened. The use of indigenous languages in schools and in the courts should be supported. 72. The rights of indigenous peoples to be identified, to their lands, territories and resources and to self-determination must be respected and protected at all times. Consequently, States must ensure that indigenous people participate in decision- 70 71 72 IDN 3/2016. MYS 1/2020. A/75/185. See www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25893&LangID=E. 15