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IV. GOOD PRACTICES BY FIELD PRESENCES OF THE OFFICE OF THE
UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
29. In the period 2007-2008, OHCHR field presences undertook activities to promote and
protect the rights of indigenous peoples in various countries, in cooperation with Governments
and indigenous peoples. The promotion of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples was a central element of these activities. Some good practices identified in
countries in different regions are described below.
30. The country office in Colombia developed with the Ministries of Justice and of the
Interior, in consultation with indigenous peoples, a guide on procedures for guaranteeing the
right to be consulted prior to any exploration and exploitation of mineral and/or other natural
resources on indigenous lands. The guide was developed in relation to the case of the U’wa
indigenous peoples and will serve as a tool for the Government in conducting consultation
processes and for indigenous peoples to claim their rights. Another good practice was the
consultation conducted by the country office in Bolivia with indigenous peoples prior to the
country visit of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental
freedoms of indigenous people.
31. The human rights adviser in Ecuador provided expert advice to the Ministry of Justice on a
draft law on indigenous justice and developed training modules on indigenous peoples’ rights for
the judiciary, among others. In the same area, the country office in Nepal produced a cartoon
series to raise awareness of indigenous communities on their right to have access to justice. In
Guatemala, the country office published a study on the access to justice for indigenous peoples
from the perspectives of customary law and the official judicial system. Prepared for indigenous
authorities and the judiciary, the study aims at determining the responses provided by both
judicial systems to indigenous demands for access to justice.
32. The country office in Nepal implemented a three-month project to map the situation of
indigenous peoples in order to develop its activities to promote and protect their rights. In
Liberia, the human rights adviser conducted a similar activity by preparing a specific report on
advancing the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities in Liberia, in which he described the
establishment of a task force put together by the Government and the United Nations Mission in
Liberia, with the aim of addressing the situation of indigenous peoples living in and working on
rubber plantations.
33. In Cameroon, an associate expert was deployed as a focal point for indigenous peoples and
minorities rights at the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa. As a result, a
specific programme for indigenous peoples has been developed. The programme has focused on
awareness-raising and capacity development activities, such as an open-door day on indigenous
peoples’ rights dedicated to the media, support for a regional information network for indigenous
peoples, as well as the first ever celebration of the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, in
cooperation with other United Nations agencies and the Government of Cameroon.
34. The dissemination of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
has been undertaken by several field presences. The country office in Nepal and the human
rights adviser in Ecuador have had the Declaration published in indigenous languages. The
regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean, in cooperation with the United Nations
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