A/HRC/18/26
finalized and submitted for adoption by the Expert Mechanism, together with advice No. 2,
at its Fourth Session in July 2011.2
B.
1.
Special procedures and treaty bodies
Special procedures
58.
The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples carried out visits to
several countries, including New Zealand, Guatemala, Congo, New Caledonia (France),
Suriname and Costa Rica. As an example, OHCHR Guatemala supported the visit of the
Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples which focused on the duty to
consult. The visit generated a wide discussion on the subject of consultation within the
country, increased awareness in the private sector and prompted an initiative by the
Government to regulate this right. Further details on the activities of the Special Rapporteur
will be presented in his report to the Human Rights Council at its eighteenth session
(A/HRC/18/35).
59.
The Special Rapporteur also continued to contribute to the work of the Permanent
Forum and the Expert Mechanism through meetings and dialogue. He held separate
meetings with indigenous representatives to receive communications during the annual
sessions of both the Permanent Forum and the Expert Mechanism.
60.
During the reporting period, other special procedures mandate holders also looked
into the situation of indigenous peoples within their respective mandates. Thematic
mandate holders addressed the issue in various forms, such as in the recent report submitted
by the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences
(A/HRC/17/26) to the Human Rights Council, with a focus on multiple forms of
discrimination, including against indigenous women. In his report submitted to the General
Assembly at its sixty-fifth session (A/65/281), the Special Rapporteur on the right to food
explored threats posed by increasing pressures on land, paying particular attention to
indigenous peoples. In the report, the Special Rapporteur explored how States and the
international community could better respect, protect and fulfil the right to food by giving
increased recognition to land as a human right.
61.
Some thematic mandate holders also addressed indigenous rights during their
country visits. On the basis of her mission to Brazil in November 2010, the independent
expert in the field of cultural rights examined, inter alia, the cultural rights of indigenous
peoples (A/HRC/17/38/Add.1). The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of
human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism highlighted the fact that
atrocities committed during the internal armed conflict in Peru affected indigenous
communities and peasants and the lack of an inclusive policy with regard to indigenous
peoples (A/HRC/16/51/Add.3). The Special Rapporteur also highlighted the importance of
the collective reparations programme in Peru, which is an important means of addressing
the distinct needs of indigenous peoples affected by the internal armed conflict. In her end
of mission statement on 21 January 2011 in India, the Special Rapporteur on the situation
of human rights defenders expressed concern for those working for, inter alia, the rights of
Adivasis (tribal peoples).
2.
Treaty bodies
(a)
2
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
A/HRC/EMRIP/2011/2.
13
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