A/HRC/6/15 page 4 Introduction 1. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people was established by Commission on Human Rights resolution 2001/57. The Human Rights Council renewed the mandate in its resolution 6/12, which invites the Special Rapporteur to “examine ways and means of overcoming existing obstacles to the full and effective protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, in conformity with his/her mandate, and to identify, exchange and promote best practices” (para. 1 (a)) and to “submit a report on the implementation of his/her mandate to the Council in accordance with its annual programme of work” (para. 1 (j)). 2. In 2007 the Special Rapporteur submitted his second report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/4/32). He undertook an official mission to Bolivia from 25 November to 6 December 2007, on which a preliminary note is annexed to this report (annex 2). As in previous years, he continued to receive allegations of violations of the rights of indigenous peoples, which were transmitted in some cases to Governments and other relevant bodies in the form of urgent appeals or letters of allegation. A summary of these communications and of the replies received is annexed to the present report (annex 1). 3. The Special Rapporteur continued to compile information on the human rights situation of indigenous peoples in different parts of the world, kept track of relevant developments in the United Nations system, and participated in national and international expert seminars, technical advisory missions and other activities having a direct bearing on his mandate. Special mention should be made of activities in Asian countries (Cambodia, Nepal, the Philippines) organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and by diverse indigenous civil-society organizations. These activities, together with numerous communications received in recent years, served as the basis for some general considerations on the situation of human rights of indigenous peoples in Asia, which are presented as an annex to this report (annex 3). 4. The Special Rapporteur submitted his fourth report to the General Assembly at its sixty-second session in October 2007 (see A/62/286). He also attended the sixth session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (New York, May 2007) and takes note of the Forum’s recommendations to him for the planning of his future activities. The Special Rapporteur also attended the sixth session of the Human Rights Council (Geneva, September 2007), taking part in the discussion concerning the renewal of the mandate pertaining to the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, which was extended for a period of three years (resolution 6/12). 5. In response to a civil society invitation, he undertook a joint visit in September 2007 with the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, Mr. Miloon Kothari, to the communities directly affected by the construction of the La Parota hydroelectric project in the State of Guerrero (Mexico). The observations of the Special Rapporteurs on this situation and their recommendations aimed at safeguarding the rights of the communities concerned were set out in a communication addressed subsequently to the Government of Mexico.