UN Special Rapporteur on rights of indigenous peoples

UN Special Rapporteur on rights of indigenous peoples

The post of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples was created in 2001 (UN Commission on Human Rights resolution 2001/57).  The mandate was renewed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2007.

The Special Rapporteur is mandated to promote and protect the human rights and freedoms of indigenous peoples, in close cooperation with the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.  The Special Rapporteur reports on the overall human rights situations of indigenous peoples in selected countries and addresses specific cases of alleged violations of indigenous peoples through communications with governments and others.  The Rapporteur examines and reports on the practices of states and non-state entities impacting on the rights of indigenous people, and has produced reports that refer to the role and influence of companies with special attention to the rights of indigenous children and women.

The current UN Special Rapporteur is Ms. Victoria Tauli Corpuz, appointed in 2014 by the UN Human Rights Council. The Special Rapporteur from 2008 to 2014 was Professor S. James Anaya. 

Reports by the former Rapporteur relating to the private sector include:

- "Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya - Extractive industries and indigenous peoples", James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur - annual report to the UN Human Rights Council, 1 Jul 2013

- [Español] "Informe del Relator Especial sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas, James Anaya - Las industrias extractivas y los pueblos indígenas", James Anaya, Relator Especial de la ONU sobre pueblos indígenas, 1 julio 2013

- [Español] "Informe del Relator Especial sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas [en Argentina]", James Anaya, Relator Especial de la ONU sobre pueblos indígenas, 1 julio 2012 - incluye referencias a múltiples empresas privadas

-  [Español] "La situatión de los pueblos indígenas en Colombia: seguimiento a las recomendaciones hechas por el relator especial anterior", James Anaya, Relator Especial de la ONU sobre pueblos indígenas, 8 enero 2010

- "Observations on the situation of the Charco la Pava community and other communities affected by the Chan 75 hydroelectric project in Panama", James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur on indigenous people, 7 Sep 2009

- [Español] "Observaciones sobre la situación de la Comunidad Charco la Pava y otras comunidades afectadas por el Proyecto Hidroelétrico Chan 75 (Panamá)", James Anaya Relator Especial de la ONU sobre pueblos indígenas, 7 septiembre 2009

-  Report on the Promotion of all Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, including the Right to Development - see page 19: "The duty to consult and private company responsibility", James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur on indigenous peoples, 15 Jul 2009

- UN expert praises Nicaragua for formally confirming land ownership for indigenous group, James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur on indigenous peoples, 17 Dec 2008

For further details, see:

- Official UN site for UN Special Rapporteur on indigenous peoples

- Unofficial website of the Special Rapporteur

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