The need to harmonize activities affecting indigenous peoples within the United Nations system 2012, para. 68

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Paragraph text: In spite of this recognition, the final text of the document was considered to be largely uninspiring and a disappointment to indigenous peoples for its failure to integrate a human rights approach adequately into environmental protection. For example, while the final text recognizes the importance of strong and effective legal and regulatory frameworks, policies and practices for the mining sector, including effective safeguards that reduce social and environmental impacts, as well as conserving biodiversity and ecosystems, it does not make any specific mention of the effect of mining activities on human rights generally or the rights of indigenous peoples in particular. The relative lack of focus on human rights in the outcome document was viewed by indigenous peoples as especially disappointing, considering that international, regional and national courts and human rights bodies are increasingly acknowledging environmental damage as a source of human rights violations and have established that States have a responsibility for environmental protection in the context of respect for human rights.

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Reference: SR Indigenous Peoples, Report to the UNGA (2012), A/67/301, para. 68.