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Financialization of housing and the right to adequate housing 2017, para. 54
- Paragraph text
- Claims have recently been brought against the Dominican Republic and Panama, for example, on the basis that government decisions to cancel planned luxury developments in order to protect indigenous territories or environmental resources violated investors' rights under bilateral investment treaties. The Government of Mauritius is currently being taken to arbitration by a group of property development companies from the United Kingdom that invested in luxury real estate developments in Mauritius and are now seeking damages for a decision on the part of the Government to change its planning policy to restrict such developments.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- The Declaration contains a set of collective rights that are fundamental for the survival of indigenous peoples as distinct peoples, as underlined by international, regional and national law and jurisprudence. These are their right to self-determination and the related rights over their lands, territories and natural resources, on which the enjoyment of the whole panoply of their human rights depends. The Declaration states the “urgent need” to respect and promote the inherent rights of indigenous peoples, “especially their rights to their lands, territories and resources”. Therefore, it is a serious concern that the most common complaints brought to the attention of the Special Rapporteur are precisely violations of indigenous peoples’ collective rights to their lands, territories and resources.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 53
- Paragraph text
- As already mentioned, several countries have developed legal instruments and administrative and other measures to recognize indigenous rights to land and resources, including processes of land demarcation, title-clearing, dispute settlement, and others. Yet, even in those countries, implementation of legislation and policies is inadequate and indigenous peoples continue to be dispossessed of their traditional lands and resources and forcibly displaced, including by State-sponsored infrastructure, agribusiness, extractive projects and conservation measures. The consequences of such violations on indigenous peoples, as observed by the mandate holder in a wide range of countries across the world, continue to result in the expropriation of land, forced evictions, and the denial of self-governance, as well as discrimination against traditional livelihoods and loss of culture and spiritual sites.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 63
- Paragraph text
- Over the past decade, the mandate holder has received many complaints and requests for technical support regarding the implementation of the State duty to consult and obtain the free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples before the adoption of legal, administrative and policy measures that affect them. Commonly, the complaints received are related to the lack of effective implementation of the rights to consultation and consent in the context of plans for natural resource development and investment projects affecting indigenous peoples’ lands and resources.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Environment
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 15
- Original document
- Paragraph text
- Challenges remain regarding the interpretation of the content of the rights enshrined in the Declaration. Differences in interpretation continue to exist especially in relation to rights to lands and resources; the application of the duty of States to consult with and seek the free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples in matters that affect them; and the harmonization of State and customary indigenous governance and justice systems.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 56
- Paragraph text
- The mandate holder has provided numerous recommendations in country reports and in communications on measures and actions to be adopted to realize indigenous peoples’ land and resources rights. These include the development of an adequate legal framework in accordance with international human rights standards; the establishment of accessible, prompt and effective procedures to process land titles; the review of laws on expropriation; adequate mechanisms to resolve land disputes; ensuring effective protection from encroachment, including through early warning systems; and the prohibition of forced evictions. National and regional human rights courts have elaborated jurisprudence that provides a solid basis on the ways to realize indigenous peoples’ rights to their lands and resources, including appropriate remedies when those rights have been violated. The lack of compliance with such court decisions remains a concern.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 62
- Paragraph text
- Consultation and free, prior and informed consent are essential safeguards that help to realize the substantive human rights of indigenous peoples. Thus, adequate implementation of the State duty to consult and obtain consent must ensure realization of those fundamental rights. There are different ways in which consultation and consent can be operationalized and this is not just limited to the adoption of specific legislation. In cases when States decide to develop laws to implement this duty, an adequate process has to be established so that indigenous peoples fully participate in the drafting and adoption of such measures. The rights to consultation and consent should not be regarded as stand-alone rights, as these are closely linked to other rights such as the right to self-determination, the right to lands, territories and resources and the right to development.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 73
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur has also engaged with members of the Board and the secretariat of the Green Climate Fund to encourage them to adopt a safeguard policy which will protect the rights of indigenous peoples in the projects they fund. As a result of this effort and the active advocacy of indigenous peoples, in June 2017 the Green Climate Fund secretariat released a draft indigenous peoples’ policy which is currently the subject of consultations with indigenous peoples.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
State obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the context of business activities 2017, para. 12
- Paragraph text
- The obligation to respect economic, social and cultural rights is violated when States parties prioritize the interests of business entities over Covenant rights without adequate justification, or when they pursue policies that negatively affect such rights. This may occur for instance when forced evictions are ordered in the context of investment projects. Indigenous peoples’ cultural values and rights associated with their ancestral lands are particularly at risk. States parties and businesses should respect the principle of free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples in relation to all matters that could affect their rights, including their lands, territories and resources that they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired.
- Body
- Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights
- Document type
- General Comment / Recommendation
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Environment
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- Among the gains achieved after the Declaration came into being is the adoption of policies and guidelines on indigenous peoples by several agencies, programmes and funds and other intergovernmental bodies. In 2008, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) adopted its “Policy guide to housing of indigenous peoples in cities”. The United Nations Development Group adopted its “Guidelines on indigenous issues” in 2009, the same year as the International Fund for Agricultural Development adopted its policy of engagement with indigenous peoples. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations followed suit and adopted its policy on indigenous and tribal peoples in 2010. The United Nations Environment Programme finalized its “Policy guidelines on indigenous peoples” in 2012.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 79
- Paragraph text
- Protection and promotion of human rights, including the rights of indigenous peoples, is a universal responsibility. Since the adoption of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, there is a better understanding on how the private sector can meet this responsibility. Some policy initiatives have been adopted on the basis of the Declaration although, according to allegations received by the mandate holder, business activities, particularly those related to infrastructure building and extractive industries, are still far from respecting the rights enshrined therein. The role of international financial institutions and private investors in the promotion of the Declaration within their field of work is essential in this regard.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 80
- Paragraph text
- Development and conservation civil society organizations are also important actors. Their work should adhere to a human rights-based approach, by cooperating with indigenous peoples in achieving the ends of the Declaration and supporting their own self-determined commitments to respect the Declaration. It is positive that already in 2008, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the key global entity for the adoption of conservation policies on protected areas, explicitly pledged its commitment to implementing the Declaration in conservation work. However, as noted by the current mandate holder in her assessment of how conservation initiatives impact indigenous peoples’ rights, “considerable implementation gaps remain and new threats to human rights-based conservation are emerging”.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 43
- Paragraph text
- While there are some good practices of indigenous-led initiatives supported by States, it remains a serious concern that certain traditional livelihoods and indigenous economic practices are still disregarded and marginalized in many countries, in disregard of article 20 of the Declaration. This is the case with traditional pastoralism in eastern Africa, hunting and gathering, traditional agricultural practices such as shifting cultivation in South-East Asia, small-scale traditional fishing in many coastal areas, or reindeer-herding in the Arctic. Moreover, the contributions of these indigenous livelihoods and economic activities to the general economy are not adequately valuated and taken into account. The right of indigenous peoples to continue practising their traditional livelihoods is often violated in contrast with the protection of the rights and claims of those dominating the national economy.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Environment
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
State obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the context of business activities 2017, para. 48
- Paragraph text
- Finally, the Committee draws the attention of States parties to the challenges facing human rights defenders. The Committee has regularly come across accounts of threats and attacks aimed at those seeking to protect their own or others’ Covenant rights, particularly in the context of extractive and development projects. In addition, trade union leaders, leaders of peasant movements, indigenous leaders and anti-corruption activists are often subject to the risk of harassment. States parties should take all measures necessary to protect human rights advocates and their work. They should refrain from resorting to criminal prosecution to hinder their work, or from otherwise obstructing their work.
- Body
- Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights
- Document type
- General Comment / Recommendation
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 16
- Original document
- Paragraph text
- In this sense, the work of the mandate holder has sought to clarify standards contained in the Declaration, and other relevant existing human rights instruments, both in general and in specific contexts. For instance, after the adoption of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the previous Special Rapporteur analysed how indigenous peoples’ rights should be interpreted and implemented in the context of business activities affecting them, both in relation to State duties and companies’ responsibilities, and developed further in-depth work on the issue focused on the activities of extractive industries. The current Special Rapporteur has provided interpretations of standards in relation to economic, social and cultural rights and sustainable development and to investment agreements, as well as analyses of conservation activities and climate change measures.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Effects of pesticides on the right to food 2017, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- Traditional food sources of indigenous peoples are regularly found to contain high levels of pesticides. This is also true in the Arctic, because chemicals travel northward through long-range environmental transport in wind and water, bioaccumulating and biomagnifying in traditional foods such as marine mammals and fish. Indigenous peoples in the Arctic are found to have hazardous pesticides in their bodies that were never used near their communities, and suffer from above average rates of cancer and other diseases.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right to food
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Food & Nutrition
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 54
- Paragraph text
- In several regions, large-scale land-grabbing is escalating and producing serious human rights violations and direct attacks against indigenous leaders and community members who seek to defend their land rights. Indigenous peoples are being threatened, arrested and prosecuted and, in the worst situations, they become the victims of extrajudicial executions.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Environment
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 33
- Paragraph text
- The recognition of the pre-existing rights of indigenous peoples in the legal system of a country is generally a constructive step, particularly when it responds to the demands of indigenous peoples and is conducted in cooperation with them and with their full and effective participation. The mandate holder has consistently recalled that such recognition should be accompanied by a necessary review of all domestic legislation to ensure coherence with international human rights standards on the rights of indigenous peoples, particularly the Declaration. In some countries where legislation recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples has been adopted, there are glaring inconsistencies between such legislation and existing regulations concerning investments, extractive activities such as mining, infrastructure development, forestry, agriculture or conservation measures.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 39
- Paragraph text
- Within this context, it is essential to consider the link between poverty, in all its dimensions, and the violation of the right to self-determination. It is also essential to consider the centrality of the rights of indigenous peoples to their lands, territories and resources to ensuring their enjoyment of all their human rights. In this sense, it must be stressed that there has been more progress in the adoption of measures related to certain social and cultural rights than in those concerning effective recognition and respect of indigenous peoples’ rights to self-government and to their lands, territories and natural resources.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 95
- Paragraph text
- The enjoyment of the rights of the indigenous peoples to their lands, territories and resources is central for their survival as distinct peoples. This requires that special and urgent efforts to ensure that legal, policy and other measures fully recognize, protect and enforce these rights, including redress when violations have occurred. In this regard, relevant court decisions should be complied with.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 71
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur has engaged with the Conferences of the Parties and intersessional meetings of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on Climate Change to advocate for the recognition of the Declaration, the inclusion of safeguards and the adoption of the human rights-based approach. This is required in order to protect indigenous peoples’ rights and recognize the contributions of indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge in achieving the aims of the Conventions.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 13
- Paragraph text
- The obligation to provide obliges States to fulfil the rights to water and sanitation when individuals are unable, for reasons beyond their control, to realize these rights themselves by the means at their disposal. In this respect, it is crucial that the State sets specific regulations for the provision of services, inter alia, to homeless people, to poor nomadic communities, and to victims of situations of armed conflict, emergencies, natural disasters or climate change effects.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Poverty
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
State obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the context of business activities 2017, para. 17
- Paragraph text
- States parties should ensure that, where appropriate, the impacts of business activities on indigenous peoples specifically (in particular, actual or potential adverse impacts on indigenous peoples’ rights to land, resources, territories, cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and culture) are incorporated into human rights impact assessments. In exercising human rights due diligence, businesses should consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous peoples concerned through indigenous peoples’ own representative institutions in order to obtain their free, prior and informed consent before the commencement of activities. Such consultations should allow for identification of the potentially negative impact of the activities and of the measures to mitigate and compensate for such impact. They should also lead to design mechanisms for sharing the benefits derived from the activities, since companies are bound by their duty to respect indigenous rights to establish mechanisms that ensure that indigenous peoples share in the benefits generated by the activities developed on their traditional territories.
- Body
- Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights
- Document type
- General Comment / Recommendation
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Environment
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 55
- Paragraph text
- The nature of the allegations received by the mandate holder indicates an increase in violence against indigenous peoples when they defend their basic human rights, including their rights to lands and resources. Within this context, the use of anti-terrorist legislation, the terming of human rights defence as a criminal activity, and impunity when crimes against indigenous peoples are committed remain very serious concerns. In the past 10 years the mandate holder has addressed, often together with other special procedures mandate holders, many cases of violence against indigenous peoples, their leaders and representatives. This has been undertaken through the communications procedure and the release of public statements. The mandate holder has also sought to address these situations by engaging the Governments in constructive dialogues and by undertaking working visits to examine the issues in more depth. The Special Rapporteur intends to develop further research on this issue but would like to emphasize that the underlying reason for the key problems seen in these cases is the lack of observance of indigenous land, natural resources and related rights recognized in the Declaration and other human rights instruments.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 30
- Paragraph text
- He also had the opportunity to draft a number of joint communications with other mandate holders, including the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples and the Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 70
- Paragraph text
- Multilateral environmental agreements should also consider the Declaration as the framework when adopting decisions which affect indigenous peoples. Good decisions have emerged from the sessions of the Conferences of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and there are positive practices in terms of creating spaces for indigenous peoples within the bodies of these Conventions. For example, under the Convention on Biological Diversity there is a Working Group on article 8 (j) on the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities. Since 2007, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity has noted the existence of the Declaration in decisions and has adopted guidelines relevant for indigenous peoples. The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Climate Change, at its twenty-first session, recognized the need to strengthen knowledge, technologies, practices and efforts of local communities and indigenous peoples related to addressing and responding to climate change, and established a platform for the exchange of experiences and sharing of best practices on mitigation and adaptation in a holistic and integrated manner.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Effects of pesticides on the right to food 2017, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- In various countries, agribusinesses have taken over lands belonging to indigenous and minority communities and instituted pesticide-dependent intensive agriculture. As a result, communities may be forced to live in marginal situations alongside such farms, regularly exposing them to pesticide drift.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right to food
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Food & Nutrition
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 2017, para. 42
- Paragraph text
- In line with the Declaration, the mandate holder has consistently underlined the key right of indigenous peoples to decide their own development path, and to maintain their own systems and institutions, including in the fields of economic activities, education, health and activities related to multilateral environmental agreements. Therefore, priority should be given to supporting indigenous peoples’ own initiatives.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Environmental human rights defenders 2016, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- Reports also indicate that most individuals and groups facing threats are those who oppose land grabbing, extractive industries, the industrial timber trade and large-scale development projects. Indigenous communities and ethnic and racial minorities are particularly vulnerable (see A/HRC/24/41 and A/71/291). They are the most affected because the resources exploited are usually located in their lands; they lack legal protection while exerting strong and vocal opposition; many indigenous communities do not hold formal title over the land they inhabit; and their access to justice is limited.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Economic Rights
- Environment
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Environmental human rights defenders 2016, para. 79
- Paragraph text
- Similarly, it is important for different branches of Government beyond traditional units responsible for law enforcement to recognize the role of environmental human rights defenders in environmental protection. State entities responsible for other activities, including for the environment, resource development and indigenous peoples, must also be involved in the protection of the environment and environmental human rights defenders. States are encouraged to integrate a human rights-based approach into the work of environmental protection agencies and other relevant institutions. It is important that such institutions be given the resources and support required for effective environmental governance.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph