Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Introduction

The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous

Peoples (EMRIP) was established by the Human Rights
Council, the UN’s main human rights body, in 2007
under Resolution 6/36 as a subsidiary body of the
Council.

Mandate

The Expert Mechanism provides the Human Rights

Council with thematic advice, in the form of studies and
research, on the rights of Indigenous peoples as directed
by the Council. The Expert Mechanism may also suggest
proposals to the Council for its consideration and
approval.

Expert Mechanism Studies

The Expert Mechanism completed its first study on

indigenous peoples’ right to education in 2009, along
with Advice – including recommendations – about how an
indigenous peoples’ right to education might be
realised. Its second study on indigenous peoples and the
right to participate in decision making was completed in
September 2011, which consists of a progress reportand
a final report, including Advice. In September 2012, the
Expert Mechanism submitted the following studies and
reports to the Human Rights Council:

 study on the role of languages and culture in the

promotion and protection of the rights and
identity of indigenous peoples
 a report on indigenous peoples and the right to
participate in decision making with a focus on
extractive industries; and
 a report on its questionnaire for states on best
practices regarding possible appropriate measures
and implementation strategies in order to attain
the goals of the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Human Rights Council requested the Expert

Mechanism to study access to justice in the promotion
and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples in
2012. The final study will be presented to the Human
Rights Council in September 2013.

Membership
 The Expert Mechanism is made up of five independent
experts on the rights of indigenous peoples. The experts
are appointed by the Human Rights Council which is to
give due regard to experts of indigenous origin as well as
to gender balance and geographic representation. More
information about the members of the Expert Mechanism
can be found here.

Annual Sessions of the Expert Mechanism

The Expert Mechanism holds an annual session, usually in

July, in which representatives from states, indigenous
peoples, indigenous peoples’ organisations, civil society,
inter-governmental organisations and academia take
part.

Information about participation in the annual sessions of

the Expert Mechanism, including accreditation, can be
found here. The Special Rapporteur on the rights of
indigenous peoples and a member of the Permanent
Forum on Indigenous Issues are invited to attend the
annual session of the Expert Mechanism to enhance
coordination and cooperation between the mechanisms.

Funding

Funding for representatives of indigenous communities

and organisations to attend the Expert Mechanism can be
sought from the Voluntary Fund for Indigenous
Populations.
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IPeoples/EMRIP/Pages/EMRIPIndex.aspx

Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples

Introduction

Indigenous peoples across the world

experience the consequences of
historical colonization and invasion of
their territories, and face
discrimination because of their distinct
cultures, identities and ways of life. In
recent decades, the international community has given
special attention to the human rights situations of
indigenous peoples, as shown by the adoption of
international standards and guidelines, as well as by the
establishment of institutions and bodies that specifically
target these peoples’ concerns. The rights of indigenous
 peoples are further promoted by international and
regional human rights mechanisms. (See Indigenous
Peoples)

In this context, the Commission on Human Rights decided

to appoint in 2001 a Special Rapporteur on the rights of
indigenous peoples, as part of the system of
thematic Special Procedures. The Special Rapporteur’s
mandate was renewed by the Commission on Human
Rights in 2004, and by the Human Rights Council in
2007. (See Mandate).

In the fulfillment of her mandate, the Special Rapporteur:

 Promotes good practices, including new laws,

government programs, and constructive
agreements between indigenous peoples and
states, to implement international standards
concerning the rights of indigenous peoples
(See Promotion of good practices);
 Reports on the overall human rights situations of
indigenous peoples in selected countries
(See Country reports);
 Addresses specific cases of alleged violations of
the rights of indigenous peoples through
communications with Governments and others
(See Communications);
 Conducts or contributes to thematic studies on
topics of special importance regarding the
promotion and protection of the rights of
indigenous peoples (See Thematic studies).

The Special Rapporteur undertakes efforts to follow-up on

the recommendations included in her predecessor’s
reports in relation to the foregoing areas of work.

Additionally, she reports annually on her activities to the

Human Rights Council (See Annual reports).
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IPeoples/SRIndigenousPeoples/Pages/SRIPeoplesIndex.aspx