Introduction

In its resolution 6/36, the Human Rights Council established the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a subsidiary body to assist the Council in the implementation of its mandate by providing it with thematic expertise on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, as requested by the Council. In the resolution, the Council established that the thematic expertise would focus mainly on studies and research-based advice, and that the Expert Mechanism might put forward proposals to the Council for its consideration and approval.

In September 2016, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 33/25 amending the mandate of the Expert Mechanism to provide the Council with expertise and advice on the rights of Indigenous Peoples as set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to assist Member States, upon request, in achieving the ends of the Declaration through the promotion, protection and fulfilment of the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The specific elements of the new mandate are set out in the resolution.

The Expert Mechanism held its sixteenth session in Geneva from 17 to 21 July 2023. The summary of the discussions set out in sections V to XIV below is not intended to be a verbatim record, but rather an overview of the main points raised by expert members and other participants. The individual contributions of all participants can be viewed on the webcast of the session.