HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL'S EXPERT MECHANISM ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TO HOLD SECOND SESSION IN GENEVA FROM 10 TO 14 AUGUST

Human Rights Council's Expert Mechanism
on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 6 August 2009
BACKGROUND RELEASE


Special Event to be Held to Mark International Day of the World's Indigenous People

The Human Rights Council's Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will hold its second session in Geneva from 10 to 14 August at the Palais des Nations in Room XX – the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room.

The Expert Mechanism, a subsidiary body of the Human Rights Council composed of five independent experts, provides the Council with thematic expertise on the rights of indigenous peoples focusing mainly on studies and research-based advice. The experts may also suggest proposals to the Council for its consideration and approval.

During next week's meeting, the Expert Mechanism will hold an interactive dialogue with participants on its draft study on lessons learned and challenges to achieve the implementation of the right of indigenous peoples to education, with a view to presenting a completed study to the Human Rights Council at its 12th session (14 September to 2 October).

The five-day meeting will also provide an opportunity for participants to discuss developments in implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the General Assembly in September 2007, focusing on the implementation of the Declaration at the regional and national levels, as well as adjudication, remedies, repatriation, redress and compensation. The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, Professor S. James Anaya, will also attend the session and have separate meetings with participants.

Over 300 observers have already registered to attend the session of the Expert Mechanism. In addition to representatives of indigenous peoples from around the globe, the meeting will bring together representatives of States; UN agencies and bodies, such as the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; intergovernmental and regional organizations; national human rights institutions; academics and experts on indigenous issues; and non-governmental organizations.

As the onset of next week's meeting coincides with the International Day of the World's Indigenous People (9 August), the OHCHR and ILO will host a special event to mark the Day at the Armillary Sphere, following the opening of the Expert Mechanism's session, on 10 August from 11:30 to 13:00. In addition to short presentations by indigenous representatives and hosts, the celebration will include a selection of cultural performances by indigenous peoples from around the world.

Composition of Expert Mechanism

The Expert Mechanism is composed of five independent experts selected in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007. The five experts appointed by the President of the Council for the period 2008-2010 are: Ms. Catherine Odimba Kombe (Congo); Ms. Jannie Lasimbang (Malaysia); Mr. John Bernhard Henriksen (Norway); Mr. José Carlos Morales Morales (Costa Rica); and Mr. José Mencio Molintas (Philippines).

Background

The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was created by the Human Rights Council on 14 December 2007 through resolution 6/36. The Expert Mechanism is a subsidiary body of the Human Rights Council with a mandate to provide thematic expertise on the rights of indigenous peoples in the manner and form requested by the Council. The thematic expertise focuses mainly on studies and research-based advice. The mechanism may also suggest proposals to the Council, within the scope of its work as set out by the Council. The Expert Mechanism meets once annually for up to five days and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights provides assistance to the Expert Mechanism for the effective fulfilment of its mandate.

The Expert Mechanism held its first session from 1 to 3 October 2008 at which the group adopted a number of proposals transmitted to the Human Rights Council. Furthermore, members of the Expert Mechanism have contributed to a range of meetings related to their mandate, such as the Durban Review Conference, the annual session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and meetings devoted to the right to education.


For more information about the meeting and the Expert Mechanism please visit their webpage - http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/indigenous/ExpertMechanism/2nd/index.htm

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For use of the information media; not an official record