Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples
Purpose of the mandate
Indigenous peoples across the world experience the consequences of historical colonisation and invasion of their territories. They face discrimination because of their distinct cultures, identities and ways of life, and are disproportionately affected by poverty and marginalisation. This mandate was created to:
- Promote 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;
- Make recommendations and proposals on appropriate measures to prevent and remedy violations of the rights of indigenous peoples;
- Report on the human rights situations of indigenous peoples around the world;
- Address specific cases of alleged violations of indigenous peoples’ rights.
About the mandate
In 2001, the Commission on Human Rights decided to appoint 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. It was most recently renewed in 2022 in resolution 51/16.
Read more about this mandate.
Current mandate holder
Francisco Cali Tzay was appointed Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples in March 2020 and took up the role on 1 May 2020. A Mayan Cakchiquel from Guatemala, he has represented indigenous peoples at the United Nations since the early 1980s, addressing human rights violations against the Indigenous Peoples in Guatemala and around the world.
Calls for Input
Latest thematic reports
Contact Information
Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples,
OHCHR-UNOG, 8-14 Avenue de la Paix, 1211 Geneve 10, Switzerland
Email: hrc-sr-indigenous@un.org
Former mandate holders
Ms. Victoria Tauli Corpuz (Philippines)
2014-2020
Prof. S. James Anaya
2008-2014
Dr. Rodolfo Stavenhagen
2001-2008
Activities
Statement at 22nd Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
New York, 18 April 2023
Statement: HRC Annual Panel on the rights of Indigenous Peoples
Geneva, 28 September 2022
Statement at HRC 51-Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur
Geneva, 28 September 2022
Statement at HRC Panel discussion on the negative impact of the legacies of colonialism on the enjoyment of human rights
Geneva, 28 September 2022
Videos
Message on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of UNDRIP
13 September 2020
Watch on Vimeo
Guatemala: Concern about indigenous leader’s conviction
20 December 2018
Watch on YouTube
Effects of Climate change on Indigenous Peoples
22 September 2017
Watch on YouTube
Conservation: a pretext to evict Indigenous peoples
22 September 2017
Watch on YouTube