Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
(24 April-5 May 2017)
E/2017/43-E/C.19/2017/11
Economic and Social Council
Official Records, 2017
Supplement No. 23
ISSN 1728-0060
Note:
Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of letters combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document.
Contents
Chapter I
United Nations · New York, 2017
Report on the sixteenth session(24 April-5 May 2017)
E/2017/43-E/C.19/2017/11
Economic and Social Council
Official Records, 2017
Supplement No. 23
ISSN 1728-0060
Note:
Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of letters combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document.
Contents
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Chapter I
Matters calling for action by
the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention
A. Draft
decisions recommended by the Permanent Forum for adoption by the Council
1. The
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues recommends to the Economic and Social
Council the adoption of the following draft decisions:
Draft
decision I
International
expert group meeting on the theme “Sustainable development in territories of
indigenous peoples”
The Economic and Social Council decides
to authorize a three-day international expert group meeting on the theme
“Sustainable development in territories of indigenous peoples”.
Draft
decision II
Venue
and dates for the seventeenth session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Issues
The Economic and Social Council decides
that the seventeenth session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues shall
be held at United Nations Headquarters from 16 to 27 April 2018.
Draft
decision III
Report
of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on its sixteenth session and
provisional agenda for its seventeenth session
The Economic
and Social Council:
(a) Takes note of the
report of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on its sixteenth session;[1]
(b) Approves the provisional
agenda for the seventeenth session of the Permanent Forum as set out below:
1. Election of officers.
2. Adoption of the agenda and organization of
work.
3. Follow-up to the recommendations of the
Permanent Forum.
4. Implementation of the six mandated areas of
the Permanent Forum with reference to the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
5. Dialogue with indigenous peoples.
6. Dialogue with Member States.
7. Dialogue with the funds, programmes and specialized
agencies of the United Nations system.
8. Discussion on the theme “Indigenous
peoples’ collective rights to lands, territories and resources”.
9. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
10. Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the
rights of indigenous peoples and the Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
11. Follow-up to the outcome document of the
World Conference on Indigenous Peoples:
(a) Implementation of national action plans,
strategies and other measures;
(b) Ways to enhance the participation of
indigenous peoples at the United Nations;
(c) Implementation of the United Nations
system-wide action plan on indigenous peoples.
12. Future work of the Permanent Forum,
including issues considered by the Economic and Social Council and emerging
issues.
13. Provisional agenda for the eighteenth
session.
14. Adoption of the report of the Permanent
Forum on its seventeenth session.
B. Matters
brought to the attention of the Economic and
Social Council
2. The
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues has identified the proposals, objectives,
recommendations and areas of possible future action set out below and, through
the Economic and Social Council, recommends that States, entities of the United
Nations system, intergovernmental organizations, indigenous peoples, the
private sector and non-governmental organizations assist in their realization.
3. It
is the understanding of the secretariat of the Permanent Forum that those
proposals, objectives, recommendations and areas of possible future action to
be carried out by the United Nations, as set out below, will be implemented to
the extent possible within the context of the approved programme of work of the
relevant entities.
Recommendations of the
Permanent Forum
Discussion
on the theme “Tenth anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights
of Indigenous Peoples: measures taken to implement the Declaration”
4. The
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is the most
comprehensive international instrument on the rights of indigenous peoples. It
establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival,
dignity and well-being of indigenous peoples, elaborates on existing human
rights instruments and clarifies how they apply to the specific situations of
indigenous peoples.
5. Collective
rights to lands, territories and resources and the right to self-determination,
as recognized in articles 3 and 26, are among the most important provisions of the
Declaration and the most challenging to implement. Legal recognition of
indigenous peoples’ rights to lands, territories and resources must be
complemented by effective implementation through enabling legislation,
executive action and judicial protection. It is also critical that legislation
enacted to establish recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights not be
undermined or contravened by other laws and regulations.
6. The
implementation of the Declaration has achieved some major successes.
Constitutional and legislative frameworks that recognize indigenous peoples,
including targeted policies and programmes, have been developed in some
countries, and there is a growing body of national and regional jurisprudence
that recognizes the legal rights of indigenous peoples.
7. The
funds, programmes and specialized agencies of the United Nations system,
including the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the
International Labour Organization (ILO), the Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme, the United
Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality
and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) and the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights, have also taken action to advance the
implementation of the Declaration through their own frameworks, country
dialogues and the system-wide action plan for ensuring a coherent approach to
achieving the ends of the Declaration.
8. At the high-level plenary meeting of the
General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, held in
2014, States committed themselves to taking concrete action to achieve the ends
of the Declaration. The process for the World Conference constituted in itself
a good practice of partnership between indigenous peoples and Member States
working together to identify gains and priorities for future action. The
efforts of the Assembly to enable the enhanced participation of indigenous
peoples at the United Nations represents a continuation of that good practice.
Of particular importance, as reflected in the outcome document, are the
commitments made by States, in cooperation with indigenous peoples, to
implement national action plans, strategies and other measures and to take
legislative, policy and/or administrative measures to achieve the ends of the
Declaration.
9. Notwithstanding
the progress made in implementing the Declaration over the past decade, the
Permanent Forum is concerned about a gap between the formal recognition of
indigenous peoples’ rights and their implementation in practice. Indigenous
peoples continue to face exclusion, marginalization and major challenges to
enjoying their basic rights. Ten years after the adoption of the Declaration,
the usurpation of indigenous peoples’ lands and resources continues at an
alarming rate and threats and violence against indigenous peoples who defend
their territories, rights and livelihoods have increased dramatically. The
Forum is also concerned about the continued refusal of some States to recognize
the existence of indigenous peoples, and that free, prior and informed consent
is rarely, if ever, obtained from communities for projects and legislation that
affect them.
10. The
Permanent Forum welcomes the organization of the high-level event of the
General Assembly to mark the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, held at United Nations
Headquarters in New York on 25 April 2017, with the participation of the
mechanisms specific to indigenous peoples, namely the Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and of
representatives of the seven sociocultural regions.
11. The
Permanent Forum urges Member States, in their regular reporting to the United
Nations human rights treaty bodies and, in particular, to the Human Rights
Council through the universal periodic review, to include the actions taken to
implement the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur on the rights of
indigenous peoples, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
12. The
Permanent Forum urges all States to substantially increase the human, financial
and technical resources made available to implement the Declaration, in
accordance with article 39 thereof, and to overcome the remaining gaps between
the formal recognition of indigenous peoples and the implementation of their
rights.
13. The
Permanent Forum encourages ILO to promote the ratification of the Convention
concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries, 1989 (No.
169) (Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention).
14. The
Permanent Forum encourages Member States with bilateral development agencies to
enact, in accordance with the Declaration, policies that ensure the inclusion
of indigenous peoples as partners in the development process, with a meaningful
role in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all projects
that affect their territories, rights and livelihoods.
15. The
Permanent Forum urges the funds, programmes and agencies of the United Nations
system to cooperate with States and indigenous peoples in the development and
implementation of national action plans, strategies and other measures that aim
to achieve the ends of the Declaration, including by providing support for the
advancement and adjudication of the collective rights of indigenous peoples to
their lands, territories and resources.
16. The
Permanent Forum encourages resident coordinators and United Nations country
teams to ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples,
including indigenous women and youth, in the preparation of the United Nations
Development Assistance Frameworks and country programme action plans.
17. The
Permanent Forum recommends to ILO and its Governing Body that a technical
expert meeting be organized to consider the drafting of a recommendation to
supplement the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention.
Implementation of the six
mandated areas of the Permanent Forum with reference to the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous
Peoples
18. Fulfilling
the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
requires continuous follow-up, monitoring and observation of the six mandated
areas. The sixteenth session attracted speakers from among Governments,
national human rights institutions, intergovernmental organizations and
indigenous peoples. From the interventions presented, the Permanent Forum is
concerned that not enough is being done to improve indigenous peoples’ rights
in the areas of health, education, human rights, economic and social
development, environment and culture.
Human rights
19. The
Permanent Forum welcomes the adoption of the American Declaration on the Rights
of Indigenous Peoples by the Organization of American States on 15 June 2016.
The Forum calls upon States to implement the American Declaration in order to
advance the rights of indigenous peoples in accordance with the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the ILO Indigenous and Tribal
Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) and other human rights instruments.
20. The
Permanent Forum appreciates the participation and active input of national and
regional human rights institutions at its sixteenth session, encourages studies
and reports by the national human rights institutions in the promotion and
protection of indigenous rights and invites those institutions to present their
reports and studies in future sessions.
21. Notwithstanding the developments in
international human rights standards, indigenous peoples continue to face
denial of their most basic human rights, including the right to
self-determination. The Permanent Forum notes the affirmation that the rights
of indigenous peoples are a matter of international concern and that the United
Nations has an important role to play in the promotion and protection of their
rights, as stated in articles 19 and 20 of the Declaration. The Permanent Forum
remains committed to promoting respect for, and the full application of, the
provisions of the Declaration and to following up on its effectiveness.
22. Recalling
the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur appointed to undertake a
study on the status of implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord of
1997 (E/C.19/2011/6, sect.
VIII), and given that the situation of the indigenous peoples of the Chittagong
Hill Tracts remains a matter of concern, the Forum encourages the Government of
Bangladesh to allocate sufficient human and financial resources and set a time
frame for the full implementation of the Accord.
23. The
Permanent Forum calls upon the Government of the United States of America to
comply with the provisions recognized in the Declaration and to ensure the
rights of the Great Sioux Nation to participate in decision-making, as set out
in article 19 of the Declaration, given that the construction of the Dakota
access pipeline will affect their rights, lives and territory. Furthermore, the
Forum recommends that the Government of the United States initiate an
investigation of alleged human rights abuses by private security and law
enforcement officers that occurred during protests to prevent construction of the
pipeline.
24. The
Permanent Forum takes note of the Deatnu (Tana/Teno) river fishing agreement
between the Governments of Finland and Norway that was adopted by their
respective Parliaments in March 2017. The Sami Parliaments of Finland and
Norway have informed the Forum that the agreement was adopted without the free,
prior and informed consent of the Sami. The Forum requests the Governments of
Finland and Norway to renegotiate the agreement with the full and effective
participation of Sami rights holders.
25. The
Permanent Forum urges Colombia to promote and guarantee the rights of
indigenous peoples in the development of the regulatory framework of the
Colombian peace agreement and to ensure that a process of free, prior and
informed consent is established for the implementation of the “ethnic chapter”
of the agreement with their full and effective participation.
26. The
Permanent Forum recommends that the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated
Stabilization Mission in Mali, the African Union and the European Union
establish special mechanisms for the protection of indigenous peoples in areas
of conflict and high insecurity in the countries of the Sahel and Sahara
region, in particular Tuaregs in Mali and Libya.
27. The
Permanent Forum continues to hear numerous accounts from indigenous peoples who
are threatened by alien commercial ventures, militarization and administrative
decisions that interfere with their governance over their lands, territories
and resources and ultimately inhibit their capacity for sustainable development
and well-being for future generations. The Forum strongly recommends that such
disputes be considered in accordance with article 27 of the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and paragraph 21 of the outcome
document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, ensuring that a
mechanism exists that provides for fair, independent, impartial, open and
transparent adjudication. Any mechanism established for adjudication of
disputes over indigenous peoples’ lands, territories and resources should be
agreed upon between States and indigenous peoples.
Economic and social
development
28. Recalling
article 32 of the Declaration, which recognizes that indigenous peoples have
the right to “determine and develop priorities and strategies for the
development or use of their lands or territories and other resources”, the
Permanent Forum urges the African Development Bank, the European Investment
Bank and the Nordic Investment Bank to develop and adopt policies on indigenous
peoples on the basis of the Declaration, to ensure that the programmes and
projects for which they provide support respect, promote and protect the rights
of indigenous peoples.
29. The
Permanent Forum welcomes the progress made in the development of
community-based tools to monitor the implementation of the Declaration, the
outcome document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development and encourages collaboration and
contributions from Governments, the agencies of the United Nations system,
indigenous peoples and civil society organizations to the Indigenous Navigator
framework and other tools in order to strengthen community-based monitoring of
global commitments made under the Declaration, the World Conference and the
Sustainable Development Goals.
30. The
Permanent Forum is concerned about the recent grant by the World Bank of a
waiver to its indigenous peoples policy (operational policy 4.10) and requests
that the World Bank ensure that waivers will not be used in the future.
Furthermore, the Forum requests that the Bank conduct a review of the impact on
indigenous peoples of the waiver issued to the Southern Agricultural Growth
Corridor of Tanzania Programme and present its findings to the Forum.
31. The
Permanent Forum recommends that the World Bank engage the Special Rapporteur on
the rights of indigenous peoples, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples and the Permanent Forum in the development of guidance for
the implementation of the new performance standard 7: Indigenous peoples, of
the International Finance Corporation performance standards on environmental
and social sustainability.
32. The
Permanent Forum notes the work of the Fund for the Development of Indigenous
Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC) as a regional mechanism to
provide support to indigenous peoples. The Forum encourages Member States to
strengthen the institutional framework of FILAC and to create similar bodies in
other regions of the world.
Environment
33. The
Permanent Forum has made a number of recommendations, in particular at its
seventh and ninth sessions, on conservation and human rights, which to date
remain largely unimplemented. Particular attention has been given by the Forum
to the critical issue of free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples
in establishing and managing any protected area that affects their territories,
livelihoods and resources. Those recommendations should be implemented
urgently, considering the continued infliction of human rights violations on
indigenous peoples in relation to conservation measures.
34. The
Permanent Forum urges the Government of Kenya to recognize and formally protect
the land and resource rights of the Ogiek and Sengwer peoples in line with the
Constitution of Kenya, the Community Land Act of 2016 and other relevant laws,
before moving ahead with planned conservation efforts in the Cherangany Hills.
35. The
Permanent Forum urges the International Union for Conservation of Nature to
establish a task force on conservation and human rights to work with indigenous
peoples’ communities and organizations to clearly articulate the rights of
indigenous peoples in the context of conservation initiatives and to continue
to promote grievance mechanisms and avenues for redress in the context of
conservation action, including the Whakatane Mechanism. The Forum invites the
Union to report on progress made in the implementation of these recommendations
in future sessions.
36. The
Permanent Forum recommends that States develop laws and policies to ensure the
recognition, continued vitality and protection from misappropriation of
indigenous traditional knowledge.
37. The
Permanent Forum calls upon Member States to start the work, in the context of
the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, of creating a place and a
voice for indigenous peoples in the governance of the world’s oceans. This
effort involves the participation of indigenous peoples in all aspects of the
work and decision-making regarding the Convention on the Law of the Sea,
including the environmental provisions and the delimitation of the continental
shelf. It may also include establishing advisory committees of indigenous
peoples to guide the work under the Convention, as has been done under the
Convention on Biological Diversity.
38. The
Permanent Forum calls upon the United Nations bodies and Member States to
ensure that indigenous peoples have a voice equal to States in the development
of and negotiations on the international agreement to address marine
biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. States and the United
Nations should guarantee that the agreement upholds and respects indigenous
peoples’ role in governing the oceans and the rights set out in the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Culture
39. The
Permanent Forum encourages States to continue cooperating with indigenous
peoples to develop fair, transparent and effective mechanisms for the
repatriation of ceremonial objects and human remains, at the national and
international levels.
Education
40. Recalling
article 14 of the Declaration and the recommendation made by the Permanent
Forum at its third session, the Forum urges Member States to adopt and fully
implement comprehensive national indigenous education policies and bring into
practice the education of indigenous languages teachers in accordance with
indigenous peoples’ initiatives.
41. Recalling
paragraph 86 of its report on its eighth session (E/2009/43-E/C.19/2009/14), the
Permanent Forum urges public and private education institutions to provide
permanent positions for indigenous teachers and to establish scholarships
designated exclusively for indigenous students.
Health
42. The
Permanent Forum recommends that the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS,
in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the
Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues, sponsor an expert
group meeting on HIV/AIDS by 2019, which would include the full and effective
participation of indigenous peoples living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, to
analyse the sociocultural and economic determinants of health for HIV/AIDS
prevention, care and treatment in indigenous communities, with the Forum’s
collaboration, in order to ensure the realization of target 3.3 of the
Sustainable Development Goals.
43. The
Permanent Forum recommends that States collaborate with indigenous peoples to
ensure adequate resources to design and fully implement HIV/AIDS and hepatitis
B and C programmes that address the social, economic and cultural determinants
of health for HIV prevention, care and treatment in indigenous populations, in
particular indigenous women and youth.
44. The
Permanent Forum invites UNFPA, in collaboration with the Forum, to identify
good practices of culturally appropriate intervention models from its work in
developing countries that provide support to indigenous peoples, in particular
women and girls, in exercising their health and reproductive rights, and to
report to the Forum on those models by 2018.
45. The
Permanent Forum recognizes the efforts made by UNFPA, the United Nations
Children’s Fund and UN-Women and recommends that they continue to make efforts
to implement the recommendation made by the Forum at its fifteenth session to
develop a fact sheet on maternal and child health in indigenous communities (E/2016/43-E/C.19/2016/11, para. 38) and
present the fact sheet to the Forum by 2018, so as to provide support for
target 3.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals.
46. On
the basis of the Permanent Forum’s continued concern about the impact of
environmental toxins and the export and import of banned pesticides on the reproductive
health of indigenous women and girls, the Forum reaffirms its call, contained
in its report on its thirteenth session, for a legal review of the United
Nations chemical conventions, in particular the Rotterdam Convention, to ensure
that they are in conformity with international human rights standards,
including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (E/2014/43-E/C.19/2014/11, para. 16; see
also E/C.19/2014/8, para. 62).
The Forum recommends that the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in
particular article 24, and its recognition of environmental health as a right protected
under the Convention also be considered in the legal review. The Forum invites
the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the
environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and
wastes to carry out a review within his mandated area of expertise and to
present his conclusions to the Forum at its seventeenth session.
Follow-up
to the recommendations of the Permanent Forum Empowerment of indigenous women
47. The
Permanent Forum will continue to play a key role in the empowerment of
indigenous women and to provide a platform in which States, the United Nations
system and indigenous women evaluate the progress made and the challenges that
remain to overcome the marginalization and exclusion of indigenous women.
48. The
Permanent Forum urges States to cooperate with indigenous peoples to prevent
and eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against indigenous
women, children, youth, older persons and persons with disabilities and to
provide support for measures aimed at ensuring their full and effective
participation in decision-making processes at all levels and at eliminating
structural and legal barriers to their full, equal and effective participation
in political, economic, social and cultural life.
49. The
Permanent Forum urges States to expand opportunities to enable indigenous women
to participate actively in the political life of the country in which they
live. The Forum also urges States to ensure the safety of indigenous women who
are defending the rights of their peoples and territories and to prosecute
those persons involved in incidents of violence against them.
50. The
Permanent Forum welcomes the consideration of the empowerment of indigenous
women as the focus area of the Commission on the Status of Women at its
sixty-first session and urges Governments to report on efforts made to fully
implement Commission resolution 49/7,
entitled “Indigenous women: beyond the 10-year review of the Beijing Declaration
and Platform for Action”, and its resolution 56/4, entitled “Indigenous women: key
actors in poverty and hunger eradication”.
51. The
Permanent Forum reiterates the need for the implementation of its
recommendation, contained in paragraph 12 of its report on its third session E/2004/43-E/C.19/2004/23), relating to
the situation of indigenous women migrants. The Forum invites ILO to coordinate
with other appropriate agencies, in cooperation with indigenous women’s
organizations, to prepare a report on the situation of indigenous women with
regard to informal work, migration and working conditions, for submission to
the Forum at its eighteenth session.
52. The
Permanent Forum recommends that ILO, in collaboration with UNFPA and other
relevant United Nations agencies, prepare a study on access to the labour
market by and labour conditions of indigenous women and youth and the
challenges, barriers and stereotypes that may affect their professional
development, for submission to the Forum at its eighteenth session.
53. The
Permanent Forum continues to raise region-specific concerns about the adverse
impact of climate change on indigenous communities (see E/2011/43-E/C.19/2011/14, para. 30) and
invites the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change to prepare a study on the impact of climate change on indigenous women,
for submission to the Forum at its eighteenth session.
54. The
Permanent Forum welcomes efforts made by UN-Women, in the preparation of the
first global report on indigenous women and girls, to highlight progress in the
implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples and prospects for the implementation of the Sustainable Development
Goals as they relate to indigenous women and girls, including in matters
related to informal work, migration and working conditions. The Forum
recommends that UN-Women continue this work in close cooperation with
indigenous women’s organizations.
Indigenous youth
55. The
Permanent Forum has, in recent years, expressed considerable concern regarding
the situation of indigenous youth and the lack of disaggregated data thereon.
In 2016, the Forum decided to include a recurring item on indigenous youth in
the agenda of its annual sessions and has issued several youth-specific
recommendations. The Forum welcomes the progress made and encourages further
action by indigenous organizations and youth, as well as by members of the
United Nations Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development and the Inter-Agency
Support Group on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues, in implementing those
recommendations.
56. The
Permanent Forum recommends that indigenous peoples’ organizations, as well as
the United Nations entities in the Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development
and the Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues, consult
indigenous youth-led organizations in order to include issues pertaining to
indigenous youth in their work at the local, national, regional and global
levels.
57. The
Permanent Forum calls upon the Economic and Social Council, including its youth
forum, the high-level political forum on sustainable development, the
Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission for Social Development, as
well as other relevant United Nations forums, to include representatives of
indigenous youth-led organizations in their meetings.
58. The
Permanent Forum recommends that States provide financial support to the United
Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples to facilitate the participation
of indigenous youth in key United Nations meetings and processes most relevant
to indigenous issues.
59. The
Permanent Forum notes the organization of preparatory meetings for indigenous
youth for its sixteenth session, including the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus
meeting hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FAO). The Forum recommends that this practice be scaled up in 2018, with
representative participation of indigenous youth through indigenous peoples’
organizations from all regions, and invites FAO to report on progress achieved
to the Forum at its seventeenth session.
60. The
Permanent Forum notes the initiative of the Pan American Health
Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) to develop a new health plan
for indigenous youth in Latin America and invites PAHO/WHO to report on
progress achieved in implementing the plan to the Forum at its seventeenth
session.
Dialogues with indigenous
peoples, Member States and the funds, programmes and specialized agencies of
the United Nations system
61. The
Permanent Forum conducted three focused, interactive dialogue sessions with
indigenous peoples, Member States and the funds, programmes and specialized
agencies of the United Nations system. The Forum welcomes such dialogues as an
opportunity to better understand the concerns of indigenous peoples and Member
States and the mandate of the funds, programmes and specialized agencies. Such
dialogues also provide an opportunity to focus on specific issues and identify
ways to increase the effectiveness of the work of the Forum.
Dialogue
with indigenous peoples
62. The
dialogue with indigenous peoples included discussions on a number of topics,
including the assessment of the implementation of the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People on its tenth anniversary; the
follow-up to the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, in particular the development and implementation of national action plans and the establishment of guidelines for free, prior and informed consent; and the need for effective engagement of indigenous peoples in the 2030 Agenda.
follow-up to the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, in particular the development and implementation of national action plans and the establishment of guidelines for free, prior and informed consent; and the need for effective engagement of indigenous peoples in the 2030 Agenda.
Dialogue with Member States
63. The
expert members of the Permanent Forum continued the practice of having an
interactive dialogue with Member States in a closed meeting.
64. There
were nine items listed for discussion, grouped under two headings. The first
heading was “follow-up to the outcome document of the World Conference on
Indigenous Peoples”. It included the following five items: (a) forms of
cooperation and partnership at the State level; (b) status of indigenous
peoples; (c) national action plans; (d) mechanisms addressing lands,
territories and resources; and
(e) indigenous peoples’ development and self-determination.
(e) indigenous peoples’ development and self-determination.
65. The
foregoing items were linked to specific actions identified in the outcome
document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. They enabled the expert
members to gauge the extent to which actions had been carried out and to
encourage the sharing of experiences and ideas. A number of Member States spoke
of their arrangements and achievements. The time available was used constructively
by Member States and provided an opportunity for expert members to raise
questions and consider the replies to them. The expert members consider that
these and other items should be discussed at the next session and Member States
are encouraged to prepare for the dialogue.
66. The
second heading for the dialogue was “indigenous peoples’ issues at the United
Nations”. It included the following four items: (a) free, prior and informed
consent; (b) the role of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; (c) remedy
and reconciliation; and (d) indigenous peoples in the United Nations system.
The time available led to pertinent feedback to assist the expert members with
matters regarding the organization and procedures of the Forum and the
important topic of accreditation of indigenous peoples to the United Nations.
Dialogue with the funds,
programmes and specialized agencies of the
United
Nations system
67. The
Permanent Forum welcomes the constructive dialogue with the United Nations
funds, programmes and specialized agencies of the United Nations system, in
addition to the information provided about the initial results obtained in
terms of the implementation of the system-wide action plan on the rights of
indigenous peoples since its launch at the fifteenth session of the Forum, in
2016. In particular, the Forum welcomes the development of joint programming
and activities by United Nations entities and activities conducted at the
country level under the six action areas of the action plan.
68. The
Permanent Forum urges the funds, programmes and specialized agencies to have a
special focus on the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the system-wide action plan in a few
designated countries in 2017 and 2018 and led by the United Nations resident
coordinators. In selecting those countries for joint action, special attention
should be given to countries that already are under focus, such as those that
are carrying out voluntary national reviews for the high-level political forum
on sustainable development, those that are under review by the Working Group on
the Universal Periodic Review, those that are in the preparatory phases for a
new United Nations Development Assistance Framework, or those in which a
dialogue process between the State and the indigenous peoples is taking place.
69. The
Permanent Forum recalls that in paragraph 7 of its report on its tenth session
(E/2011/43-E/C.19/2011/14), it
congratulated the International Fund for Agricultural Development on the
establishment of the Indigenous Peoples’ Forum as an example of good practice
that should be followed by other United Nations entities. The Forum urges other
United Nations entities to report on their progress achieved in this regard to
the Forum at its seventeenth session.
70. In
accordance with the outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the
General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and the
system-wide action plan, all funds, programmes and specialized agencies are
urged to adopt policies to inform their work with indigenous peoples that
include indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination and free, prior and
informed consent. Progress achieved will be discussed at future sessions of the
Permanent Forum.
71. The
Permanent Forum requests the Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Peoples’
Issues and, specifically, those agencies working on land tenure and changes in
land use, to step up cooperation in order to operationalize indicators on land
tenure and changes in land use pertaining to the traditional territories (lands
and waters) of indigenous peoples, as a global multipurpose indicator in order
to report on status and trends, in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity,
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Declaration
on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. All relevant funds, programmes and
specialized agencies should update the Forum every year on the results of this
work.
72. The
Permanent Forum welcomes the first indigenous media zone, established at the
sixteenth session of the Forum, and encourages the continuation of this
initiative at future sessions, in cooperation with indigenous community media,
and, where possible, encourages United Nations entities to continue
collaboration with indigenous community media at the regional and national
levels.
Dialogue
with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples with regard to
indigenous human rights defenders
73. Many
indigenous peoples described situations where their human rights were being
impacted by large-scale infrastructure projects, natural resource extraction
and industrial agriculture activities in their territories without their free,
prior and informed consent. The Permanent Forum received information to that
effect from the Shuar, Sapara, Maasai and Ogaden peoples, among others. The
Forum is concerned, in particular, by cases where it appears that the interests
of investors are better protected than the rights of indigenous peoples. It
reiterates that States and the private sector must respect the human rights of
indigenous peoples by ensuring the effective implementation of the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Guiding
Principles on Business and Human Rights.
74. Many
States have established mechanisms to protect human rights. However, the
Permanent Forum is concerned that such mechanisms might prioritize individual
rights over collective rights. It calls upon States, in cooperation with
national human rights institutions, to comply with their commitments made in
the outcome document of the 2014 World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, with
the aim of achieving the full enforcement of the collective rights of indigenous
peoples.
75. The
Permanent Forum is concerned, in particular, about information received on the
situation of indigenous human rights defenders. Globally, there is an alarming
rise in the killings of human rights defenders. In 2016, 281 defenders were reported
killed, compared to 185 in 2015 and 130 in 2014.[2] Most of the cases were related to land, indigenous and
environmental rights, and a majority occurred in only six countries of Latin
America and Asia. It is estimated that 40 per cent to 50 per cent of those
killed are indigenous persons. Many other indigenous human rights defenders are
subjected to violent attacks and threats, enforced disappearances, illegal
surveillance, travel bans, blackmail, sexual harassment and other forms of
violence and discrimination. It is also of concern to the Forum that human
rights defenders are frequently subjected to false claims of criminal
activities or terrorism.
76. The
Permanent Forum recalls paragraph 41 in its report on its twelfth session (E/2013/43-E/C.19/2013/25) and reaffirms
that States should establish a monitoring mechanism to address violence against
indigenous peoples, including assassinations, assassination attempts, rapes and
other intimidation and persecution against indigenous human rights defenders.
Furthermore, with regard to article 22 of the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Forum recommends that such monitoring
mechanisms address the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women, and that
measures be taken to ensure the full protection of indigenous women against all
forms of violence.
77. The
Permanent Forum recommends that national and transnational corporations adhere
to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in order
to ensure protection of the rights of indigenous human rights defenders.
78. The
Permanent Forum recommends that donors, including the European Union, the
European Commission, the Department of State of the United States of America,
human rights support organizations and others provide long-term funding, legal
aid and other resources to assist indigenous human rights defenders, their
families, networks and communities.
79. The
Permanent Forum welcomes the decision of the Special Rapporteur on the rights
of indigenous peoples to prepare a study on intimidation, criminalization and
violence of any form directed against indigenous peoples, communities or
individuals, in particular those who defend their rights under the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Forum invites the
Special Rapporteur to share her preliminary findings and recommendations with
the Forum at its seventeenth session.
80. The
Permanent Forum urges States, in cooperation with indigenous peoples, to
develop and implement specific laws and mechanisms to protect indigenous human
rights defenders, to ensure that attacks against them are investigated and that
those persons responsible are held accountable.
81. National
human rights institutions are encouraged to work with indigenous peoples to
develop strategies to protect and provide support to indigenous human rights
defenders.
Follow-up
to the outcome document of the World Conference on
Indigenous
Peoples
82. The
follow-up to the outcome document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples
focused on the following three areas: (a) implementation of national action
plans, strategies or other measures; (b) ways to enhance the participation of
indigenous peoples at the United Nations; and (c) implementation of the United
Nations system-wide action plan on indigenous peoples.
83. The
Permanent Forum calls upon States that have not already done so to engage in
constructive partnerships with indigenous peoples to achieve the ends of the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to adopt
specific action plans, strategies or other measures that will deliver required
financial and technical assistance to indigenous peoples in order for them to
achieve and exercise self-determination.
84. The
Permanent Forum has considered options for indigenous peoples’ representation
at all levels of the United Nations, noting, in particular, the requests by
indigenous peoples’ representative institutions, including traditional councils
and authorities, to be accredited in the United Nations system.
85. The
Permanent Forum strongly supports the granting of observer status in General
Assembly meetings to indigenous peoples’ representative institutions.
86. The
Permanent Forum notes the challenges of accreditation of indigenous peoples’
representative institutions. The Forum recommends that selection criteria for
accreditation be developed by indigenous peoples to be applied by a committee
that comprises representatives of States and indigenous peoples.
87. The
Permanent Forum also recommends that the Economic and Social Council and the
Human Rights Council note the proposal to accredit indigenous peoples’
representative institutions as observers in the General Assembly and to consider
accreditation for indigenous peoples’ representative institutions to
participate in their meetings and meetings of their subsidiary bodies on issues
affecting them.
2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development
88. The
Permanent Forum, as an expert body of the Economic and Social Council, regards
the 2030 Agenda as a priority area and is committed to providing advice and
assistance to the Council and the United Nations system on the implementation
of the Agenda, including through active contributions and participation at the
high-level political forum on sustainable development.
89. The
Permanent Forum recommends that the Inter-agency and Expert Group on
Sustainable Development Goal Indicators provide support for the inclusion and
methodological development of core indicators for indigenous peoples in the
global indicator framework,[3] in particular the inclusion of the indicator on the legal
recognition of the land rights of indigenous peoples for the targets under
Goals 1 and 2.
90. The
Permanent Forum recognizes the importance of data disaggregation, as noted in
target 17.18 of the 2030 Agenda, and in this regard, it is aware of the good
practices promoted by the Economic and Social Commission for Latin America and
the Caribbean (ECLAC). The Forum recommends that ECLAC, in cooperation with
UNFPA and others, redouble efforts to ensure data disaggregation for indigenous
peoples and promote the inclusion of complementary indicators on indigenous
peoples’ rights in Governments’ national reports for the Sustainable
Development Goals and the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development,
adopted at the Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin
America and the Caribbean. The Forum further recommends that ECLAC provide a
guidance note and organize a mutual learning event, jointly with other regional
commissions, in order to share best practices of data disaggregation on the
basis of indigenous identifiers and self-identification, as used in the 2010
round of census in several countries in Latin America.
91. The
Permanent Forum emphasizes that the recognition, protection and promotion of
indigenous peoples’ rights to lands, territories and resources will make a
significant contribution to achieving not only Goals 1 and 2, but also all the
Sustainable Development Goals. In this regard, the Forum urges Governments to
take all measures necessary to protect indigenous peoples’ rights to their
territories and resources in the framework of the 2030 Agenda.
92. The
Permanent Forum calls upon Governments to establish permanent, open and
inclusive mechanisms for consultation, participation and representation of
indigenous peoples in local, regional, national and international processes and
bodies relating to the Sustainable Development Goals. It also calls upon
Governments to allocate adequate resources towards implementation of plans that
include indigenous peoples, as well as to ensure data disaggregation on the
basis of indigenous identifiers.
93. The
Permanent Forum recommends that relevant countries among the 44 countries
undergoing voluntary national reviews at the high-level political forum in 2017[4] include indigenous peoples in their reviews, reports and
delegations. The Forum invites those Member States to report on good practices
of including indigenous peoples’ indicators in the voluntary national reviews
to the Forum at its seventeenth session.
Future work of the
Permanent Forum, including issues considered by the Economic and Social Council
and emerging issues
94. The
Permanent Forum expresses thanks to the Government of Canada for hosting its
pre-sessional meeting for 2016 and to the Governments of the Plurinational
State of Bolivia, Canada, China, the Congo, Denmark, Guatemala, Mexico,
Nicaragua, Norway, the Russian Federation, Spain and the United States of
America, as well as the Government of Greenland, for having hosted previous
pre-sessional and intersessional meetings of the Forum. The Forum recommends that States that have not yet done so consider hosting such meetings in the future. It also requests that the secretariat of the Forum organize pre-sessional meetings for future sessions of the Forum.
pre-sessional and intersessional meetings of the Forum. The Forum recommends that States that have not yet done so consider hosting such meetings in the future. It also requests that the secretariat of the Forum organize pre-sessional meetings for future sessions of the Forum.
International Year of
Indigenous Languages, 2019
95. The
Permanent Forum welcomes the proclamation of the International Year of Indigenous
Languages, beginning on 1 January 2019, to draw attention to the critical loss
of indigenous languages and the urgent need to preserve, revitalize and promote
indigenous languages and to take further urgent steps at the national and
international levels. The Forum notes with appreciation the commitment made by
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
to serve as the lead agency for the Year, in collaboration with other relevant
agencies.
96. In
the light of the proclamation of the International Year, the Permanent Forum
invites Member States, in close cooperation with indigenous peoples, UNESCO and
other relevant agencies of the United Nations system, to participate actively
in the planning of the Year, including by organizing national and international
expert meetings to raise awareness of and plan specific activities for the
Year, and securing additional and adequate funding for the successful
preparation and implementation of the Year, including by providing support for
the establishment of an indigenous-led fund dedicated to the preservation and
revitalization of indigenous languages.
97. The
Permanent Forum recommends that UNESCO, in cooperation with the Expert
Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Forum and the Special
Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, and with the direct
participation of indigenous peoples, develop a comprehensive action plan for
the International Year and invites UNESCO to submit the plan to the Forum at
its seventeenth session.
United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change
98. The Permanent Forum welcomes the fact that
the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, in paragraph 135 of its decision 1/CP.21, 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 (the local communities and indigenous
peoples platform) for the exchange of experiences and sharing of best practices
on mitigation and adaptation in a holistic and integrated manner.
99. The
Permanent Forum invites the secretariat of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change to share the findings of the next open
multi-stakeholder dialogues on the operationalization of the local communities and indigenous peoples platform at the seventeenth session of the Forum. The Forum urges Member States to operationalize the platform in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
multi-stakeholder dialogues on the operationalization of the local communities and indigenous peoples platform at the seventeenth session of the Forum. The Forum urges Member States to operationalize the platform in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
100. The
Permanent Forum also welcomes the fact that the Conference of the Parties to
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at its twenty-second
session, held in Marrakech, Morocco, in November 2016, agreed to adopt an
incremental and participatory approach to developing the platform on local
communities and indigenous peoples with a view to ensuring its effective
operationalization.
101. The
Permanent Forum welcomes the recognition and inclusion of indigenous peoples’
knowledge in the work of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services to assess the state of biodiversity and
ecosystem services. The Forum supports the Platform’s approach to recognize and
work with indigenous knowledge throughout its work programme, for example,
recognizing the contribution of indigenous knowledge in its global assessment
on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems. The
Forum invites the Platform to continue to inform the Forum about the progress
of its work, including at its seventeenth session.
2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development
102. The
Permanent Forum is committed to continue its strong engagement in follow-up to
the 2030 Agenda implementation. The Forum will participate in, and provide
substantive input to, the thematic reviews of the high-level political forum
and provide expert advice to Member States and the United Nations system in the
implementation of the agenda at all levels (see paras. 89-94 above).
103. The
Permanent Forum encourages the Commission for Social Development to consider
indigenous peoples’ issues at the fifty-sixth session of the Commission as part
of its agenda related to the 2017-2018 priority theme “Strategies for
eradicating poverty to achieve sustainable development for all”.
104. Recalling
its recommendations made at its first, sixth and ninth sessions that called for
publication of the report entitled “State of the world’s indigenous peoples”,
the Permanent Forum requests the Department of Economic and Social Affairs to
continue its publication of the document on a quadrennial basis.
Studies
to be prepared by members of the Permanent Forum
105. The
Permanent Forum appoints Anne Nuorgam, a member of the Forum, to undertake a
study to examine freshwater fishing and hunting rights of indigenous peoples,
to be submitted to the Forum at its seventeenth session.
106. The
Permanent Forum appoints Brian Keane and Elifuraha Laltaika, members of the
Forum, to undertake a study to examine conservation and indigenous peoples’
human rights, to be submitted to the Forum at its seventeenth session.
107. The
Permanent Forum appoints Les Malezer, a member of the Forum, to undertake a
study on indigenous peoples and sustainable development, to be submitted to the
Forum at its seventeenth session.
108. The
Permanent Forum appoints Terri Henry, a member of the Forum to undertake a
study on spotlight in North America: good practices in addressing violence
against indigenous women and the impact of grassroots movements in achieving
national action, to be submitted to the Forum at its eighteenth session.
Chapter II
Venue, dates
and proceedings of the session
109. By
its decision 2016/251, the Economic and Social Council decided that the
sixteenth session of the Permanent Forum would be held at United Nations
Headquarters from 24 April to 5 May 2017.
110. At
its 6th and 13th meetings, on 27 April and 3 May, the Permanent Forum
considered agenda item 3, entitled “Follow-up to the recommendations of the
Permanent Forum: (a) empowerment of indigenous women; and (b) indigenous
youth”. For its consideration of the item, the Forum had before the documents
entitled “Update on the implementation of the recommendations of the Permanent
Forum” (E/C.19/2017/3),
“Compilation of information from Member States on addressing the recommendations
of the Permanent Forum” (E/C.19/2017/6),
“Compilation of information received from indigenous peoples’ organizations” (E/C.19/2017/7) and “Compilation of
information received from agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations
system and other intergovernmental bodies on progress in the implementation of
the recommendations of the Permanent Forum” (E/C.19/2017/8). At its 16th
meeting, on 5 May, the Forum considered and adopted its recommendations
submitted under agenda item 3 (see chap. I, sect. B).
111. At
its 4th, 5th and 13th meetings, on 26 and 27 April and on 3 May, the Permanent
Forum considered item 4, entitled “Implementation of the six mandated areas of
the Permanent Forum with reference to the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples”. For its consideration of the item, the Forum had
before it a document entitled “Compilation of information from national human
rights institutions” (E/C.19/2017/9).
At its 16th meeting, the Forum considered and adopted its recommendations
submitted under that item (see chap. I, sect. B).
112. At its 11th
meeting, on 2 May, the Permanent Forum considered agenda item 5, entitled “Dialogue with indigenous peoples”. At its 16th meeting, the Forum
considered and adopted its recommendations submitted under that item (see chap.
I, sect. B).
113. At
its 12th meeting, on 2 May, the Permanent Forum considered item 6, entitled
“Dialogue with Member States”. At its 16th meeting, the Forum considered and
adopted its recommendations submitted under that item (see chap. I, sect. B).
114. At its 8th
meeting, on 28 April, the Permanent Forum considered agenda item 7, entitled “Dialogue with the funds, programmes and specialized agencies of
the United Nations system”. At its 16th meeting, the Forum considered and
adopted its recommendations submitted under that item (see chap. I, sect. B).
115. At
its 2nd and 3rd meetings, on 24 and 25 April, the Permanent Forum considered
item 8, entitled “Discussion on the theme ‘Tenth anniversary of the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: measures taken to
implement the Declaration’”. For its consideration on the item, the Forum had
before it the documents entitled “Tenth anniversary of the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: measures taken to implement
the Declaration” (E/C.19/2017/4)
and “International expert group meeting on the theme ‘Implementation of the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: the role of the
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and other indigenous-specific mechanisms
(article 42)’” (E/C.19/2017/10).
At its 16th meeting, the Forum considered and adopted a draft decision and
its recommendations submitted under that item (see chap. I, sects. A and B).
116. At its 14th
meeting, on 4 May, the Permanent Forum considered agenda item 9, entitled “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. For its consideration of
the item, the Forum had before it a document entitled “Update on indigenous
peoples and the 2030 Agenda” (E/C.19/2017/5).
At its 16th meeting, the Forum considered and adopted its recommendations
submitted under agenda item 9 (see chap. I, sect. B).
117. At
its 9th and 10th meetings, on 1 May, the Permanent Forum considered item 10,
entitled “Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous
peoples and the Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples with regard to indigenous human rights defenders”. At its 16th meeting,
the Forum considered and adopted its recommendations submitted under agenda
item 10 (see chap. I, sect. B).
118. At
its 7th meeting, on 28 April, the Permanent Forum considered agenda item 11,
entitled “Follow-up to the outcome document of the World Conference on
Indigenous Peoples: (a) implementation of national action plans, strategies or
other measures; (b) ways to enhance the participation of indigenous peoples at
the United Nations; and (c) implementation of the United Nations system-wide
action plan on indigenous peoples”. For its consideration of the item, the
Forum had before it a document entitled “Implementation of the United Nations
system-wide action plan on indigenous peoples” (E/C.19/2017/2). At its 16th
meeting, the Forum considered and adopted its recommendations submitted under
agenda item 11 (see chap. I, sect. B).
119. At
its 15th meeting, on 4 May, the Permanent Forum considered agenda item 12,
entitled “Future work of the Permanent Forum, including issues considered by
the Economic and Social Council and emerging issues”. At its 16th meeting, the
Forum considered and adopted its recommendations submitted under that item
(see chap. I, sect. B).
120. At its 16th meeting, the Permanent Forum
considered agenda item 13, entitled “Provisional agenda for the seventeenth
session”. At the same meeting, the Forum considered and adopted a draft
decision submitted under that item (see chap. I, sect. A).
Chapter III
Adoption of the
report of the Permanent Forum on its sixteenth session
121. At
its 16th meeting, on 5 May, the Rapporteur introduced and orally revised the
draft decisions and recommendations and the draft report of the Permanent Forum
on its sixteenth session.
122. At
the same meeting, the Permanent Forum adopted its draft report, as orally
revised.
Chapter IV
Organization of
the session
A. Opening
and duration of the session
123. The
Permanent Forum held its sixteenth session at United Nations Headquarters from
24 April to 5 May 2017. It held 16 formal meetings and 3 closed meetings to
consider the items on its agenda.
124. At
the 1st meeting, on 24 April, the session was opened by the Assistant
Secretary-General for Economic Development, Department for Economic and Social
Affairs. At the opening ceremony, Tadodaho Sid Hill, of the Onondaga Nation,
delivered a welcoming address. The Vice-President of the General Assembly and
the Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council delivered statements.
125. At
the same meeting, statements were made by the Chair of the Permanent Forum, the
Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, the Minister of
Indigenous and Northern Affairs of Canada and the Assistant Secretary-General
and Deputy Executive Director of UN-Women.
B. Attendance
126. Members
of the Permanent Forum and representatives of Governments, intergovernmental
organizations and bodies, United Nations entities and non‑governmental and
indigenous organizations attended the session. The list of participants will be
published at a later date.
C. Election
of officers
127. At
its 1st meeting, on 24 April, the Forum elected the following members of the
Bureau by acclamation:
Chair:
Mariam Wallet Mohamed Aboubakrine
Mariam Wallet Mohamed Aboubakrine
Vice-Chairs:
Phoolman Chaudhary
Jens Dahl
Jesus Guadalupe Fuentes Blanco
Terri Henry
Phoolman Chaudhary
Jens Dahl
Jesus Guadalupe Fuentes Blanco
Terri Henry
Rapporteur:
Brian Keane
Brian Keane
D. Agenda
128. Also
at its 1st meeting, the Forum adopted the provisional agenda contained in
document E/C.19/2017/1.
E. Documentation
129. The
list of the documents before the Permanent Forum at its sixteenth session will
be published at a later date.
17-08011 (E) 260517
*1708011*
|
[2] See A/71/281,
para. 27, and Front Line Defenders, Annual
Report 2016: Stop the Killing of Human Rights Defenders, p. 6.
[3] See E/CN.3/2017/2.
[4] The 44 countries that are undertaking voluntary
national review in 2017 are Afghanistan, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh,
Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus,
Czechia, Denmark, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia,
the Islamic Republic of Iran, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Luxembourg,
Malaysia, Maldives, Monaco, Nepal, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Panama, Peru,
Portugal, Qatar, Slovenia, Sweden, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Uruguay and Zimbabwe
(www.sustainabledevelopment.un.org).
