Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples

The Special Rapporteur investigates and reports on the overall human rights situations of indigenous peoples in selected countries.   Country reports are typically based on an analysis of information sent to the Special Rapporteur from indigenous peoples, Governments, and interested parties as well as on independent research and visits to the country under review. During the country visits, the Special Rapporteur usually meets with a variety of individuals and groups, including Government officials, indigenous peoples and their leaders from various regions within the country, and a cross section of civil society actors that work on issues relevant to indigenous peoples.  Visits such as these occur with Government consent and cooperation.

The on-site visit itself offers the Special Rapporteur an invaluable opportunity to engage with the various actors on indigenous issues. This engagement provides the Special Rapporteur with a deeper understanding of the issues the country faces and the obstacles for efforts to overcome them. In addition, the visit helps to forge relationships with the interested parties that are invaluable in maintaining a sustained dialogue aimed at improving the situation of indigenous peoples.

The culmination of this investigation and the on-site visit is a country report in which the Special Rapporteur details the events of his visit, provides an overview of the situation of indigenous people in the country, highlights the advances that the country has made with regards to indigenous rights, indicates areas where state practice still remains out of compliance with international standards, and offers recommendations for improving the situation of indigenous peoples. 

The country reports are published as addenda to the Special Rapporteur’s annual reports to the Commission on Human Rights/Human Rights Council.

Country reports