Indonesia must recognise Indigenous Peoples and consider them partners for national development: UN experts

By | November 4, 2025
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GENEVA – UN experts* today expressed grave concern about Indonesia’s persistent lack of recognition of Indigenous Peoples, and the systemic human rights violations they face. “We call on Indonesia to formally recognise Indigenous Peoples and be open to engaging them as vital partners in shaping an inclusive, sustainable and rights-based national development,” the experts said. “Giving recognition… Read More »

Lands, territories and resources of Indigenous Peoples. Interim report to the General Assembly

By | October 13, 2025
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The Special Rapporteur on the Indigenous Peoples rights, Albert Barume, presents his first annual report to the General Assembly, in compliance with Human Rights Council resolution 51/16. In the first part of the report sets out his activities since being appointed and taking up his functions in January 2025. In the second part of the… Read More »

UN expert calls for stronger protections for Indigenous Peoples in Botswana

By | September 12, 2025
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GABORONE – Botswana must urgently address the continuing marginalisation of Indigenous Peoples, including the lack of constitutional recognition, forced relocation from ancestral lands and barriers to accessing justice, education and basic services, a UN expert said today, while acknowledging a marked and positive shift in government policy on the rights of the country’s indigenous communities.… Read More »

UN expert on Indigenous Peoples’ rights to visit Botswana

By | August 29, 2025
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GENEVA (29 August 2025) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Albert K Barume, will conduct an official visit to Botswana from 1 to 12 September 2025. The expert will examine a diverse range of issues affecting Indigenous Peoples, including the right to lands, territories and resources, administration of justice, equality… Read More »

Recognition of Indigenous Peoples. Report to the Human Rights Council. A/HRC/60/29

By | August 29, 2025
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The first report of the Special Rapporteur, Albert K. Barume, presented to the Human Rights Council, offers a thematic analysis of the recognition of Indigenous Peoples at the global level, seeking to facilitate their understanding and adoption by States. Nearly 20 years after the UN Declaration, the lack of understanding of the expression “Indigenous Peoples”… Read More »

Keynote at the Global Indigenous Languages Summit, Ottawa 2025

By | August 18, 2025
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Keynote Adress by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Dr. Albert K. Barume Global Indigenous Languages Summit, Ottawa, 14th August, 2025   Distinguished delegates, Indigenous leaders, youth, colleagues, and friends, It is an honor to address this important and inspiring Global Summitt on a matter that goes to the very heart… Read More »

Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending rights, shaping futures

By | August 8, 2025
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INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES 8 August 2025 GENEVA Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending rights, shaping futures Statement by the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Albert K. Barume Today, on the eve of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we celebrate the enduring strength, wisdom, and cultural richness… Read More »

Call for Input: Country Visit to Botswana

By | July 15, 2025
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Purpose: Seeking information in preparation of the upcoming country visit to Botswana Background The Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples is seeking information in preparation of his upcoming country visit to Botswana which will take place from 1 to 10 September 2025. Pursuant to his mandate established by the Human Rights Council, the… Read More »

UNDRIP as an Instrument of Reconciliation: Dialogues with Indigenous Peoples in Indonesia

By | July 13, 2025
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Being Invited as Special Rapporteur to attend human rights dialogues by Indigenous Peoples in Papua, Poco Leok, and Bogor, in Indonesia (3 to 11 July, 2025) revealed the need to engage Governments more on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as an instrument devised to reconcile States with their Indigenous… Read More »

“Hate speech is a crime, not commentary”. UN Expert Condemns post targeting of Indigenous Peoples

By | July 10, 2025
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Statement by the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples “Hate speech is a crime, not commentary”. UN Expert Condemns post targeting of Indigenous Peoples 10 JULY 2025 As United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, I express my strong condemnation and deep indignation against a post on X (previously Twitter)… Read More »

Brazil must abandon “Marco Temporal” doctrine once and for all, says UN expert

By | June 11, 2025
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GENEVA – A UN expert today expressed grave concern about Brazil’s continued use of the controversial “Marco Temporal” legal interpretation to revoke the legal foundation for indigenous land demarcation and annul the demarcation of indigenous territories in Santa Catarina. “This legislative move enforces the discredited ‘Marco Temporal’ doctrine, which restricts Indigenous land rights to territories… Read More »

Kenya: UN expert urges immediate halt to land demarcation violating Ogiek rights and African court judgments

By | June 5, 2025
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GENEVA – A UN expert* today expressed grave concern over the ongoing land demarcation by the Government of Kenya in the Eastern Mau Complex, which threatens ancestral lands of the Ogiek Peoples and contravenes binding judgments of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR). “These actions risk causing irreparable harm to the Ogiek’s… Read More »

Youth justice systems across Australia in crisis: UN experts

By | May 19, 2025
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GENEVA  – Two independent human rights experts on torture and indigenous peoples respectively* today sharply criticised state and territory youth justice systems in Australia, where disproportionately large numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to be jailed. “The various criminal legal systems operating in Australia appear to be in crisis nationwide,” said Alice Jill Edwards,… Read More »

Statement by Dr. Albert Barume to the European Parliament Human Rights Subcommittee

By | May 14, 2025
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Statement of Dr. Albert Kwokwo Barume Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the Meeting with the European Parliament Sub-committee on Human Rights Brussels 14 May 2025 Introduction Esteemed Members of the European Parliament It is an honour to be able to address you and let me start by commending the EU and… Read More »