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 »
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 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 »
Dr Albert K. Barume, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, explains the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007, and critical issues shared by Indigenous Peoples around the world. The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the United Nations… Read More »
Statement by Dr. Albert Barume, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to the 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Distinguished Commissioners, Excellencies Ministers and Governments officials Delegates, ladies and gentlemen It is a great honour for… Read More »
Statement of Dr. Albert Kwokwo Barume Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples At the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 24th Session Agenda Item 5(d) New York 28 April 2025 Chairperson of the Permanent Forum, Chairperson et members of the Expert Mechanism, Distinguished Members of the Permanent Forum, Assistant-Secretary-General for Human Rights,… Read More »
Joint Letter by the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, April 2025 In our capacity as Expert Members of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of… Read More »
From April 21 to May 2, 2025, the 24th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This annual international event serves as a key platform for indigenous representatives, Member States, UN agencies, and civil society organizations to discuss strategies aimed at… Read More »
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), adopted in 2007 after more than two decades of negotiations, stands as one of the most significant documents in contemporary international law. Its importance lies not only in the recognition of historically denied collective and cultural rights but also in its potential to reshape… Read More »
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples has welcomed the recent Direct Request of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) of the International Labour Organization (ILO), which represent a significant step forward in protecting the traditional occupations of Indigenous Peoples in Indonesia. The Committee’s observations… Read More »
GENEVA – Ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a group of UN experts issued the following joint statement: “The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination offers a particular opportunity this year as we mark the 60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD, the… Read More »
GENEVA – UN experts* today expressed grave concern about urgent protection needs and dire living conditions of displaced civilians in the mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Intensified hostilities between the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group and the armed forces of the DRC, supported by allied militias and mercenary and related actors have displaced… Read More »
Purpose: To inform the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders on human rights defenders working on climate change and a just transition, to be presented to the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in October 2025. Deadline: 30 April 2025 Background The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights… Read More »
Purpose: To inform the thematic report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change to the United Nations General Assembly 80th session. Issued by Special Rapporteur on climate change Deadline: 30 April 2025 Background In her upcoming report to the UN General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur seeks to… Read More »
Purpose: The Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples invites contributions to inform his report to be presented at the 60th session of the Human Rights Council, in September 2025, where he intends to examine ways and means of overcoming obstacles and promoting best practices related to the recognition by States of Indigenous Peoples. Background… Read More »
