The present study is submitted by the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 33/25. The study includes Expert Mechanism advice No.15 on treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements, including peace accords and reconciliation initiatives, and their constitutional recognition, presented in an annex.

In its resolution 6/36, the Human Rights Council established the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a subsidiary body to assist the Council in the implementation of its mandate by providing it with thematic expertise on the rights of indigenous peoples, as requested by the Council. In the resolution, the Council established that the thematic expertise would focus mainly on studies and research-based advice, and that the Expert Mechanism might put forward proposals to the Council for its consideration and approval.

Distinguished President of the Human Rights Council, Distinguished members of the Expert Mechanism, Excellencies, Colleagues and friends, It is with great pleasure that I open the fifteenth session of...