In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Fernand de Varennes, provides a summary of his activities and highlights the continuing work on the thematic priorities of statelessness, education and minority languages, hate speech targeting minorities on social media and the prevention of violent conflicts through the protection of the human rights of minorities, as well as the strengthening of the protection of the rights of minorities through regional forums.

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.

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, Marcos Orellana, examines the negative implications of toxic and hazardous substances on indigenous peoples’ enjoyment of human rights. Mining, oil and gas exploration and extraction, spraying of toxic pesticides, dumping of hazardous wastes, and military activities have appalling effects on the rights of indigenous peoples. Every aspect of indigenous peoples’ lives is affected by the contamination of their bodies, lands, waters, food, wildlife and plants.

GENEVA (26 July 2022) – The rising levels of violence perpetrated by non-State armed groups and criminal organizations in rural areas of Colombia are having a devastating impact, particularly on women...

GENEVA (25 July 2022) – UN experts* today expressed frustration and grave concern following confirmation of the death of Australian teenager Yusuf Zahab in a North-East Syrian detention facility. The...

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, José Francisco Calí Tzay, focuses on the enjoyment of human rights by indigenous peoples living in urban areas. He discusses the challenges and opportunities of urbanization with regard to its impact on human rights and provides recommendations on measures necessary to guarantee the full enjoyment of human rights by indigenous peoples living in urban areas, with a view to ensuring the effective and universal implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

In the present report, the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism, Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, focuses on persons with albinism on the move, in particular refugees and asylum seekers.

In the report to the General- Assembly, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples revisits the issue of protected areas and the rights of indigenous peoples and assesses recent developments with a focus on the obligations of States and international organizations to respect, protect and promote indigenous peoples’ rights.