Special Rapporteur in Kenya 

The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples, Mr. Rodolfo Stavenhagen, visited Kenya from 4 to 14 December 2006. The visit involved meetings with various state actors, none state actors, development partners as well as field visits to specific sites where indigenous communities live. Mr. Stavenhagen's observations, conclusions and recommendations can be read in the final report. Read more>>.

• Oral Statement by Mr Rodolfo Stavenhagen on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people.  [English], [Española]
  

Renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people

On 28 September 2007, the Human Rights Council, during its sixth session, decided to renew for an additional period of three years the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people. The unedited version of the relevant resolution, so far only available in English, is attached. Click to read more>>

The Council’s new resolution reinforces the Special Rapporteur’s mandate as described in previous resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights, in areas such as the Special Rapporteur’s official visits, communications, and annual reporting.

The Council’s resolution further includes a number of important innovations in relationship to previous resolutions, including the following:

• The resolution entrusts the Special Rapporteur with the follow-up of the recently adopted UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
  Peoples, along with other relevant international standards.
• The resolution invites the Special Rapporteur to work in close cooperation with the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and to
  participate in its annual session.
• The resolution invites the Special Rapporteur to identify, exchange and promote best practices in the promotion and protection of the rights
  of indigenous peoples.
• The resolution calls the Special Rapporteur to pay a particular attention to the situation of indigenous women and children, and to apply a
  gender perspective in his/her work.

Read More>>

The current mandate-holder, Mr Rodolfo Stavenhagen from Mexico, will finish his term at Council’s resumed session in December 2007, when he will also present his final report. In order to avoid a protection gap, he will retain the mandate until the appointment of the new mandate-holder, initially expected in March 2008.

UN Special Rapporteur on indigenous peoples to visit Bolivia