HRC45 - NB8 statement - The rights of indigenous peoples

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples

24 September

Statement by Denmark on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries

Madame President/Mr Vice-President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country Denmark together with Greenland.

In welcoming again Francisco Cali Tzay, as new Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we thank the previous Special Rapporteur Victoria Tauli-Corpuz for her final report.

We commend Victoria Tauli-Corpuz for the many brave and relevant activities conducted during the last year of her term, including her intervention bringing concrete solutions to injustices against indigenous peoples around the world.

We are deeply concerned by the many examples of criminalization of, and even violence against, indigenous peoples when defending their collective land rights and their access to exercising their human rights. Clearly, the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and the UN at large have an essential role in promoting the rights of indigenous peoples.

We request all States to strengthen their cooperation with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights on Indigenous Peoples. On a national note, Denmark looks forward to resume the Special Rapporteur’s visit to Denmark and Greenland, when circumstances permit.

Mr. Cali Tzay; as incoming Special Rapporteur, what do you see as the most pressing challenges when it comes to the human rights of indigenous peoples today, and where do you expect to put your focus in your work as Special Rapporteur?

Thank you.