HRC45 - NB8 statement - Interactive dialogue with EMRIP

Interactive dialogue with EMRIP

24 September

Statement by Finland on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries

Madame President,

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

We welcome the work of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and welcome its special role in ensuring closer monitoring and focusing efforts on implementation of the articles of the UNDRIP.

The EMRIP has shown innovative approach by establishing new working methods, most notably country engagement missions through the revision of its mandate in September 2016.

The reports under discussion today reflect two important topics. The right to land has a particular meaning for indigenous peoples’ identity and culture, indigenous customs and traditions, as well as the collective nature of the indigenous land ownership, while the repatriation of intangible cultural heritage is crucial for indigenous peoples to protect their intellectual property and traditional cultural knowledge.

We welcome the work of international organizations, such as UNESCO and WIPO, in assisting indigenous peoples, states, museums and other stakeholders, in the repatriation of indigenous peoples’ ceremonial objects, human remains and intangible cultural heritage.

Members of the EMRIP, in your view, what could be done to better raise awareness among different stakeholders on indigenous peoples’ right to land and on the repatriation of ceremonial objects, human remains and intangible cultural heritage?

Thank you.