Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, James Anaya
Addendum
The situation of indigenous peoples in Chile: follow-up to the recommendations made by the previous Special Rapporteur
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Distr.: General
5 October 2009
Original: Spanish
Human Rights Council
Twelfth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and Protection of all Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights, including the Right to Development
Summary
This report contains the observations of the Special Rapporteur on his working visit to Chile from 5 to 9 April 2009 and the exchange of information with the Government of Chile and other interested parties concerning the situation of the indigenous peoples of that country. The visit and the exchange of information took place in the light of the report and recommendations made by the previous Special Rapporteur following his mission to Chile in 2003. The Special Rapporteur takes note of the progress made by the State of Chile towards recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples in that country, including the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 169 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries of 1989, and the constitutional reform initiatives relating to indigenous matters. Note is taken of the high level of attention paid to indigenous affairs by the Chilean State, as evidenced by the development of plans and proposals in response to the recommendations of the previous Special Rapporteur, Rodolfo Stavenhagen, especially in the area of assistance policies. However, the State must still address major challenges in its efforts to fulfil its duties of protection and effective promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms for indigenous peoples, particularly as regards consultation and cooperation, rights to land and territory, development of natural resources, and policies on conflicts connected with claims to Mapuche lands. The Special Rapporteur submits the following observations and recommendations as a contribution to addressing the challenges and making substantive progress in the recognition and protection of the human rights of Chile’s indigenous peoples, in accordance with the State’s obligations and commitments in this field.