GENEVA / LIMA (5 December 2013) - The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, will visit Peru from 6 to 13 December 2013 to study the situation of indigenous peoples in the country .
The mission of Mr. Anaya will focus specifically on the impact of extractive industries on the rights of indigenous peoples, including issues of consultation and consent and the effect of these activities on indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation or initial contact.
“I hope to gain a better understanding of the views of indigenous peoples, government representatives and other stakeholders on the achievements and challenges that exist with regard to extractive industries and human rights of indigenous peoples in Peru,” the UN independent expert said.
During his eight-day visit, the Special Rapporteur will meet with officials of the Government of Peru in Lima and indigenous representatives, and travel to Andean and Amazonian regions within the country to examine specific cases in those areas.
At the conclusion of his mission, on Friday, 13 December, Mr. Anaya will present his preliminary findings at a press conference that will be held at 1 pm (13:00 hours) in Lima, in el Complejo Pérez de Cuéllar, sitio en Av. Pérez Araníbar (Ex. Av. Del Ejército) #750, Magdalena del Mar, Sala Interagencial.
The Special Rapporteur will submit in 2014 a report to the UN Human Rights Council with his conclusions and recommendations on the issues studied during the mission.
The UN Human Rights Council appointed S. James Anaya (United States) as Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples in March 2008. Mr. Anaya is a Regents Professor and the James J. Lenoir Professor of Human Rights Law and Policy at the University of Arizona. As Special Rapporteur, he is independent from any government or organization and serves in his individual capacity. Learn more, log on to: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IPeoples/SRIndigenousPeoples/Pages/SRIPeoplesIndex.aspx or www.unsr.jamesanaya.org
See the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IPeoples/Pages/Declaration.aspx
UN Human Rights Country Page – Peru: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/LACRegion/Pages/PEIndex.aspx
For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
In Geneva (before the mission): Maia Campbell (+41 79 444 4078 / mcampbell@ohchr.org) or write to indigenous@ohchr.org
For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)
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