24 November 2008
GENEVA -- The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, S. James Anaya, will visit Nepal, 24 November to 2 December, at the invitation of the Government.
During the nine-day mission, the Special Rapporteur will travel to Kathmandu and to the Eastern, Central and Far Western regions to hold discussions with government representatives, indigenous communities and civil society groups on the human rights of indigenous peoples.
A press conference will be held in Kathmandu at the conclusion of the Special Rapporteur’s visit and the Special Rapporteur will present the visit’s findings in a forthcoming session of the Human Rights Council.
The Commission on Human Rights decided to appoint in 2001 a Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, as part of the system of thematic special procedures. The Special Rapporteur’s mandate was renewed by the Commission on Human Rights in 2004 and by the Human Rights Council, which replaced the Commission, in 2007.
On 26 March 2008, the Human Rights Council appointed Professor S. James Anaya (United States of America), for an initial period of three years. Professor Anaya is the James J. Lenoir Professor of Human Rights Law and Policy at the University of Arizona (United States).
For additional information on the work and mandate of the Special Rapporteur, write to indigenous@ohchr.org, or see the website:
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/indigenous/rapporteur/