UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: "Consultation with indigenous peoples of Costa Rica can be an opportunity and a good example for other countries"

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San José, March 28, 2012 - At the end of his visit to Costa Rica, James Anaya, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, recognized the meeting between indigenous peoples and the government around the project as an important step. proposed Diquís hydroelectric plant.

During his five-day visit to the country, the Special Rapporteur visited several indigenous territories and met with representatives of the communities of Boruca, China Kichá, Curre, Coto Brus, Ujarrás, Cabagra, Salitre and Térraba, communities that would be affected by the project. hydroelectric, which involves the construction of a large-scale dam.

The meetings served to discuss the observations and recommendations of his report after his first visit to deal with this issue in April 2011. Rapporteur Anaya also met with government authorities to exchange ideas and insights on the mechanisms for carrying out consultations with the indigenous peoples that would be affected by the El Diquís project.

During his visit, the Special Rapporteur participated in a first meeting between the representatives of the indigenous communities affected by the project and the government authorities, where ideas were exchanged regarding the procedure of the consultation process that would take place.

“I consider that this first meeting has represented an important step to open a space for an eventual dialogue. All parties have agreed that it is essential to take specific measures to create an environment of trust that allows an adequate consultation process”.

James Anaya acknowledged as positive the Government's express willingness to carry out a consultation process in accordance with international human rights regulations on indigenous peoples and the recommendations set forth in its 2011 report on this situation.

Finally, Anaya emphasized that this consultation process must be a true dialogue that does not start from predetermined decisions, but rather an opportunity for the indigenous peoples to express themselves freely about the project and consider all the options of moving forward or not with the Diquís dam.

More information with:

Danilo Mora Díaz
Communications Officer
United Nations System
Tel. (506) 2296 1544 ext. 2123
Cell. (506) 8834 3028
Fax. (506) 2291 1125
email danilo.mora@undp.org