1st Meeting, 19th Session Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP)

Cell President Excellency Human Rights Council President, Distinguished representatives of Indigenous peoples of national human rights institutions, of United Nations agencies and civil society organizations, Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen.
It is a pleasure for the expert mechanism on the rights of Indigenous Peoples to welcome you all here today.
Ladies and gentlemen, before we move to the official program of work for our meeting, I would very much like to invite the indigenous representatives and the working group to hold a traditional indigenous opening ceremony.
I invite Chief Esche to come forward.
Thank you.
To go there, we're going to hung scan.
N and he has Scott here.
I'm going to go Scott, any octo, come out and go.
I down on hand, say, Wednesday, go, go.
N, go get it scared they always good, Niger go.
Other way you know, to doing home Wednesday hot.
They oct and go out and go hot.
New owners you went to crowd, gone.
Y dog.
New York, again, hot, don't say, you know, Go, one holding you one grow got And in, say, iga ha on top.
Where going yoga don't shock, I say, and go it.
Hoy say iga ha, walk on top, Nigo And, no.
Strong go where they go, or what they go, I? No.
N all day hot talk.
N snake whatever you know go go to one horn or turn on, no.
So hodoni, again, to go.
Ade ud Cadogd Agus Agung Codio, Nate, António, Nate Soo, N Guegoj you Codio, Codido Cod Nu We into our t, e *******, H or a eine yk and niggos and get yolk neat no.
N go when are they N, are you going to hiccnk on Wednesday, are you going to hic conk and you go to go, stop.
N you know, to horn go ***** wig go hot.
I, are not trying again.
N scan, hold on, once again, or not, somebody not training.
N where you know, go to d hoy, and go hot.
In the world true, do you well ****** Niger, scare go, you screw ha say, do you again in New York, don't go out and iga hat.
Touch, sir.
He questions it did you know you gone S how say, hang on here, there? Nagy scared don't get hungry.
Niger ****** dog question it.
Every guest is, you know? He got.
Troll in the car, I scared and get to S they said no.
Natanya, to Wednesday Nya go again.
Do you go there when you're hot, y, go.
N honk, Wednesday, scar, y, stop.
Natanya, hold, Wes? N, no.
They told you, why? You know? They said, no, in the car, so scared and get to go.
Said said, New go.
Down on our t.
Hey, hey dog is it is, you know, K? N, hold there, go hunt.
N and what? No talk.
Got guy? Go to stop.
N go ahead and get ex hold there once again.
Dog, Niger going, do you know? So, hey, dog, it is.
Did you know, go and go.
A and Aja shots go your dog, it is, you know? Nya dog go hunt, what near do dog did eat.
N dogs shot, go your dog, you know.
Say ***** Aja shot, it is, your nk, go out and ***** hot.
Eat hot guy.
I knee So guy that when? A ****** dog.
S there.
Hot so go hand.
Na go on.
Nawa ho.
Do lady said go on and scan to get your tongue, go and go hot.
A, we gave the younger dog, N get you don't scan Lady going to quote lay the way you know, younger dog, tongue, go out and got.
True there.
Scan I don't know.
N, New York too.
Just a brief explanation in English.
I.
We call this the Thanksgiving address or I call it the Thanksgiving address when we gather every time we perform, we give these words.
First of all, we give thanks to everybody that is here today.
Everybody is well.
They were able to make it.
That we give thanks to Mother Earth.
We give thanks to the weeds, we give thanks to the strawberries.
We give thanks to the trees, We give thanks to the animals, the sustenance that they provide to us.
We give thanks to the waters, the streams, the lakes, rivers, oceans.
We give thanks to all of them.
We give thanks to our sustenance, our food.
We give thanks to the winds and all their responsibilities, we give thanks for because that's our responsibility is to give thanks to them, to encourage them to continue to do their job.
From there, we move up above the Earth, we give thanks to the sun, we give thanks to the moon, the stars, I and then we go even higher and we give thanks to who we call Sanado.
He was a messenger that brought our words that we still use today and how we're supposed to be the nose.
We give thanks to him for his message that he brought from Sanguy Dis.
Then we give thanks to what we call the four beings that guide us and ensures that we use a good mind.
And finally, we give thanks to Suu, our creator.
He's the one that provided us with all these things that we give thanks for that we are responsible for speaking for because they don't have a voice and looking after.
That's our job.
So we give thanks to him and that's where we conclude it.
We'll open that ceremony that way and we'll close it that way too as we depart ways for the last time.
So one other thing I want to add is, I think the dio Shoe, when we were formed, we were, um, a warring nation.
We fought a lot amongst ourselves and amongst others, very dominant Mohawks, Cubas, Adagas, Onidas, Senecas, Tuscaros.
The peacemaker came to us to form the confederacy.
He told us, I'm not going to go into all of it, but to use a good mind.
You know, no harsh words.
And that's how we're supposed to that's how we all should be.
That's how we should all lead our life.
We got a lot of issues in this world right now and everybody's using harsh words.
Let's use good words, use a good mind.
Nowa, Thank you very much indeed.
I now formally call to order the first meeting of the 19th session of the Expert Mechanism on the rights of Indigenous peoples.
I now have the pleasure of welcoming the president of the Human Rights Council.
His Excellency, Ambassador Pro.
Mr.
President, you have the floor.
Madam Chairperson, distinguished members of the expert mechanism, distinguished representatives of the indigenous peoples and member states.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is a privilege to open the 19th session of the Expert Mechanism on the rights of Indigenous people on behalf of the Human Rights Council.
I welcome its members and congratulate miss Dali Sambo Doro on her reappointment and Mr.
Gam Simrai on his appointment representing Asia.
Also welcome Mr.
Albert Barme, Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous people, miss Aluki Coter chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and miss Marjne Etienne, members of the Board of Trustees of the Voluntary Fund of Indigenous Peoples.
I warmly welcome all indigenous representatives, including the 14 beneficiaries of the voluntary fund.
I thank the states whose support makes their participation possible and encourage continued contribution so that indigenous voices are always present in this room.
Allow me a brief personal word.
I come from an archipelago of 17,000 islands and more than 700 living languages, a country whose national motto, Vin Kungalia teaches that unity is not the absence of diversity, but its achievement.
I opened this session with a conviction that is both institutional and personal, that the world's diversity of people, languages, and ways of knowing is not a problem to be managed, but a heritage to be protected.
Nearly two decades ago, this council created the experts mechanism as its dedicated source of expertise on the rights of indigenous people.
It has become something rare.
It is a space where states, indigenous people, human rights institutions, academia, and United Nations bodies sit together not to negotiate, but to listen to advise, and to build.
The council values this work profoundly, reaffirmed in its resolution 60 slash 13 and counts on the studies, the advice, and country engagement you will discuss this week.
Distinguished participants, two horizons give this session particular weight.
The first is the approaching 20th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People adopted in 2007 by an overwhelming majority of states.
It's standing not in question, its implementation is The situations of indigenous people vary from region to region, from country to country.
As we mark two decades, I encourage all delegations to take stock honestly with due regard for these particularities, what has changed in law and what has changed on the ground.
Closely tied to this is the question of the enhanced participation of indigenous peoples in the work of the United Nations.
Indigenous peoples were present at the creation of the declaration as drafters, not merely as subjects.
The ongoing dialogue on appropriate modalities for their participations deserves our good faith.
The second horizon is language.
We are in the fifth year of the international decade of indigenous languages, and much of the world's linguistic heritage is at risk of falling silent within our lifetimes.
A language is not merely a means of communication, it is a library of ecological knowledge, a legal order, a way of seeing.
The prayers that opened this meeting testifies to that.
When a language dies, humanity's memory grows shorter.
I encourage states to come forward with concrete measures in education, media, and public services.
I also call on this mechanism as a designated member of the global task force for the decade to deepen its engagement.
The protection of indigenous languages is nowhere more urgent than in the digital sphere, which holds both promise and peril.
I welcome this session's panel discussion on the rights of indigenous people and artificial intelligence.
The same technologies that can help revitalize a language can also appropriate knowledge without consent.
The principles are not new, consent, participation, benefit sharing, but the terrain is and your guidance will be timely.
Distinguished members of the expert mechanisms and participants.
In too many parts of the world, indigenous peoples bear the heaviest cost of conflicts they did not choose.
Conflicts rooted in the historic injustices of colonialization and the disposition of indigenous lands and territories, as the mechanisms forthcoming study on the right of indigenous peoples in conflict and post conflict situations make clear.
I note that this study with great interest and the council looks forward to receiving it at its 63rd session in September.
It reminds us that indigenous peoples are not only affected by conflicts but are themselves peacemakers.
Their own institutions and customary practices deserve far greater recognition in building durable peace.
I conclude by reiterating concern at intimidation and reprisals against indigenous people's representatives engaging with the United Nations, as well as against mandate holders working on their rights.
The Council has repeatedly called on all actors to respect and protect those who cooperate with the United Nations.
I welcome the discussions you will hold this week and trust they will be conducted as always in this room in a spirit of mutual respect between states, indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders.
I assure you of the support of the council and its president.
Demasi, thank you.
I'd like to thank the president of the Council for his remarks and for his encouraging words on the expert mechanism on the rights of Indigenous peoples.
We look forward to continuing our excellent cooperation with the Human Rights Council as we implement our mandate.
I'd like to also inform delegations that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, His Excellcy Volktu will join us on Wednesday as he was unable to be with us for today's opening meeting.
With this, I'd like to close this opening segment and I thank all of you who have joined us for this opening segment today.
Present Indigenous representatives, brothers and sisters, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished experts.
Let us now proceed with the first item on our agenda, which is the election of officers in accordance with Rule one oh three of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly.
I would like to thank my colleagues, the other six members of the expert mechanism for having entrusted me with the position of chair this past year and for the great collective work that we have achieved.
I would also like to thank member states, indigenous peoples, NGOs, and the many other stakeholders we work with for their openness to dialogue and their continued cooperation with this mechanism in carrying out its mandate.
I thank our ancestors for having guided us and for guiding us and the indigenous peoples of the world for inspiring our work and The Mosquito people from the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, the Indigenous peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean, who are the source of identity and my commitment.
My thanks to my family, to my children, and for their love and strength and I wish the incoming chair every success as they conduct this important work.
I now invite members of the expert mechanism to present the nomination for the new chairperson rapporteur, and for the two vice chairs.
I see Gan Shira, you have the floor.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Good morning, distinguished colleagues, and good morning to all delegations.
It is my pleasure and honor to chair this part of the agenda and to present the nomination for the chair and vice chairs of the Expert Mechanism.
I would like to start by expressing sincere gratitude to Anika Alfred Cunningham for her tireless efforts and dedication as chair of the Expert Mechanism in the past year.
I now have the pleasure to nominate as chair of the expert Mechanism on the rights of Indigenous peoples, Valen Toki, and as vice chairs, my colleagues Dali Sambo Doo and Anika Alfred Kanka.
I asked my colleagues if you can accept this proposal.
It seems like we have agreement.
Back to you, Madam Chair.
Thank you very much.
There are no objections, it's my privilege to declare by acclamation Tk as chair rapporteur together with Daily Samba in my person as vice president and rapporteur of the expert Meanism of the rights of Indigenous Peoples of United Nations.
Thank you very much.
Palm.
Sister, please join me at the podium.
You have the floor.
The new chair.
Tehikko Ngahafa or Madii, warm specific greetings from Aldon, New Zealand at a time when we celebrate our indigenous New Year of Maaddiki.
It's quite appropriate for me as the new chair to acknowledge the celebrations of our new year in Alton New Zealand.
Excellencies, President of the Human Rights Council, distinguished representatives of Indigenous peoples, national human rights institutions, UN agencies and civil society organizations, all delegates.
It is indeed a great honor and a deep privilege for me to be able to take the floor as a new chair of the Ex Mechanism on the rights of Indigenous peoples.
At the outset, I would like to congratulate my colleague, Daily Sambo Dorea on her reappointment as a member for the Arctic.
Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, she has not been able to join us at this session.
I would also like to welcome our newest member, Gam Sima, on his appointment as a member for the Asia region.
On behalf of the expect mechanism, we look forward to continuing working on and progressing the mandate alongside of the two of you.
I would also like to acknowledge the work of our continuing members, Anika Alfred Cunningham, Antonina Grbanova, Ajit Miu Odulu, and Cheryl Lightford.
I take this opportunity to thank my distinguished colleagues for the trust they place in me to serve as a chairperson of the E mechanism on the rights of Indigenous peoples this year.
I really look forward to working together with all stakeholders.
As you all know, the mandate of the E mechanism is to give advice to the Human Rights Council and also importantly to assist member states and indigenous peoples in realizing the ends of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples.
Before continuing, I would like to recall that the United Nations promotes dialogue and exchanges between different actors with a view to promoting sustainable peace, development, and human rights.
All participants are encouraged to contribute to the expert mechanisms session in a spirit of constructive, robust, multi stakeholder dialogue, keeping a focus on the theme of the discussion.
The meetings of the expect mechanism, as with any UN system, events are guided by the highest ethical and professional standards, and all participants are expected to behave with integrity and respect towards all participants and attending or involved with any meeting of the expect mechanism.
We count on your cooperation to ensure that these standards are adhered to by all participants in this session.
In this regard, we kindly ask that all participants please exercise decorum, avoid abusive or disrespectful language, or derogatory or inflammatory remarks.
Otherwise, they may risk prohibition from attending any United Nations meetings in the future.
Now, allow me to give you some updates on the work of the E mechanism over the past year.
Despite significant financial constraints, the E mechanism has continued its work in 2025 through its annual sessions and coordination meetings with other indigenous mechanisms.
The annual intersessional seminar was held in Geneve in December 2025.
This meeting contributed really valuable input into our study.
As decided during our 17th session, the E mechanism has undertaken a study on the rights of indigenous peoples in conflict and post conflict situations.
The draft study will be discussed in depth later today.
This document is available on the E mechanisms 19th session web page.
As mentioned in December 2025, the expert mechanism held an expert seminar on the topic of the study.
This was to obtain substantive input into our study on this theme.
The seminar brought together approximately 13 participants with expertise in this field, including practitioners from several regions, indigenous human rights advocates, academics, and in addition to members of the expert mechanism.
Across the 2.5 days, panels covered a whole range of topics including analysis of legal frameworks, types of conflicts and root causes of conflict and growing impact on post conflict contexts.
The impact of conflict and post conflict on the rights of indigenous peoples, emerging threats to peace and security, including climate change and environmental security.
Gaps and challenges in safeguarding indigenous people's rights during peace negotiations and in post conflict situations, the role of indigenous women and youth in peace building, and of course, good practices and lessons learned.
The E mechanism has also carried out over several intersational activities, participated in international seminars, forums, and consultations.
Some examples of our invaluable engagements include last October, the E mechanism participated in FA World Food food Summit, including the high level opening ceremony from the third global Hub meeting.
Also, the expect mechanism continues to actively participate in the meetings of the global task force for making a decade of action for indigenous languages as coordinated by the United Nations educational, scientific, and cultural Organization or otherwise known as UNESCO.
During the last year, the expert mechanism has also maintained a continued coordination with other Indigenous United Nations mechanisms, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples, and of course the Permanent Forum on Indigenous issues, especially with the participation of the chair and the human rights dialogue and some Emirate members during the 25th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
Our annual sessions are another example of cooperation between the mechanisms.
I am pleased to welcome doctor Albert Burme, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, miss Aluki Kotuk, the chairperson of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Marjne Etienne, the representing the Board of Trustees of the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples.
I would now like to turn to the work on the agenda for this coming week of the expect mechanism.
Once we have completed the opening formalities, E mechanism, and all participants will spend part of the day discussing the study, the right of indigenous peoples in conflict and post conflict situations.
We indeed look forward to receiving your views and feedback on the draft, which we will finalize over the course of this week.
Before the submission of the study to the Human Rights Council at its 63rd session in September.
I take this opportunity to announce that the list of speakers for the agenda item is now open and will remain open until 1:00 this afternoon.
This item discussion will continue after lunch.
We will then dedicate 2 hours this afternoon to address the mechanisms country engagement work under item six.
Representatives from member states and indigenous peoples from the two most recent country engagements will participate in this discussion.
The list of speakers for this item will open today from 3:00 P.M.
To 5:00 P.M.
One of the highlights of this 19th session will be tomorrow morning's three hour panel discussion on the rights of indigenous peoples and artificial intelligence under item eight.
The list of speakers for this agenda item will open 1 hour this afternoon from 5:00 P.M.
And then tomorrow morning from 10:00 A.M.
To 12:00 A.M.
On Tuesday afternoon, we will have a closed coordination meeting from 3:00 P.M.
To 4:30 P.M.
With the United Nations Indigenous rights Mechanisms to coordinate our work and plan joint initiatives for the period 2026 to 2027.
We will then hold item 12 proposals to be submitted to the Human Rights Council from 4:30 to 6:00 P.M.
The list of speakers will be open for 1 hour from 12:00 P.M.
To 1:00 P.M.
And then again after the closed meeting from 4:30 P.M.
To 5:00 P.M.
On Wednesday morning from 10:00 A.M.
To 11:00 A.M.
The expert mechanism will hold a closed door meeting to discuss and finalize proposals to be submitted to the Human Rights Council.
Following this meeting, we will hear from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr.
Volker Türk, for his welcoming remarks.
From 11:10 to 1:00 P.M.
We will have the item on enhancing the participation of indigenous peoples to the United Nations.
The speaker's list for this item will open for an hour from Tuesday from 5:00 P.M.
To 6:00 P.M.
And then again on Wednesday from 11:10 A.M.
To 12:00 P.M.
On Wednesday afternoon, we will hold an interactive dialogue with the chair of the Permanent Forum, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and a representative from the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples.
The list of speakers for this item will open from Wednesday at midday till 5:00 P.M.
On Thursday morning, we will have a two hour session on preparing for the 20 years of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Indeed, a significant milestone.
The list of speakers will be open for an hour from 5:00 P.M.
To 6:00 P.M.
And then again on Thursday morning from 10:00 A.M.
To 11:00 A.M.
We will then have the item on International Decade of Indigenous Languages, which continues after lunch.
Item speaker list opens on Thursday from 11:00 to 1:00 P.M.
And lastly, we look forward to the future work of the expect mechanism, including follow up recommendations made in previous studies and advice and advice also.
The speaker's list for this item will open at 3:00 P.M.
And close at 5:00 P.M.
Unfortunately, as with last year, the expect mechanism has to finish our session on Friday at 1:00 P.M.
Due to continued financial constraints.
The morning of Friday, the last day of our session, the mechanism will hold a closed door meeting to discuss the session report and its proposals.
We will end the session also in the morning with the adoption of the 2026 study and also the advice and the annual report of the expect mechanisms work, including its 19th session, which will be submitted to the Human Rights Council for consideration at its 63rd session.
In addition, there is a rich program of side events.
I think there's 41 in total, which will all be held in person.
We encourage all of you to attend these events and you can find the schedule on our web page.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have contributed to the work of the mechanism in the past year.
In particular, I thank the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples and member states who have made those contributions.
The fund has made it possible for 13 indigenous representatives from all regions of the world to attend this year's session.
I would also like to acknowledge and extend a warm welcome to the 37 indigenous fellows representing four linguistic components, English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, who are participating in the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program this year.
We would like to acknowledge and extend our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples Center for documentation, research, and information that we all know, Fonsp for their invaluable contribution and support in facilitating the participation of indigenous peoples in our sessions every year.
We also extend our gratitude to all the member states, indigenous peoples, and their organizations and representatives, bodies, national human rights institutions and academia that have contributed to our studies and reports, as well as to those who have taken an active interest in the implementation of our expanded mandate.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the role of Indigenous peoples and minority section of the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, which hosts the Secretariat of the E Mechanism on the rights of Indigenous Peoples and supporting our work.
In closing, My Indigenous brothers and sisters, I would like to welcome all of you to the 19th session of the E mechanism on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
On behalf of my colleagues, I invite you to participate in the discussions and make your contributions, knowing that we are all very interested and invested in what you have to say.
Your contributions and views are the basis of our work toward achieving and advocating for the rights of indigenous peoples.
Kindly ensure that your contributions this week are directly linked to our work program.
Our common goal is the full realization of the Declaration and all relevant human rights instruments that point to the enjoyment of indigenous peoples of their collective and individual human rights.
Thank you.
We will now proceed with the adoption of the agenda.
In this regard, I draw the attention of ex mechanism members to the provisional agenda and its annotations contained in document slash HRC slash EMRIPsh 2026 slash one.
Does any member wish to make a statement or a comment with regard to the provisional agenda? I see none.
May I therefore consider the agenda for the 19th session of the E mechanism on the rights of Indigenous peoples adopted? Let us now proceed with the consideration of the program of work in accordance with Rule 99 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly.
You have before you a program of work agreed upon by the expert mechanism on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
This time table shows the order and distribution of meeting time for each agenda item for the 19th session according to the adopted agenda.
With that, we are finished with the adoption of the agenda and until we start item three.
Thank you.
I'd like to now call my colleague, E Mechanism Member Ojulu to lead item three discussion.
Thank you.
Dkanbet Baba, Tamanjdl.
That is greetings and word of welcome in my native language, Aja.
On behalf of the expert mechanism on the rights of Indigenous people, I warmly welcome all participants representatives of indigenous peoples, member States, United Nations, National Human Rights institutions, civil society organizations, academics, OSCHR Indigenous Fellows and grantees, and all others joining us today.
It is my pleasure to chair this session on the export Mechanisms draft Study on the rights of indigenous peoples in conflict and post conflict situations.
Before introducing the study, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to its preparation.
In particular, I thank those who participated in the expert seminar held in Geneva 3-5 December 2025 and all those who provided written submissions.
We received contributions from more than 80 stakeholders representing indigenous peoples, states, national human rights institutions, NGOs, civil society organizations, and academia.
Their diverse experiences and expertise have greatly enriched this work.
This study was prepared pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 33 slash 25.
It examines the rights of indigenous peoples in conflict and post conflict situations through the lens of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples and other relevant international standards.
The study in front of you analyzes the relevant international legal framework, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, environmental law, and Transitional justice standards.
It examines the interconnected nature of these legal frameworks in protecting indigenous peoples before, during, and after conflict.
One of the study central contribution in its broad understanding of conflict.
For indigenous peoples, conflict is not limited to armed violence.
Conflict also includes structural conditions that systematically deny indigenous peoples the ability to exercise their rights.
These include disposition of their lands, denial of self determination, discrimination, exclusion from decision making, environmental degradation, and inequitable governance systems that perpetuate inequality.
For many indigenous peoples, these are not historical events alone, but continuing realities that shape everyday life.
Against this backdrop, the study identify several important findings.
First, indigenous peoples continue to disproportionately affected by conflict because of historical injustices and ongoing violations of their rights.
Conflicts frequently arise where there are competing interests over indigenous lands, territories, and natural resources, compounded by failures to recognize indigenous peoples as right holders and to implement their rights under international law.
Second, the study identifies a number of drivers of conflict affecting indigenous peoples.
These include the ongoing impact of colonization and disposition, violations of treaties, peace agreements, and other constructive arrangements, denial of indigenous identity and self determination, militarization of indigenous territories, extractive and development activities undertaken without free, prior and informed consent, climate change and environmental degradation, criminalization of indigenous leaders and human rights defenders, and the persistent exclusion of indigenous people from governance and decision making.
These drivers are interconnected and often reinforce one another.
The study also highlights how climate related pressures, including displacement, resource scarcity and competition over critical minerals associated with the global energy transition can intensify existing grievances and conflict affecting indigenous peoples.
It further examines the ways in which climate action and energy transition measures may affect indigenous peoples and their lands, territories, and resources.
The study furthermore finds that the failure to implement treaties, peace agreements, and other constructive arrangements between indigenous peoples and states remains a significant source of conflict and mistrust.
It notes that disputes concerning the implementation and interpretation of these agreements continue to affect relationships between indigenous peoples and states in many regions.
Third, the study demonstrates that conflicts affects virtually every dimension of indigenous people's lives.
It threatens the right to life, liberty, and security, contributes to displacement and arbitrary detention, undermined lands, territories, and resources, weaken cultural identity and livelihoods, and disproportionately affect indigenous women, girls, and human rights defenders.
These impacts are frequently collective and intergenerational rather than individual alone.
The study further finds that post conflict processes often fail to address the underlying causes of conflict, even where armed hostilities have ended disputes over lands, Resources, political participation, and self determination frequently remain unresolved with underlying grievances continuing to affect indigenous peoples and their communities.
The study emphasizes that transitional justice processes encompass truth seeking justice reparations and guarantees of non recurrence, including in relation to collective and intergenerational arms experienced by indigenous peoples.
It examines how such processes may address disposition, displacement, loss of cultural heritage, and erosion of governance systems.
The study also highlights the contributions of indigenous peoples to conflict resolution and peace processes.
Across every region, indigenous peoples possess longstanding traditions of diplomacy, mediation, customary law, and peace building.
Indigenous governance systems, traditional knowledge, and indigenous institutions offer important approaches to conflict prevention, dispute resolution, and reconciliation.
This study also highlighted the critical roles played by indigenous women, youth, elders, and traditional authorities in peace building, mediation, and reconciliation processes.
This study understands peace not simply as the absence of armed conflict, but as the presence of conditions that enable the realization of rights and dignity.
It examines how the effective realization of indigenous people's rights, including the rights to self determination and to land and territories and resources, is connected to conflict prevention, reconciliation, and sustainable peace.
In this context, the study underscores the need to recognize indigenous peoples as right holders and key actors in conflict prevention and sustainable peace.
Building on these findings, the study concludes with expert mechanisms advice number 19, which sets out the recommendations for states, indigenous peoples, United Nations entities, and other stakeholders.
These include strengthening the protection of indigenous people's rights to self determination and to their lands, territories, and resources, ensuring implementation of treaties and peace agreements, promoting the participation of indigenous peoples in peace negotiations, traditional justice, transitional justice, and post conflict grievance, protection of indigenous human rights defenders, addressing militarization and forced displacement, recognizing indigenous governance systems, representative institutions, and peace building practices and promoting the meaningful participation of indigenous peoples in decision making processes.
Adopting gender responsive approaches to peace and security, and providing culturally appropriate reparations, restitutions, and guarantees of non recurrence.
I would now like to invite members of the expert mechanism to offer any opening reflections.
I will then invite the special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people and the chair of the permanent forum should they wish to take the floor.
I'm looking at my fellow experts.
I don't see any hand and the special aportur and the chair of the permanent forum.
I also don't see We will now turn to the speaker's list on the item.
We welcome your comments on the draft study and advice as we seek to finalize it before submission to the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council.
We encourage you to directly address the text of the study during your intervention.
Thank you very much.
We will now turn to the speaker's list on the agenda item.
The first on my list is the Alliance International P Defense the dro Libert.
It's a joint Stment with Idl International Foundation.
You have the floor.
If the representative is not in the room, I move to the next on the list is the International Career Support Association is a joint statement with International Research Institute of Controversial Histories.
Yes, you have the floor.
Thank you, Chairperson, members of Expert.
Thank you for your tires dedication to protecting the rights of indigenous people, particularly those affected by conflicts and post conflict situation.
We hold your mandate in the highest regard.
Today, I wish to draw your attention to a serious abuse of important mechanism.
This entry a submission regarding Okinawa published on the MRP website explicitly stated that that was submitted on behalf of the Gen City council.
Let me be clear.
The claim is entirely false.
The government of Japan does not recognize Okinawa as indigenous and no local council passed any resolution recognizing Okinawa as an indigenous people.
More alarmingly, the individual who submitted the document, Ginawan City councilor named ia Miyagi has no authority to represent the city council.
In reality, 99.98% of the Okinawans do not identify as indigenous and the overwhelming majority are unwaived Iwa of the UN treaty bodies has issued recommendations suggesting otherwise.
Presenting a personal narrative as an official local government is serious deception and is now subject to disciplinary proceedings for the alleged falsification of the official documents.
Exploiting EmiRF to create the false appearance of an indigenous consensus undermines their credibility of this mechanism.
Such action misread international institution as divert Emis limited time and resources away from a genuine indigenous people living in conflict and post conflict situation who truly require international attention and protection.
We respectfully urge E to strengthen the verification of submission and claiming to represent the public institution or indigenous communities so that the mechanism remains focused on proceeding a genuine indigenous people and is not misread to the political purposes.
I thank you very much, Mr.
Chair.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Guatemala Thank you very much indeed.
Our country has experienced a 36-year-old internal armed conflict.
The historic Truth and Justice Commission has seen over 45,000.
Can we have a microphone for the speaker, please, a microphone 5,000 victims of the armed conflict were boys and girls.
These are victims, over 80% of them belong to indigenous peoples.
Military operations, conducted massacres, displacements, disappearances and sexual violence against indigenous women, as well as the breakdown of the community social fabric and the increase of extreme poverty, conditions which have become normal over time.
Three decades on from the signing of the peace Agreements, Indigenous people are still facing the economic, psychological, social and cultural consequences which gave rise to the conflict.
The state keeps institutional channels to reduce the inequality index is derived from the exploitation of ancestral land, systematic discrimination, limited participation in decision making spaces, and they criminalize and attack those who defend the human rights and collective rights of their communities.
Despite the adverse context, the government of President Bernardo Arevalo has driven measures seeking to reduce this historic divide and to strengthen recognition and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples.
We would highlight the compliance with the sentences of cases heard by the Inter American System of Human Rights, the approval and implementation of the public policy to protect human rights defenders, the approval of the reparations and dignity plan for the victims of the internal armed conflict, and the approval of the humanitarian search mechanism for the disappeared during the internal armed conflict.
These actions reflect an institutional commitment to moving towards a more inclusive democracy to strengthen the rule of law and to consolidate public agenda that is based on human dignity, historic memory, and the justice and respect for human rights of the indigenous peoples.
Thank you.
I thank you.
I now give the floor to Human Culture.
It is a joint statement with Maasai Society of Dorgoro Conservation Area.
Human Culture, you have the floor.
If you are in the room, you have the floor.
Otherwise, I move to the next speaker on the list.
Sorry.
I'm here.
I was waiting in line.
Thank you, Chair.
My name is Stephanie Zabriski, Founder and Executive Director of Human Culture.
This joint statement is delivered on behalf of Human Culture and the Masah Society of the Gaboro conservation area.
We welcome the expert mechanism study on the rights of indigenous peoples in conflict and post conflict situations.
We wish to emphasize that conflict prevention begins long before violence occurs.
The Mesah Society affirms that our customary governance systems continue to function today as living institutions that prevent conflict under increasing climate pressures.
Through governance of mobility, access to water and grazing, elder led mediation, and collective decision making, these institutions reduce competition over scarce resources, strengthen social cohesion, and enable communities to adapt peacefully during periods of environmental stress.
These systems are not informal practices existing alongside governance.
They are governance.
They are living peace infrastructure.
When indigenous governance systems are weakened, displaced, or bypassed without free prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples, these institutions that prevent conflict are weakened as well.
We call upon the expert mechanism to recognize indigenous governance systems as essential peace infrastructure within its guidance on conflict prevention, to recommend that states protect and strengthen these institutions through the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to recognize indigenous peoples as leaders in climate adaptation, conservation, and peace building across their lands and territories.
Recognizing indigenous governance is not only a matter of rights, it's an investment in preventing conflict before it begins.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Cos Kumer Drew de Novel Caledoni joint settlement with Drew Customary Council, New Caledonia, Natar Karaki Kank and Socialist National libération Front, Drew Protestant Church of Kanaki, New Caledonia.
If you are in the room, you have the floor.
Monsieur President.
Good morning, Chairman, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, experts.
I'm speaking on behalf of the customary Kara people, the Arakan and Socialist libération Front, and I'm speaking regarding the fight for self determination.
Opinion number 19 affirms that peace is indsociable from self determination in Western Papasa this writers denied the National Strategic Project of Muchi covers over 2 million hectares, Mu, Quaa and Yea people are not being given free prior informed consent as required by articles 1019 and 32 of the Declaration between January 2024 and June 2025, 22,000 hectares of natural ecosystems have been destroyed.
Contravening Article 30.
On the 1st of July 2024, an individual was executed indigenous woman was killed in the same circumstances these facts violate Article 7 of the Declaration and the International Court of Justice has recorded this in 1971 in their ruling on Namibia versus regarding a violation of Erg Omnis norm.
No state Can violate this as well as a relevant resolution from the Security Council imposing strengthened protection for indigenous women in conflict situations.
We call on the mechanism to classify these facts regarding paragraphs 3, eight, and 13 of opinion 19.
We call on them to remind the state of their obligations under the Vienna Convention.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Australia.
Thank you, Chair.
Adré the root causes of conflict through inclusive peace building practices is foundational for peaceful societies and is a priority for Australia.
Australia joined the UN Peace Building Commission for the 2025 to 2026 term.
Chair, we are advancing discussions on how indigenous peoples can build and sustain peace and strengthen the peace building architecture.
For over 65,000 years, Australia has been home to the oldest continuing civilization on Earth.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were Australia's first diplomats, peacemakers, and peace builders.
We must consider how our dialogues and decision making can be strengthened by the intergenerational knowledge and lived experience of indigenous peoples, particularly in relation to conflict prevention and resolution.
In our region, indigenous peoples are contributing to broader efforts to promote a peaceful, prosperous and resilient Indo Pacific.
The cultural connections between First Nations Australians and the peoples of the Blue Pacific are deep, longstanding, and unique.
Stretching back through time, the Torres Strait was a place of movement, exchange, and kinship between Torres Strait Islanders and the people of Papua New Guinea's Western province.
This connection was formerly recognized in 1978 with the signing of the Torres Strait Treaty, a landmark agreement that allowed traditional inhabitants to continue their way of life across borders.
The Torres Strait Treaty fosters peace by enabling cooperation, cultural continuity, and shared stewardship across the Australia Papua New Guinea border.
Australia believes that indigenous peoples have a role to play in global peace building efforts, and we encourage ERIP to continue to provide their expertise in this area.
Thank you, Chair.
I thank you.
I now give the floor to International Committee of Indigenous Peoples of Russia.
Distinguished chair.
I'm called Andre Danielov as a Sami from a protector of the rights of Indigenous people in 2020.
I wanted to take part in the work of the UN First, I couldn't because of the pandemic, then I had to leave Russia and Hawi was given refuge in Finland among my Sami brothers.
This item of the agenda has direct practical significance for indigenous peoples.
It says that conflict is not direct violence for indigenous peoples.
Conflict can also mean loss of lands, loss of security, dignity, and their political voice.
The Russian Federation, that problem is particularly acute.
In times of conflict, the security of indigenous peoples faces added pressure and human rights defenders risk being accused for peaceful words for activities of protecting land.
I want to draw particular attention to the case of Sami defenders and call for their release.
These cases show how terrorism can be used against protectors of the rights of indigenous peoples.
The decisions on the lands of indigenous people should not just be based on military extractive interests.
I call on the mechanism to call on the state to not manipulate national security interests against the rights of indigenous peoples and call for solutions for the lands of indigenous people and their future.
We welcome the UN voluntary Fund for Indigenous peoples for giving the possibility to take part in this session.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the organization Mileia Asana Noma de Panagu You have the floor.
Thank you very much indeed, Chairperson, my name is Clayton Valentin Chumpate.
I'm a Nazi Geng representative of the organization Milliniachin Nina from Peru in our territories where our peoples live.
The consequences of the internal armed conflict, which occurred 1980-2 thousand have still not been properly dealt with.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission recognized that indigenous peoples were most affected among the sectors that were most affected by violence, forced displacement, and the destruction of our communities.
Today, we continue to face the threats of drug trafficking and armed violence which endanger our lives, our territories.
And the work of indigenous human rights defenders against a backdrop of limited state protection.
Moreover, recent legislative normative changes, broadening the competence of the military police sphere and amending treatment and punishment for serious human rights violations are bringing about concern, vis the risk for impunity and backsliding in the rights to choose justice and reparations.
These concerns are made worse by the current political context with Fuji Maris in now coming back to power, promoting measures, weakening the progress made in terms of human rights and transnational justice.
We therefore request ERP to urge the Peruvian state to ensure independent and impartial justice, to implement comprehensive reparation measures for the indigenous peoples affected by the armed conflict, to strengthen protection for indigenous peoples and their defenders and to guarantee measures of non repetition promoting memory spaces, preserving truth and historic memory for future generations.
Without truth, justice, reparations, and guarantees of non repetition, there can be no lasting peace.
Thank you very much.
All right.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Russian Federation.
Distinguished Chairman, the theme of the study of indigenous people in conflict and post conflict situation is very important.
It requires impartial de politicized approaches and work with facts.
The situation in the Russian Federation is inaccurately reflected.
Paragraph 36 completely ignores the root causes of the conflict in Ukraine.
They Cité conclusions without evidence and clearly unsubstantiated information.
Paragraph 58 and 78 are based exclusively on claims by NGOs who are well known for their destructive activities.
Russia, like any state must curtail any terrorist activities aimed at violating the sovereignty or territorial integrity of the country.
The truth of the work of NGOs mentioned in 58, which moreover is based outside Russia has nothing to do with the rights of indigenous peoples as incompatible with human rights activities as a whole, for that reason.
Indigenous peoples in Russia in line with their public collective statements have view their activities against the constitutional basis of their state as a threat to their sustainable development.
Our country has its own historic experience of recognizing the activities of indigenous peoples.
That approach has allowed us to maintain their number, their traditional form of life, sustainability and self government over centuries.
We are advocates for constructive depoliticized dialogue with international mechanisms.
Moreover, we believe in the importance to clearly abide by existing UN patterns for division of labor in line with which issues of ensuring peace and security lie exclusively with the UN Security Council.
The Em breach of its mandate undermines trust in the mechanism and its studies.
Thank you.
I thank you.
I now give the floor to Doran.
You have the floor if you are in the room.
Wait.
Monsieur Le Pres.
Chair, thank you very much indeed for this opportunity.
I represent the pastoral people of Burkina Faso, the Pol people, and I'm taking the floor to raise the concerns of the Pol community.
We've contributed to the study already when it comes to the conflict situation in Burkina Faso.
I just wanted to tell you that Burkina Faso since 2015, has been experiencing a conflict situation linked to the fight against terrorism.
Unfortunately, The current situation in Burkina Faso is such that the community are being discriminated against when it comes to the fact that it's a pastoral people.
The conflict which is gripping Burkina Faso began in the lands where these people tend to reside.
This situation has brought about massacres.
Since 2019, we've been documenting the situation in Uurgua and we have seen over 210 deaths for men who have been killed by government militia and this list didn't stop it just in Urugua.
From 2019 to date, we have documented thousands of people being killed.
Not only by the pro governmental militia who are called VDP today, but also by the Burkina Army itself, unfortunately.
Today, we have documented thousands of displaced persons within the country and thousands of displaced persons who have gone to Cordiva to Ghana to Benin, to Togo and even so far as Mauritania, unfortunately.
The people are facing a traumatic situation and we want this study and the experts to continue to pay attention to the plight in Burkina but also in Mali.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Ontario Native Women's Association.
The Ontario Native Women's Association is here amplifying the collective voices of over 35 indigenous women's agencies.
We are pleased to see the acknowledgment of the sacred roles of Indigenous women and youth and calls to ensure a full, effective, and meaningful participation in peace, reconciliation, and security decision making processes.
We emphasize considerations impacting indigenous women and youth and offer two recommendations to strengthen the study.
First, we recommend MRIP urge member states to include indigenous women and youth in all stages of decision making related to resource development.
Indigenous women have a responsibility to care and protect Mother Earth in all of our relations.
This is foundational to our future as indigenous people.
This also puts us at an increased risk for violence as we are at the forefront of land defense.
It is imperative that indigenous women's inherent rights and safety are upheld and member states do not use the current geopolitical climate and economic development goals to justify overriding their legal responsibilities.
Second, we recommend MRIP urge member states to show leadership by taking up their responsibilities to advance human rights through action.
As the world turns its focus to economic stability, and many states are stepping back from their human rights obligations.
Member states have an opportunity and responsibility to demonstrate leadership through concrete Concrete commitment to protect the safety and rights of indigenous women through action.
Studies like this one demand the corresponding action.
Member states like Canada must develop effective domestic mechanisms to advance the implementation of recommendations related to indigenous women's rights and safeties.
Miguch Mana, Marci, awa.
Thank you.
All right.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the Philippines Commission on Human Rights.
Sal Moko, in conflict and post conflict situation in the Philippines, indigenous people's rights have been often violated and abused.
Massive displacements have occurred where indigenous peoples were forced to leave their ancestral domains to flee armed conflict, such as in the cases of indigenous peoples in ****** Occidental and Bookinn province.
Even after the cessation of hostilities, indigenous communities are often not meaningfully consulted in post conflict reconstruction and development projects implemented within their ancestral domains.
Such practices undermine their rights to their ancestral lands and territories and disregard the requirement of free, prior, and informed consent.
National Human rights institutions such as the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines are vital and visible partners of communities in their areas, thereby strengthening the protection of the environment against abuses and violations.
AHRIs are also able to document the stories and lived experiences of indigenous peoples who have suffered human rights violations.
Such documentation enables NHRI to develop evidence based recommendation for states to formulate policies and programs aimed at protecting the indigenous people's rights.
Furthermore, IntRIs help empower indigenous communities through educational sessions, capacity building activities, and dialogues, enabling them to continue advocating for the promotion and protection of their rights, while the state bears the primary responsibility to protect, respect, and fulfill indigenous people's rights, as affirmed under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, our commission plays a vital role in bridging indigenous communities and state authorities by monitoring the human rights situation, facilitating dialogue, and advocating for rights based and culturally appropriate responses.
Thank you.
I thank you.
I now give the floor to Canada.
Thank you, Chair.
Canada welcomes the ERP Study on the rights of indigenous peoples in conflict and post conflict situations.
Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples requires concrete measures to address injustices, combat prejudice, and eliminate all forms of violence.
We remain committed to implementing the women Peace and Security agenda through Foundations for Peace, Canada's Third National Action Plan, addressing conventional understandings of security threats as well as emerging ones such as those related to climate change and Arctic sovereignty.
The plan supports women and gender diverse peace builders, human rights defenders, and women's rights organizations while advancing inclusive, intersectional, and indigenous informed approaches to prevention and response.
Conflict, violence, and social instability have specific and devastating consequences for indigenous women, girls, and twoSGBTQI plus people who face intersecting forms of discrimination and violence.
Despite this, indigenous women continue to lead movements for peace and rebuild their communities, contributing to more resilient peace globally.
Through international assistance programs such as women's voice and Leadership, Canada supports indigenous women in conflict affected regions to address gender based violence, strengthen advocacy, and protect rights to land, territories, and resources, including through engagement in national and international forums.
Such support underscores indigenous led approaches to conflict prevention, recovery, and sustainable peace as highlighted in the draft study.
Canada recognizes that advancing the rights of indigenous peoples internationally must go hand in hand with continued efforts at home to address ongoing impacts of colonialism.
Canada welcomes ERP's advice and appreciates the opportunity to listen and learn throughout this session.
Thank you.
I thank you.
I now give the floor to organization Maya We Kamil.
You are in the room, you have the floor.
Yes, you have the floor.
You can take the floor.
Distinguished Chair members of the mechanism participants.
Our organization thanks the Em to be able to hear from the brothers and sisters who come from reports from their countries and we're grateful to allowing me to represent my organization in this forum.
Armed conflict and other forms of violence have disproportionately affected indigenous peoples, leaving consequences that transcend generations and continue to impact our communities.
Building lasting peace requires recognizing these realities and ensuring that reparation processes meet the needs and rights of indigenous peoples based on Articles two and five of ILO Convention 169 and Article 78 and 28 of the Under it states have a responsibility to protect the integrity of indigenous people, safeguard their cultural identity, and guarantee reparation measures when their rights have been violated.
Reparation should go beyond just material compensation.
It also means strengthening historical memory, revitalizing indigenous cultures and languages, promoting effective participation of communities in rebuilding processes and generating conditions that enable new generations to evolve with dignity, identity, and hope.
We respectfully call on the mechanism to continue promoting approaches based on peace, justice, and reconciliation that place indigenous peoples as fundamental actors in building more inclusive, resilient, societies that respect human rights more.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Congress Model Amazik.
Monsieur President, Chair Mechanism members.
Good morning.
The Congress welcomes the study on the rights of indigenous peoples conflicts conflict in post conflict situations.
It reflects the reality of the Amazig of North Africa faced with structural conflicts and grave violations of their rights, even though no war has been officially declared in Kabili, high militarization is accompanied by an anti terrorism arrangements used to repress the indigenous population, arbitrary arrests, and mass imprisonment and death penalties.
Have hit many Kabila while the national security forces control roads, villages, agricultural land and restrict access to our forests.
The mining project of Salhams in Kabila also illustrates grave violations of indigenous peoples rights imposed under a high security presence, leading to exploitation of land, failure to respect ethnic as well as harassment and criminalization of villages and human rights defenders defenders of indigenous resources.
Asi remain deprived of their ancestral lands, the collective land rights, and their collective participation in decision making on their own resources.
These are all been violated.
This exploitation is accompanied by growing militarization, security pressure and pressure on human rights defenders and indigenous people's defenders.
The Amasy Congress calls on the states of North Africa to recognize the Amazik as an indigenous people and to fully implement the und particularly the right to self determination towards them, to their lands and resources, as well as implement ethic.
We also call for the immediate release of all prisoners of opinion and place the Kabila under UN protection.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Inuit circumpolar Council.
An chair.
My name is Sa Osi and I speak as chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council.
ICC commends EBRP for the excellent draft study on conflict and post conflict situations.
We also thank all who contributed to the 2025 seminar.
ICC agrees that peace must be understood not merely as the absence of conflict, but as the presence of conditions that enable the realization of rights and dignity.
The changing world order requires us to rethink conflict, post conflict and possible pre conflict.
We recommend that the study addresses hybrid warfare, including influence warfare.
Disinformation, misinformation, and the rise of artificial intelligence pose new threats requiring new responses.
There's a clear link between access to information, AI, disinformation, misinformation, and the right to free prior and informed consent.
Influence warfare aimed at undermining institutions, misleading societies, or disrupting social cohesion may specifically target indigenous peoples.
To uphold indigenous people's rights in hybrid warfare situations, access to reliable information, including from intelligence services is critical and should be further addressed in the study.
Exercising our inherent right to self determination is central.
In recent years, we have seen growing interest in our Arctic homelands and resources.
In some cases, this has been expressed in ways that undermine the peaceful, dignified, and diplomatic relations in it and other Arctic indigenous peoples have helped build in our region.
Mr.
Chair, in response to the situation related to Kash Nunat Greenland, ICC reiterates that there is no such thing as a better colonizer.
Galasd Nounad is a sympol of a broader global change, one that reaches into the foundations of international law and the multilateral system we rely on here today.
We thank all who continue to stand with ICC, Inuit, and the people of Galasd Nounad in upholding international law, mutual respect and multilateral cooperation.
I thank you, Koyank, Mr.
Chair.
I thank you.
It has come to our attention that some people are taking pictures in the room, and I would like to remind you about our rule.
According to the UN rules, distribution of any materials as well as the use of photography or other forms of recorded equipment is prohibited in this room except for accredited members of the media.
I kindly remind you to follow the rule.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Japan.
Thank you, Chair.
In regard to the draft study by the expert mechanism submitted to this session, Japan would like to explain its basic position regarding Okinawa with particular reference to paragraph 70.
Okinawa Prefecture, like other regions of Japan has unique and rich culture and traditions that are highly valued and respected.
The government of Japan, however, is not of the view that people born in Okinawa are indigenous people or that they are part of an indigenous ethnic group, nor is such are being widely recognized in Japan.
In fact, voices of protest have been raised in several municipal assemblies in Okinawa stating that it is incorrect to recognize people born in Okinawa as indigenous people or as belonging to an indigenous ethnic group.
Japanese people living in or born in Okinawa Prefecture are Japanese nationals on an equal basis with all other citizens and their rights as Japanese nationals are guaranteed wholly and without distinction.
Concerning the series of issues pertaining to PFS referred to in paragraph 70, the government of Japan is aware of the serious concerns of local residents about PIFS.
To address those concerns, we are steadily taking action based on scientific findings and sharing relevant knowledge and information with the public.
We will continue to pursue a unified and comprehensive approach to this issue.
The government remains committed to working to ensure that effective environmental measures are taken both inside and outside the facilities and areas of the US forces, Japan, under the Japan US status forces Agreement, the environmental supplementary agreement, and other related agreements and arrangements.
Finally, the government of Japan requests that our position and the relevant facts be accurately and appropriately reflected in the draft study in an objective and balanced manner.
We stand ready to engage constructively with MRP.
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Asia Indigenous Peoples Caucus.
You have the floor.
Thank you, Chair, for giving us this opportunity to speak here.
We thank expert mechanism on the rights of Indigenous people for its important study highlighting the disproportionate impact of conflict on indigenous peoples, including violence, displacement, environmental degradation, the erosion of culture and governance systems, and increasing pressure linked to climate change and competition over natural resources.
We also appreciate the recommendations provided to states on protecting the rights of indigenous peoples in conflict and post conflict situation.
The study correctly recognizes that indigenous peoples are disbly affected by conflict due to historical injustices and ongoing political and economic marginalization across Asia.
Indigenous peoples maintain a profound relationship with their ancestral lands, territories, and resources, yet they continue to face systematic discrimination, particularly regarding land rights, self determination, health, governance, and security.
Many Asian countries, indigenous peoples are still not constitutionally recognized, leaving them without adequate legal protection in conflict and post conflict situations.
The failure to recognize indigenous land rights, respect the right to self determination, and impri the right to free, fair and informed consent has contributed to land disposition, forced displacement, militarization, criminalization, and violence against indigenous communities, and human rights defenders.
We suggest on this study is The following paragraph 52, the sentence, similarly, the non implementation of Bangladesh CSD Accord of 1997 is affecting the Zuma people's internal self determination and enduring a durable peace in the region.
Paragraph 61, proposal to amend second line in parts of Africa and Asia, the Southeast and to aid.
Thank you.
Thank you.
You've exhausted your time.
I now give the floor to Ukraine.
Thank you, Chair.
Ukraine welcome the expert mechanism study on the rights of indigenous peoples in conflict and post conflict situations.
At the same time, we regret the study gives only limited attention to the situation of the indigenous peoples of Ukraine under the Russian Federation's temporary occupation.
While it notes the disproportionate impact of Russia's war on indigenous peoples within the Russian Federation, it doesn't adequately reflect the systematic and longstanding violations committed against the indigenous peoples of Ukraine.
More than a decade, the Russian Federation has pursued policies aimed at dismantling the representative institutions, suppressing the identity, and silencing the voices of the indigenous peoples of Ukraine, particularly Crimea Tatar people.
The continued ban on damage li of the Crimea Tatar people in defiance of the legally binding order of the International Court of Justice remains one of the clearest examples of the denial of an indigenous people's right to self governance and political representation.
The findings of the UN human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine continue to document arbitrary arrests, politically motivated prosecutions, enforced disappearances, house raids, torture, ill treatment, and the unlawful transfer of detainees from occupied Crimea to the territory of the Russian Federation.
Crimea tatars remain disproportionately targeted by these repressive practices.
Situation in Tempo occupied Crimea demonstrates that attacks on indigenous peoples of Ukraine are not incidental consequences of armed conflict.
They are often deliberate instruments of occupation and depression aimed at erasing identity, dismantling representative institutions, and consolidating unlawful control over occupied territory.
Therefore encourage the expert mechanism to give greater attention to situations of occupation in its future work and to continue documenting violations against indigenous peoples of Ukraine living under occupation in line with international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
I thank you.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to National EU chairs Forum.
Tako Kara, Macy Duxfied on behalf of the National Tribal Chairs Forum representing 87 tribes of Altira and New Zealand.
We welcome the expert mechanisms decision to undertake this important study and recognition that conflict affecting indigenous peoples is not confined to situations of armed violence.
Conflict can emerge through the gradual erosion of rights, exclusion from decision making, and failure to honor treaties and agreements between indigenous peoples and states.
Peace requires honoring commitments that indigenous peoples and states have made to one another.
In Alta, Triti or Waitangi is our constitutional agreement signed in 18 40 with the British Crown.
It is not being honored.
Our 2026 annual monitoring report documents recent legislative and policy developments, deliberately and systemically weakening rights and treaty provisions, indigenous participation and decision making, and many long established rights protections.
Conflict prevention requires more than responding after relationships have broken down.
It requires governments to uphold treaties, constitutional agreements, and indigenous rights before tensions escalate.
It requires meaningful participation through indigenous representative institutions.
It requires free, prior and informed consent.
We ask that the expert mechanism include within its final study greater recognition that structural erosion of indigenous rights, constitutional relationships, and democratic participation constitute early indicators of civil conflict.
We encourage the expert mechanism to identify treaties, constitutional partnerships, and indigenous led governance as important mechanisms for preventing conflict, and building peaceful, inclusive societies, Namahiy.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to International Indian Treaty Council.
We congratulate MRIP on this comprehensive study and agree that the dividing line between conflict and so called post conflict is not clear or real for indigenous peoples.
The primary cause of conflict for our peoples continues to be appropriation of our lands, waters, and other resources, which began in the Americas on October 12, 14 92, when Christopher Columbus landed in the Caribbean Islands.
My Yaqui nation was at war with Mexico until 1939 when we concluded a treaty called the decreto of President Las Cards, recognizing our rights to at least part of our traditional lands and half of the water in the Yaqui River in perpetuity.
However, we are currently confronting a new source of conflict as Mexico is proposing expanded lithium mining in the name of green energy, which will deplete and further contaminate the Sonora desert groundwater that feeds the Yaqui River, our life's blood.
This study recognizes the failure by states to implement provisions of the UN Declaration which affirm land and resource rights, free prior and informed consent, and criteria for just bilateral resolution of continuing conflicts.
The UN Declaration also affirms the essential role of treaties in achieving strengthened partnerships with states.
We call upon MRP to advise the Human Rights Council to hold a fourth UN treaty seminar.
On treaties and agreements in relation to the 20th anniversary of the Declaration, affirming the vital role of treaties, including those concluded in the first wave of colonization in resolving conflicts and addressing treaty violations occurring in the name of green energy and transition mineral mining.
Thank you, Chia.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Indonesia Thank you, Chair.
I thanks to the expert mechanism for this study.
We share its conviction that lasting peace rests on justice and participations.
We're committed to the objective of UNDRIP, understood that it's been consistently interpreted and implemented with Article 46 of the declarations which safeguards the territorial integrity and political unity of states.
In our archipelago, the population that remained after colonization is entirely native born in one nations.
Within that unity, we respect our diversity, which is why our constitutions in the same spirit as UNDRP recognize the rights of our adult law communities or customary law communities.
We advance this right through our diplomacy at WIPO, the CBD and the Nawa Protocol, consistently championing for the access and benefit sharing of the genetic resources and traditional knowledge of those communities.
We act as home as well, recognizing customer forests region by region.
In NC, eight were designated in 2023, restoring to our added Lao communities, and lost during the conflict years.
These what make peace what peace makes possible.
In that light, we turn to two references in the study, paragraph 28 and 53.
We think that it rests on single external submissions and an updated framing, identifying good practices within MIPS mandate, but reopening the political status of state is not.
These paragraph do not belong to the study and HS piece should instead appear among its good practices.
We also need to address the intervention that referenced my country previously.
We need to make clear that this mechanism provides guidance on the declarations, but has no authority to classify states conduct, let alone to treat this recommendation as standard for adjudications.
We believe this forum exists to advance the declaration and we stand ready to contribute to that aim.
In that same constructive spirit, we underscore the progress in Papua, where native Papuan governors now by law, customer leaders sit in the Papuan People's Assembly and special autonomy is expanding health adications.
We will continue to protect our customary law communities at home and abroad and look forward to contributing to these sessions discussions on AI, the 20th anniversary of UI, and linguistic diversity.
Thank you.
I thank you.
I now give the floor to Joint Retreat Santa Cameroon.
If you are in the room, please you have the floor.
Yes.
Mr.
Chair, distinguished members of the expect mechanism, Excellencies, and distinguished delegates.
My name is Abigail Du and I have the honor of delivering this statement on behalf of the Joint Retreat Center, and Inicate based nonprofit organization and the Joint Retreat Center Cameroon Association.
I serve as the organization's designated policy representative through Global Divide, a policy consultancy supporting equitable participation for Global South NGOs in UN policy processes, and I thank the expert mechanism for the opportunity to contribute to this important discussion.
Organizations work alongside indigenous and local communities in the Northwest region of Cameroon, where years of armed conflict has disrupted education, health care, livelihoods, infrastructure, and access to essential services.
Despite these challenges, indigenous communities, traditional leaders, women, youth faith faith organizations, and local volunteers continue to demonstrate resilience and strong commitment to peace and recovery.
Our experience shows that sustainable peace and is strengthened when indigenous people are recognized as active partners in rebuilding their communities.
Community led initiatives in peace building, education, vocation training, women's empowerment, youth leadership, sustainable agriculture and local governance help restore trust and strengthen resilience.
We respectfully encourage continued support for approaches that promote the meaningful participation of indigenous peoples in decisions affecting their communities, improve access to essential services, sustainable livelihoods, and resilience infrastructure, strengthen local peace building and mediation and reconciliation efforts that respect indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage, and build transparent, accountable institutions, and equitable international partnerships that empower local communities.
We also encourage continued collaboration among member states, United Nations mechanisms, Indigenous Reps.
Thank you.
You've exhausted your time.
I now give the floor to Win Sports International.
Respectful greetings to all.
Mr.
Chairman, we share our experience from Canada.
While we affirm Canada's commitments to implementing the UN Declaration through federal and provincial legislation, Canada's contribution omitted the structural conflicts affecting indigenous peoples in Canada today and Canada's extraterritorial obligations were Canadian resource extraction outside may indeed contribute to conflict.
We recommend two examples for inclusion.
Firstly, the government of Alberta has recently amended its legislation to facilitate a citizen initiated referendum on separation from Canada over unified opposition from First Nations whose treaties with the Crown cannot be unilaterally severed.
Paragraph 49 of this study rightfully frames indigenous self determination as a key asset for territorial integrity and security.
A threat to territorial integrity in Canada is not coming from indigenous peoples.
Secondly, Fast Track resource extraction legislation, the Federal One Canadian Economy Act, as addressed here last year, together with the recent sala and Cochin decisions, exemplify the structural conflict identified in this study as paragraph 28 affirms, unresolved questions of political status and self determination remain a persistent source of conflict.
We welcome the advice from the expert mechanism that states should adopt comprehensive rights based responses addressing these root causes in a holistic and preventative manner.
We respectfully submit two amendments for the final text.
Finally, we support the call just presented for a fourth International Treaty seminar.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Communad Hiurap Guaamari.
If you are in the room, you can take the floor.
We are here.
Thank you very much, Chair.
Thank you to the members of the Emiate.
Thank you to the guardians of the territories.
I'm from the Guatemari community in Argentina, a survivor, guardian, ancestor of life in the territory, exercising our rights to self determination, which today is being violated.
We've come to present violations of our rights, our spirituality, our cultural survival, our cause, is the fact that we're against the open air extraction and mining.
This mining project is negatively impacting above all our livelihood for future generations.
That's why we've come here today to request and to recommend to this August forum for this group of experts for the interpretation to interpose and to cite Article 19 of the UNDRIP and on that basis, call on the state of Argentina to recognize the territorial rights and indigenous autonomy guaranteeing epic in extractive projects.
We request the state to implement urgent measures with a view to suspending the territorial conflict generated by the San Jorge Mining Project so as to prevent violence against environmental indigenous defenders.
We ask the EMRIP to carry out a study into the extraction industry to assess also if those patterns and conducts could constitute You've exhausted your time.
I now give the floor to society for threatened people.
Thank you, Chair.
The expert Mechanism Study on the rights of indigenous peoples states Indigenous peoples more often than others suffer from conflicts and post conflict situations, including in cases of repression, intimidation of indigenous peoples have increased repression is becoming ever more harsh, including using terrorism and extremism legislation against human rights defenders of indigenous peoples.
In Russia, that practice is used to persecute representatives of indigenous peoples for their peaceful human rights activities and cooperation with UN mechanisms.
In Russia 17th of December 2025, there was arbitrary detention of Daria Yegreva the co chair of the International Caucus of Indigenous Peoples of the UN on climate change and Human Rights Defender of Indigenous Peoples, Natalia Leonard.
They are in custody for more than six months threatened with 20 year prison sentence, and the 17 other Indigenous activists were also underwent interrogation and the houses search, including myself, These people for their security were forced to temporarily leave Russia.
The General Assembly in Resolution 70 9159, condemn threats of persecution and deation of representatives of indigenous peoples, including against women and those who cooperate with the UN.
Freedom of cooperation with the UN is one of the fundamental human rights and the state is obliged to guarantee secure conditions for such activities.
We recommend to the MRIP to conduct a study into issues of criminalization representatives of indigenous peoples for cooperating with the UN, to brief the Human Rights Council and the Secretary-General on arbitrary detention of the co chairs of the International Caucus of International Peoples on the Climate Change Dad grave and Human Rights Defender Natalie Lean Gard.
We recommend to include their names on the report on repression.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Ishigai History Association.
It's a joint statementment with Japan Society of History Textbook, World Nadeso Association for pursuing historical truth.
Thank you, Chair.
My name is Azo Tomoyose.
I'm a member of the Isgaki City Council in Okinawa, Japan.
Paragraph 17 of the draft study state that peehos contamination has affected the health of the kan people.
We respectfully request that this sentence and Footnote one oh two be demoed.
The people of Okinawa are residents of Japan and should not be regarded as indigenous people.
The people issue is an MB environmental and public health issue.
It should not be present as an issue of indigenous peoples rights.
The Sach City Council has officially adopt a resolution calling for the withdrawal of the United Nations recommendation considering Idenous people in Okinawa.
This resolution reflects the decision of our democratically elected local assembly.
We ask three consider this resolution and demob paragraph 17 and Footnote one oh two.
Thank you very much.
I thank you.
Before continuing, I would like to recall that the United Nations promotes dialogue and exchange between different actors with a view to promoting sustainable peace, development, and human rights.
All participants are encouraged to contribute to MRIP in a spirit of constructive, multi stakeholder dialogue, keeping a focus on the theme of the discussion.
The meetings of the expert mechanism on the rights of indigenous peoples as any UN system event are guided by the IES ethical and professional standards, and all participants are expected to behave with integrity and respect towards all participants attending or involved with any meeting of MRIP.
We count on your cooperation to ensure that these standards are adheed to by all participants in this session.
We ask all participants to exercise decorum, avoid abusive or disrespectful language, or derogatory or inflammatory remarks.
Thank you.
I I give the floor to Counsel, Consumer De Ru Alliance, the Roya Canach floor This one.
Yeah, I do.
Distinguished indigenous and non indigenous members.
Good morning regarding the fight in New Caledonia for many years now to the detriment of our spirituality and philosophy.
With psychological and physical violations, there has been a stance taken by the Second French Republic on behalf of Napoleon.
We have seen exploitation of lands.
We have been deprived of our traditional voices.
There have been acts of genocide, ethnocide, and ecocide and because of the situation, we are living in a situation of generational collective trauma.
From the 60s onwards, the policies have been taking root and we have seen a situation of cyclical political conflict taking human lives.
Which has been coming to a head every 40 years across the country with the different successive governments of the French state and the libération front of the Kanas.
The last conflict dates from the 13th of May 2024 when New Caledonia was shaken by major riots linked to a new draft of the French constitution seeking to put an end to the electoral court for provincial elections and to call on more French residents to vote.
There were 16 deaths of young activists and two of Republican law enforcement officers.
Not to forget the collateral damage because all access to hospitals was barred.
After the recent conflict, the country lost over 1,000 businesses and we are in an unprecedented economic downturn.
We believe that we need to put in place new conflict resolution strategies between indigenous and non indigenous in terms of Thank you, you've exhausted your time.
I now give the floor to Colombian Mission.
Thank you, Chair.
Colombia welcomes the presentation of the study on the rights of indigenous peoples in conflict and post conflict situations.
Our country's experience has demonstrated that indigenous peoples have suffered disproportionate and differentiated impact as a result of armed conflict.
This has affected not only individuals, but also the very survival of the cultures, knowledge, systems, and ancestral ancestral territories.
We would highlight forced displacement, confinement, the recruitment of children and adolescents, structural discrimination and stigmatization, as well as threats to ways of life and the spiritual relationship with the land.
Colombia also recognizes that building sustainable peace requires effective participation of indigenous peoples in all phases of the processes of prevention, conflict resolution, and institutional rebuilding.
In this context, we would highlight the implementation of joint work developed with the high level special body of ethnic peoples as a formal participation space for ethnic peoples in the governance of the peace process.
Colombia reiterates its commitment to country wide peace with an ethnic approach and with full implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples.
Thank you very much.
I thank you.
I now give the floor to Foreign Mediterranean Pula Promoso de da de Situan It seems they are not in the room.
I proceed to the next speaker.
I give the floor to Thank you for giving me this opportunity to talk about the draft study on the rights of indigenous peoples in conflict and post conflict situations among the indigenous peoples in Brazil.
Although there is no declared international armed conflict, many of the peoples living on Brazilian territory suffer from serious violence and ongoing violence, which may well be considered to be conflict.
Particularly given the impunity, the Gani Kawa people are suffering from violence in their traditional territories due to the historic failings of the state in the different demarcation processes.
These are followed by deaths, police violence, and as the rapporteur on extrajudicial executions was able to verify in the recent country visit, pesticides have also been used as a chemical weapon.
Similarly, the Patasg people have seen their rights violated with extreme violence and deaths Given the unpunished action by armed militia groups, this extreme violence is undertaken with tolerance of the military police who have seen and borne witness to the attacks and have done nothing to prevent them.
Military police act to undermine the Constitution.
The Supreme Court delays its decisions on relevant cases and we therefore welcome paragraph three of the report, which also covers structural conditions with a systematic denial of access to essential needs for survival, subsistence, security, dignity, and ecological balance.
We would also suggest an analysis of the relationship between demarcation and protection of traditional lands as a conflict prevention measure.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Association Changan de France.
It's a joint statement with Association Chanosian De France, and Indigenous Chanosian people.
Since they are not in the room, I now give the floor to India.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
India takes note of the draft study of the expert mechanism.
We expected expert mechanism to base its study on the socioeconomic, cultural and historical realities of the countries it has quoted.
While India remains a committed supporter of the UN Declaration on the Rights of indigenous people, we emphasize that the concept of indigenous people as used in certain international conflict oriented discourses is inappropriate to India's unique civilizational history.
India considers its entire population at the time of independence and their successors to be historically indigenous.
It is unfortunate that India's counterinsurgency and counterterrorism framework, which are implemented after careful legal scrutiny has been mischaracterized in the export mechanism study.
India's approach has been development driven governance, democratic participation, and targeted socioeconomic programs that address root causes of unrest.
Furthermore, we strongly oppose any interpretation of the right to self determination that seeks to undermine the territorial integrity and political unity of sovereign democratic states.
In the context of international law, the right to self determination applies strictly to the peoples under colonial subjugation or alien domination.
It does not apply to citizens of sovereign democratic state.
In conclusion, India urges export mechanism to strictly adhere to its distinguished mandate and refrain from politicizing its important platform, and we reject references by intervening in the internal administrative, security, and constitutional affairs of sovereign member states.
We are constrained to reject the references made to India in the draft study, which do not accurately reflect our position on indigenous people.
I thank you.
I thank you.
I now give the floor to Geneve Poldois De Lom International.
Seems they are not in the room.
I give the floor to the next speaker Tinian Tinianan Seems Thank you.
I'm here.
Cars.
Good afternoon, Bj President.
Merci Chairman, thank you.
I wanted to congratulate the experts from the mechanism for the hard work that they're doing and also both outgoing and incoming chairs.
We commend the draft, we welcome the draft study.
On indigenous peoples in conflict and post conflict situations.
I do want to actually experts who continue to pay particular focus to indigenous peoples in conflict situations.
In this She, the armed conflict is bringing about not only displacements and losses of life, but also is breaking down indigenous governance systems that's interrupting and hindering the transmission of our knowledge and is also leading to erosion of our languages, cultural practices, our ecosystems, the environment, and even our very subsistence means.
Through the example of the Aragmu Project, we can show that an approach focused founded on the knowledge of indigenous peoples as well as healing strengthens communities resilience to conflict.
Indigenous peoples should not be considered to be just as victims, but rather as essential partners for conflict prevention, consolidation of peace, and restoration of territories.
It is vital that indigenous peoples in all of their diversity, including women and young and mediators of indigenous peoples be fully incorporated into conflict prevention efforts, mediation efforts, and peace consolidation and peacekeeping efforts in line with Article 41 of the Declaration.
We call on the expert mechanism to recommend that peace initiatives and peace building initiatives recognize representative institutions of indigenous peoples and ensure their full and effective participation in decision making processes.
Su indigenous initiatives strengthening the links between biodiversity, health, justice, reconciliation and pace.
Peace, we would recall lastly that peace is a fundamental determinant for health and constitutes one of the fundamental pillars of the United Nations.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Manitoba Kewawi Okiakawa.
Apologies for the pronunciation.
That was good.
Thank you.
The NGO Manitoba Keita, Nui kikank in Northern Manitoba, Canada, concurs in paragraphs 33 and 76 of the ERP draft study and advice, which notes that Canada has adopted a constitutional framework that recognizes and affirms existing aboriginal treaty rights, but that implementation remains inconsistent, generating legal and political tensions, particularly over interpretation and enforcement and that there are gaps in implementation and governance and tensions over treaty enforcement.
These inconsistencies and gaps are the source of significant and increasing conflict between Treaty First Nations and Indigenous peoples on the one part, and Canada, the provincial and territorial governments, project proponents and settler society on the other.
Recent national legislation enacted in 2025 through the Building Canada Act provides the government of Canada with the authority to unilaterally designate major energy infrastructure, and critical minerals projects as national interest project without consultation and without the free prior and informed consent of Treaty First Nations and indigenous peoples.
When designated as a national interest project, the government of Canada and provincial and territorial governments may fast track project approvals and have already entered into one project one review agreements, which will result in setting aside or suspending the treaty and constitutional protections of First Nation and Indigenous rights, as well as the procedural safeguards and protection of human rights and the environment.
We recommend that the ERAP draft advice be amended to include means to address conflict through the monitoring, verification, and reporting on the degree of the meaningful recognition, the constructive affirmation, and the meaningful exercise of the acknowledged rights of indigenous peoples.
Kinsa Masi Cho, Mr.
Chair.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund.
Thank you, Distinguished Chair.
My name is doctor Christine Dn Des Cleve.
I am enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, and I speak today on behalf of the Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund and our global partners in Africa, South America, and North America.
We work to protect spiritual indigenous medicines, biocultural, ways of life, and the rights of indigenous peoples whose knowledge systems, ceremonial practices, and traditional medicines are increasingly targeted by rapidly expanding global psychedelic industries.
Around the world, indigenous medicines and knowledge systems are being commercialized without our free, prior and informed consent.
Others profit from our medicines and our ceremonies while indigenous communities struggle to maintain our cultural survival and economic self determination.
The same time, psychedelic churches and new religious movements invoke religious freedom protections to gain access to indigenous medicines, ceremonies, and sacred knowledge without acknowledging the ethnocide, forced assimilation, cultural prohibition, and religious conversion that was inflicted upon indigenous peoples globally through colonization.
My doctoral research shows that the psychedelic movement is in fact ongoing colonization, inflicting harm upon indigenous peoples and extracting our indigenous resources and knowledge.
In this perpetuation of colonization, indigenous peoples bear the cost of resource depletion, cultural appropriation, and ecological harm while others accumulate wealth and influence.
This is an ongoing conflict situation for indigenous peoples, a contemporary form of colonial extraction in which indigenous medicines, knowledge, and spiritual traditions are transformed into commercial, religious, and pharmaceutical products for global markets.
UNDRIP affirms our right to maintain, control, protect, and develop our cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, medicines, and genetic resources, as well as our rights to economic self determination and spiritual relationships with our lands and territories.
We respectfully call upon member states and United Nations bodies to recognize these emerging forms of extraction.
Thank you, you've exhausted your time.
I now give the floor to AIPR.
Yes.
You have the floor.
Thank you, Madam Chair, Distinguished members of the expert Mechanism, Excellency's Indigenous representatives and colleagues.
Hi, Tag.
I'm Keita.
As the Association of Indigenous Peoples in the DQs, we sincerely thank the expert mechanism for this important study.
Building upon the finding of this study, we respectfully urge the expert mechanisms to strengthen advice number 23 on access to justice by recommending that State must not invoke jurisdictional fragmentation, military agreement, security arrangement, interagency transfer of responsibility, or their own failure or refusal to recognize indigenous peoples status as grounds to deny, delay, or deflect access to effective remedies.
A recent example from Okinawa illustrates why this is necessary.
Civil society organizations submitted inquiries concerning PFAS contamination to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Although the ministry had a dedicated Human Rights division, the matter was transferred to the division responsible for the US Japan Status of Forces Agreement, which responded that it could not address the issue because it fell within diplomatic and security arrangements.
This demonstrates a structural problem.
Human rights responsibilities exist formally, yet in practice, they are overridden by security and just jurisdictional frameworks.
As a result, no authority assumes responsibility, leaving indigenous peoples without effective remedies.
Without enforceable access to remedies, the rights affirmed in the US Declaration on the Rights of indigenous peoples cannot be fully realized.
Thank you very much, bid I thank you.
Before I continue, may I remind you again that according to the UN rules, distribution of any materials as well as the use of photography or other forms of recorded equipment is prohibited in this room except for accredited members of the media.
I think we're seeing this again, and I would like to retreate that we adhere to this rule of not taking pictures or recording people outside the accredited media personnel.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Society Anglo Tare Cervante orstic Apologies for the pronunciation.
Monsieur President.
German.
Thank you very much.
Allow me to erase certain points.
The first is a historical one.
For several African countries including Algeia there have been contexts of conflict and post conflict as a result of colonization and for some recolonization.
The consequences of these processes are still tangible in the regions, memory, languages, and heritage, and sometimes even state of health populations.
As a result of the repercussions of nuclear tests conducted in Algeria 60 or so years ago.
The second element choice is a geopolitical one.
International mechanisms must attempt to address the current context in a balanced way.
We cannot separate the defense of indigenous people's rights from control strategies which continue to affect many countries.
Whether they concern the fight for natural resources, economic dependence, or factors of external influence.
Thirdly, doctrine.
We believe it's vital to pursue a decolonization process of categories of the analysis in question.
Several of the notions used to describe peoples, territories, and identities have their origins in colonial anthropology.
The classifications therein corresponded to the dynamics of control and segmentation of colonized societies.
I won't hide from you that this type of historical discourse is almost anti historical and it's been heard here in this room in Geneva and elsewhere.
The application of the UN Declaration would see deeper integration if it took account of the specific historic context of each region, as well as the promotion of approaches that are based on governmental policies, national institutions, the rights related to language, scientific research, and engagement of concerned communities.
Our experience shows that it is possible to bring together recognition and promotion of the Algerian heritage, the development of indigenous languages, national cohesion, and respect for sovereignty of the state.
Thank you very much.
I thank you.
I now give the floor to Association, the Mujeres Bogates Indigenous.
Senor Presidente Chairman of the Association of Indigenous Women Lawyers, A Mai thanks the expert mechanism for this important study and expresses our thanks also to Incomindo for having made it possible for us to participate.
In Argentina, Indigenous peoples are facing structural conflicts as a result of the historic violations of our rights.
These have been exacerbated by a context of backslide in terms of human rights during the current government administration.
Although formally we are living in a democratic state, many indigenous communities are being severely restricted in terms of their access to rights, legal uncertainty over our lands, and the advance of the extractive industries, evictions and criminalization of indigenous peoples and representatives and the lack of free p informed consent brings about a situationgs of structural violence affecting our survival, both physical, cultural and spiritual.
Indigenous women suffer differentiated impacts.
The loss of territories also means the loss of water and food sovereignty, traditional medicines, and our ancestral knowledge.
Moreover, we're facing multiple forms of discrimination and violence because we are indigenous women.
Peace cannot just be boiled down to a lack of armed conflict for indigenous peoples.
Peace requires respect for free determination, protection of land, full exercise of human rights, and effective participation in all decisions affecting us.
We would request the Human Rights Council and states to implement the recommendations in this study and to strengthen protection for indigenous peoples and those who defend them.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Crimean Tatar Youth Center.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman, the Indigenousist Brussels.
My name is Im Kota and I represent the Indigenous Crimea people of Ukraine.
First of all, I would like to highlight the importance and timeliness of this study.
However, STN findings and formulations raise serious concerns.
In particular, I would like to comment on paragraph 36 and 78 of the report.
These paragraphs refer to information submitted by the Indigenous People's Organization regarding the situation of the Indigenous Crimea Tata people.
However, the basis information is reflected in the study risk creating a misleading impression that the challenges faced by the Crimea Tata people are issues concerning indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation, even if they are not explicitly mentioned in the study.
This approach overlooks a fundamental fact, the Crimean Tatars in the indigenous peoples of Ukraine and Crimea remains a territory of Ukraine under temporary occupation by the Russian Federation since 2014.
The Crimean Tata people do not recognize and have never supported the Russian occupation of Crimea.
Position is consistent with numerous UN General Assembly resolutions and other international legal documents.
The ban matched list, political persecution and forced disappearances, forced conscriptions, and many other crimes, including war crimes are not internal issue of the Russian Federation.
The consequences of the unprovoked military aggression, the unlawful occupation, and violations against indigenous peoples living under foreign control.
We therefore really call upon ERP to the relevant sections of the study to ensure full consistency with existing UN documents and international law.
Any formulation that obscures the legal status of Crimea risks contradicting established UN positions and may be misused to justify or normalize the consequences of the occupation, contribute to attempt to legitimize Russian aggression and ungant international crimes and undermine efforts aimed at accountability.
We hope that the final version of this study will accurately reflect the perspectives and experiences of the indigenous people rather than narratives advanced by the aggressor state.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to ACSIL We take note of the statements by the gentleman from Japan earlier, but do not have time to respond to the confabulated statistics nor a historical narratives they offered.
We indigenous DQ peoples welcome the inclusion of the DQan situation in the draft study and have two recommendations to add to the final version.
On page ten, paragraph 42, we recommend the addition of the language, In Okinawa, a referendum that voted against the construction of a new US military base was disregarded and construction persists.
We also recommend the addition of language to recommendation 17.
We ask that the draft report or that the final report read Should ensure that such measures are adequately resourced and are designed and implemented in partnership with indigenous peoples.
Recently, the Japanese government withdrew funding to remediate our water, which is contaminated by PFAS coming from military bases.
We look forward to the transmission of a study that includes the plights of the Cubans to the Human Rights Council.
We have the right to a clean, healthy environment, including our waters and the right to self determine if we want a new US military base, which we have repeatedly shown we do not.
Lastly, we urge member states to de escalate.
Indigenous peoples throughout East Asia are living in pre conflict situations, and we implore member states not to turn any more indigenous lands into battlefields.
I thank you.
I now give the floor to Assembly Armenian Armeni Occidental.
Memory is a contribution to international reflections on the protection of indigenous peoples that was conveyed to the Secretariat on 31 January 2026 examines situation of Armenian indigenous peoples of Western Armenia and Arzaq with respect to international law applicable to human rights, international humanitarian law and the protection of indigenous peoples and prevention of international crimes.
The analysis highlights the main allegations of violations of IHL, including enforced displacement of populations, violations of cultural and religious heritage, destruction of assets, destruction and restrictions on exercise of cultural rights, as well as obstacles to return of IDPs.
Examines the situations in light of international obligations for prevention, protection, investigation, reparation, guarantees of non repetition.
The study is based on the main international instruments, including the UN Charter, the Convention on the Prevention and Repression of the crime of genocide, the Geneva Conventions of 1949, and their additional protocols, the Hague Convention, 1954 for Protection of cultural assets in case of armed conflict, the International Convention on elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, as well as the UNDRIP.
The document also presents several historical and legal references considered as relevant in an analysis of the Armenian question, including the ruling of the Constantinople Military Tribunal seventh, July 1919, the provisions of the Sevres Treaty, tenth, August 1920, the arbitrary ruling handed down by President Woodrow Wilson on 22nd November 1920, as well as the evolution of international doctrine with respect to the clime of genocide in the light of work by Rafael Lemkin.
The study examines moreover relevant prudence of International Court of Justice, the ICC, and the European Court of Human Rights concerning obligations to prevent genocide, protection of cultural heritage, the right to return for IDPs, you've exhausted your time.
I now give the floor to Organisation Tait.
Yes, thank you Mayor.
I take the floor on the imminent organization.
The study devoted to the rights of indigenous peoples in situations of conflict and post conflict reminds us that conflicts aren't limited to armed confrontation.
They can also result from historical discrimination, exclusion, marginalization, absence of effective implementation of the rights of indigenous peoples.
In Morocco, despite legal progress, the embassy continued to face challenges for the full exercise of their rights, particularly when it comes to land, natural resources.
Participation in decision making as well as effective implementation of the linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic rights, an approach based on human rights, rights of indigenous peoples and dialogue remains essential for de escalating tensions, for preventing tensions, and building lasting peace.
We express also our solidarity with Nasa Sev Civy and his companions with Dari garva and many other indigenous detainees whose protracted detention highlights the importance of protecting human rights defenders and indigenous defenders from all forms of intimidation, reprisals, or arbitrary detention.
We recommend two states to implement fully and effectively the under to harmonize the national legislation with international standards, and of course, to guarantee full effective good faith participation of indigenous peoples in all decisions affecting their rights as per the principles of EPC.
We encourage the expert mechanism to continue its efforts to implement recommendations with respect to prevention of conflict, protection of HRDs and effective participation of indigenous peoples in peace and reconciliation processes.
Thank you.
I thank you.
I now give the floor to Corpcio Para El Delo Integral Qichawa.
It seems they're not in the room.
I now give the floor to Indigenous of Russia Foundation.
Here.
You have the floor.
Thank you, Chair.
For indigenous peoples living under the Russian Federation, conflict is not only a matter of armed violence.
It is a continuation of centuries of colonial domination.
The current war against Ukraine has intensified longstanding patterns of dispossession, forced sification and militarization of our communities.
Indigenous peoples from Sahara, Budtia, Tova, the North Caucasus, and many other regions have been disproportionately mobilized to fight for Ruskmr and die in a war they did not choose.
At the same time, our territories continue to face unchecked extractive industries, environmental destruction, and the erosion of our languages, cultures, and traditional ways of life.
Conflict also creates new barriers for indigenous human rights defenders.
Many of my colleagues and myself have been labeled as foreign agents, extremists and terrorists simply for peacefully advocating for indigenous rights and self determination.
Others have been forced into exile where they continue their work while remaining disconnected from their communities.
As ERP develops its advice on indigenous peoples in conflict and post conflict situations, we urge that post conflict recovery must not mean returning to the status quo that enabled colonial violence in the first place.
Sustainable peace requires addressing the root causes of conflict, including eternal colonialism, denial of indigenous self governance, and the exploitation of indigenous lands without FP.
We call on MRIP to recommend that states ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples in peace building and post conflict decision making, Pec indigenous human rights defenders and recognize that indigenous peoples are not merely victims of conflict, but rights holders with the knowledge and capacity to shape a just and lasting peace Martel.
Thank you.
I thank you.
I now give the floor to Atihiro.
You have the floor.
Distinguished experts, brothers and sisters.
I come on behalf of the Argentina, representing organizations in our tertiary conflict and post conflict implications if.
There's pollution of the water and toxic waste.
It's a current conflict affecting us.
Now, present and future generations, the theme affects our well being.
Therefore, we make the following recommendations to the Emirate.
Call on Argentina the state to effectively implement community law and implementation of the UNDRIP, stopping immediately the evictions taking place in the Guad any communities guarantee epic.
Through Articles ten, 21, 30, 32 of the UNDRIP on the rights of Indigenous peoples, which prohibits enforced disalayment and demands free prior informed consent for extractive activities, to protect the cultural survival and self determination of indigenous peoples in the face of looting of lands and urge MNCs, especially the Arauco Corporation, which is currently negatively affecting the Puntekmdads community in our region.
There's a need to stop expansion of work in lands respecting international human rights standards.
Not only do we defend the land, but our human existence and the existence of all human beings.
Thank you.
And thank you for giving us opportunity to be present here.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Co Coutu Alliance we've given the several times.
Apologies.
I think they were already given the floor.
President Members of brothers and sisters, on behalf of our organization, on behalf of the Kank people receive our customer greetings.
In K Society women play a central role in conflict resolution.
During the riots in 2024, they played this mediating role in the neighborhoods the family organizations and the church.
This contribution is institutionally invisible.
No study has documented the scope, no public policy organizes the organization provides security.
This has of course, a young Kanak woman who was the victims in 2024, bearing the brunt of masculine violence.
This is all part of incomplete decolonization.
New Caledonia remains a non autonomous territory under Chapter 11 of the UN Charter and resolution 15 14, 15 21, the Committee elimination of racial discrimination in Third Declaration in 2026, noted political reform conducted without the consultation of the Kanak people in violation of the irreversibility of the Numa Accords and transmitted to the Fourth Committee under Article 15 of the Convention, the Human Rights Committee, the CT and the National Advisory Commission of France on Human Rights of France have made converging conclusions, noting 32.5 Kanaks live under the poverty level compared to 9% of the rest of the population.
We urge the AMRP to recommend a visit and study for the establishment of a national plan bringing together Kanak women in conflict management, implementation of Resolution 13 25 in New Caledonian systematic inclusion of Kanak women in any regional or UN mediation arrangement.
I thank you.
I now give the floor to Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education.
Distinguish as parts as team delegates.
My name is doctor Ibran Zegarra.
I'm the Executive Director of Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education.
As stand here with the three indigenous delegates from Nigera Federal Capital Territa Buja to once again draw attention to the worsening human rights situation of the origahabitats.
At last year's 18th session, we reported that over 2 million indigenous people of Abuja faced systematic isolution, land disposition, political disenfranchisement, and kotratio.
Regrettably, their situation has deteriorated sharply over the past one year.
Abuja is often described as peaceful, yet indigenous people live in conditions of structural conflict.
In the past 12 months, settled demolitions have intensified across multiple communities, destroying homes, farms, cultural sites, and entire ester comps.
These actions have displaced families, erased livelihoods, and deepened fear and trauma.
These communities, the post conflict phase never arises.
There is still no restitution for lands taken since 1976, no compensation pa Supreme Court release, and no political representation as they remain unable to alert a governor or state legislature.
This year's EE focus on conflict, artificial intelligence, and indigenous languages is deeply relevant to Abuj's original habitants.
Oh, at A, I pose this new risk of data extraction without consent, reinforcing their invisibility in national statistics.
Yet AI also offers opportunities.
I graded indigenous data sovereignty to preserve languages, document violations as threatening advocacy.
Abuj's indigenous language and others are now at heightened risk of tition.
Demolitions have destroyed not all.
Thank you.
You exhausted your time.
I now give the floor to Palum National Indigenous Women Rights Alliance Institute.
You have the floor.
Yes, you have the floor.
Distinguished expert.
I'm from the ico people from the foundation of the Gu.
I come before you to condemn before from the grave situation in Ecuador between September, October 2025.
The government of Daniel Navo responded with a violent military intervention to an indigenous strike called by the Quanay after eliminating the subsidy for fuels, a measure which suffocated the economy of our indigenous agricultural communities.
The communities in the chu received as a state response criminalization.
Criminalizes terrorists and persecution.
This repression for indigenous brothers including Rosa and Big, they lost four indigenous people lost their lives due to projectiles and tear gas from military.
880 people were injured or maimed as a result in was injured by a projectile fired by the Ectorian security forces losing their left leg as a result.
We also have suffered a systemic pattern of institutional abuse through the imposition of continuous states of emergency, arbitrary detention, and the political repression.
225 political detainees What's happened in Ecuador wasn't a response to public order, but a systematic response against indigenous peoples who protected the fundamental rights.
Therefore, we respectfully urge this mechanism to urge the Ecuadorian state occupied by the vice presidency of the Human Rights Council to carry out an independent study investigation into the deaths, withdraw orders for persecution and ensure the physical integrity of human rights defenders who've witnessed these activities to avoid persecution and harassment, which is a tradition, which seems to be a customary practice of the government.
Thank you.
I thank you.
I now give the floor to International Walking Group for Indigenous Affairs.
If, if you are in the room, you can check the floor.
I now give the floor to Manitoba Federation.
Greetings.
My name is Klima, Chartier ambassador responsible for International Relations for the Manitoba Me Federation, the National Government of the Red River Meti in Western Canada.
I begin by thanking ERP for carrying out this study, which is thorough and well documented.
My government is especially pleased to see the broad understanding and approach taken as the basis of the study, including the acknowledgment that conflicts affecting indigenous peoples are rooted in historic injustices arising from colonization and the disposition of indigenous peoples from our lands and resources.
My people, the Red River Meti, continue to experience the adverse impacts of dispossession and continue to seek redress and reparations.
My government is also concerned about violations continuing to occur in the Americas in South and Central America, as the examples in the studies show, this violence and inequality are much too rampant.
In the recent case of the death of Brook Lynn Rivera, the Upa of the indigenous peoples of the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua, while under enforced state incarceration for almost three years to the rest of family members who tried to seek the return of his body for a proper traditional burial in his home village to the continued incarceration and persecution of many indigenous leaders, including Steadman ******, the United Nations, and the Organization of American States, must take more decisive action against that rogue country.
Thank you.
I thank you and I now give the floor to one more speaker.
I think we can accommodate two before we break for lunch.
I give the floor to Federacion Organization Indigena Rio *****.
Chairman, I speak on behalf of Indigenous peoples of Brazil and their representative organizations who are grateful for the development of the study into the rights of indigenous peoples in conflict and post conflict situations.
For indigenous peoples, conflicts aren't limited to scenarios of war.
They also manifest through invasion of territories, mining, and illegal extraction of minerals, the predatory exploitation of natural resources, violence against indigenous leaders, criminalization of human rights defenders and delays in demarcation, protection of traditional territories.
These conflicts compromise not just the security of communities, but also our ways of life, cultures, traditional knowledge.
We reaffirm the implementation of the undrip on the rights of indigenous peoples, and requires effective measures to prevent conflict and guarantee protection of indigenous territories and guarantee full effective participation of indigenous peoples in all decisions affecting them, respecting the right to epic We highlight the need to recognize and strengthen self governance, justice, and conflict resolution systems for indigenous peoples, valuing their knowledge and ability to promote peace, dialogue, and protection of territories.
Finally, we urge the study to recognize the fundamental role of indigenous women in conflict prevention, reconstruction of communities, and transmitting transitional knowledge, guaranteeing their effective participation in initiatives for peace building and protection of territories and human rights.
Thank you.
Exhausted your time.
I now give the floor to Ache Sumatra Indigenous People.
If you are in the room, please take the floor.
If not, I give the floor to Indigenous Women's Organization, North Women.
Thank you for giving us opportunity to speak, distinguished members of the mechanism.
I represent one of the smallest indigenous peoples in Russia the UK.
There are only 1,800 of us left.
The armed conflict launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine has had destructive impact on the status of peoples under threat of disappearance.
These peoples carry a disproportionately high losses as a result of mobilization and participation in the war.
For small number of indigenous peoples, the death of just one person is irreparable loss, threatening the extinction of whole languages and cultures.
The war has strengthened social problems in these regions, leaving families without breadwinner and depriving indigenous peoples of their future.
At the same time, we're seeing increasing pressure on those who peacefully protect the rights of their peoples.
Activists are under threat of criminal prosecution, arbitrary detention and restrictions on corporations with UN mechanisms.
Independent organizations of indigenous peoples continue to be liquidated.
We think that when studying this position of indigenous peoples in times of conflict, it's necessary to take into account cases when armed conflict is used to persecute indigenous defenders.
We urge the MRIP to continue monitoring the situation of indigenous peoples in the Russian Federation and urges the Russian authorities to immediately release Daria Yegova and Natalia Legard who are being prosecuted for peaceful human rights activities.
Thank you.
I thank you and let me take this opportunity to thank you all for your interventions and comments.
For now, we will break for lunch event and resume the session at 3:00 P.M.
We will then continue with the speaker's list for the same item.
So thank you and wish you a good lunch break.