The Permanent Forum takes note of the concerns expressed by the African Indigenous Peoples Caucus on the announcement by the World Bank in February 2014 of its intention to map Africa’s mineral resources by using satellites and airborne mineral surveys. The Forum calls upon the World Bank, African Governments, investor Governments and the private sector to disclose information about the “billion-dollar map” project, prior to any intervention and in a transparent manner, and requests that commitments to international norms and standards in relation to the rights of indigenous peoples be recognized and respected. The Forum also recommends that the World Bank involve indigenous peoples’ representatives in the mapping process and that indigenous peoples’ free, prior and informed consent be respected, consistent with articles 19 and 41 of the Declaration.
The Permanent Forum strongly urges the General Assembly to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The Permanent Forum recommends that non-governmental organizations, indigenous peoples’ organizations and academics undertake independent studies and investigations into the violations of indigenous peoples’ land rights through illegal land expropriation and exploitation and into the issue of land, forestry, tourism and mining concessions, including:(a)Recommendations on how the rights of indigenous peoples can be legally protected;(b)The degree to which Governments ensure free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples in the approval of land concessions and mining exploration licences over their traditional lands and forests;(c)The role of other States in the promotion of agri-business and extractive industries without the free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples;(d)The role of multinational agri-business and extractive industries; specifically, whether corporate social responsibilities have been fulfilled and social and environmental impact assessments have been undertaken prior to the commencement of development projects.
Indigenous peoples lack recognition, and face poor implementation of their
rights and flagrant violations of their rights and their lands, while the need for their free, prior and informed consent and the right to autonomy of self-government is disregarded by local businesses and transnational corporations in mining, logging, and oil and gas extraction, among other sectors. The territories and resources of indigenous peoples are seized and livelihoods are destroyed to the detriment of their knowledge, cultures and languages. In that respect, it is important to remind Member
States of their duty to protect.
The Forum expresses its great concern about the effects of armed conflict on indigenous women and children, and recommends that a workshop be convened with the framework of the 10-year review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in order to formulate strategies to protect vulnerable groups, such as indigenous peoples, especially taking into account the vulnerabilities of indigenous women and children. These strategies should incorporate capacity-building of indigenous women living in areas of armed conflict or in precarious circumstances.
The Permanent Forum reiterates its concern about information brought to its attention on continuing violations of human rights of indigenous peoples in various parts of the world, and calls upon all States to fully implement their obligations under the international human rights and humanitarian instruments. The Forum reiterates its call on States to recognize the rights of indigenous peoples constitutionally and legally, to strengthen their institutions for the promotion and protection of the human rights of indigenous peoples and to enhance awareness-raising and capacity-building efforts for government officials.
The Permanent Forum welcomes information from the Government of Bangladesh on progress towards the implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord. It calls upon Bangladesh to make further efforts towards full implementation of the Accord through constructive dialogue and cooperation with the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council, the three Hill District Councils and the Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Dispute Resolution Commission.
The Permanent Forum reiterates that indigenous peoples should report to the Forum on how they are implementing the Declaration in their own communities, thereby contributing to the growing evidence of how the principles enshrined in the Declaration are being practised.
The Forum expresses its appreciation to the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, and the Special Rapporteur on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples for their participation at its third session, and recommends that they pay special attention to the factors contributing to violence against indigenous women, especially domestic violence and sexual abuse.
The Permanent Forum recognizes and commends Australia and Colombia for changing their positions by endorsing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and calls upon the remaining States that are opposed to it, as well as those abstaining, to reverse their positions and endorse the Declaration so as to achieve full consensus.
The Forum encourages national committees for the Decade, where those exist, to invite members of the Forum to participate in the activities of these committees
The Permanent Forum recommends to ILO and its Governing Body that a technical expert meeting be organized to consider the drafting of a recommendation to supplement the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention.