Press release from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples is collecting information in preparation of her upcoming country visit to Denmark and Greenland which will take place from 10 to 19 March 2020. The emphasis of the visit will be on Greenland where the majority of the visit will be carried out.
Pursuant to her mandate by the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur promotes the effective protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, gathers good practices and challenges in terms of implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and makes constructive and concrete recommendations in relation to areas where there may be room for improvement.
In accordance with the established practice of mandate-holders, the Special Rapporteur welcomes all relevant submissions that indigenous organisations and other stakeholders may wish to transmit for her consideration in preparation of this visit, such as:
- Recent analytical reports or surveys relating to the mandate of the Special Rapporteur
- Information on relevant policies, programmes and legal framework
- Priority issues/concerns and situations that warrant the attention of the Special Rapporteur
- Suggestions on issues to examine and related locations to visit
- Contact info for organisations and representatives to meet in different locations
Among the topics the Special Rapporteur is particularly interested in receiving information on are inter alia climate change impacts, self-government, development, health and the situation of children and youth. Submissions on other topics are also welcomed.
Kindly submit information by 16 February 2020 to indigenous@ohchr.org. Please indicate “Visit to Greenland/Denmark” in the subject heading of the email submission.
Context and objectives of official visits
Special procedures country visits are an essential means to obtain direct and first-hand information, and to assess positive developments as well as challenges and gaps in the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples. They allow for assessment of the human rights situation and facilitate an intensive dialogue with all relevant State authorities, both at national and local levels of government. Country visits are based on engagement with, and information gathering from, indigenous representatives and organisations, individuals and communities affected by policy decisions, independent national human rights institutions, members of civil society, academia, international cooperation and international non-governmental organisations as well as UN agencies and entities.
All official visits are conducted in line with Human Rights Council resolution 5/2, entitled “Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate- holders of the Human Rights Council”, in particular article 11, and with the Terms of Reference for country visits.
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