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The Special Rapporteur is requested by the Human Rights Council to present two annual reports, one at one of its regular sessions in Geneva, usually in September, and the other at the General Assembly, usually in October. The Special Rapporteur’s annual reports include a description of the activities carried out during the year in the framework of the mandate, and will also normally include discussion of specific themes or issues of particular relevance for the rights of indigenous peoples.

On occasion, special reports to the Human Rights Council are produced by the Rapporteur in addition to the regular thematic reports. These are presented as addenda in the annual thematic reports, and also collected here.

Reports to the Human Rights Council

YearThemesSymbol number
2024Indigenous persons with disabilities A/HRC/57/47
2023Green financing – a just transition to protect the rights of Indigenous PeoplesA/HRC/54/31
2022Indigenous women and the development, application, preservation and transmission of scientific and technical knowledgeA/HRC/51/28
2021Indigenous peoples and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) recoveryA/HRC/48/54
2020Mandate impacts in favour of the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples. Observations on consultation processesA/HRC/45/34
2019Access to justice in ordinary and indigenous justice systemA/HRC/42/37
2018Attacks and criminalization of indigenous human rights defender. Availability of prevention and protection measuresA/HRC/39/17
2017Impacts of climate change and climate finance on indigenous peoples’ rightsA/HRC/36/46
2016International investment agreements, including bilateral investment treaties and investment chapters of free trade agreementsA/HRC/33/42
2015Rights of indigenous women and girlsA/HRC/30/41
2014Obstacles to the realization of indigenous peoples’ rightsA/HRC/27/52
 Addendum - Observations on communicationsA/HRC/27/52/Add.4
2013Extractive Industries and Indigenous PeoplesA/HRC/24/41
2012Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoplesA/HRC/21/47
 Addendum - Observations on communicationsA/HRC/21/47/Add.3
2011Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
Summary of activities
Extractive industries operating within or near indigenous territories
A/HRC/18/35
2010The situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peopleA/HRC/15/37
2009Coordination with United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of the Human Rights Council; Analysis of the duty of States to consult with indigenous peoples on matters affecting them: insight into how duty to consult may be addressed by Governments, indigenous peoples, the United Nations system, and other stakeholders.A/HRC/12/34
2008United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: analysis in the context of other international instruments specifically regarding indigenous peoples and human rights instruments of general applicability; the different measures required to implement and make operative the rights affirmed in the Declaration; joint efforts by States, the United Nations system, indigenous peoples and relevant civil society actors.A/HRC/9/9
2007Recent trends concerning the situation of the rights of indigenous peoples of the world: recent norms and the implementation gap; the increased loss of lands; the impact of climate change; forest peoples; pastoralist peoples; peoples living in isolation; intellectual property rights; indigenous women; indigenous children; the future of the international protection of the rights of indigenous peoples.A/HRC/4/32

Annual reports to the General Assembly

YearThemesSymbol number
2024Mobile Indigenous PeoplesA/79/160
2023Tourism and the rights of Indigenous PeoplesA/78/162
2022Protected areas and indigenous peoples’ rights: the obligations of States and international organizationsA/77/238
2021The rights of indigenous peoples living in urban areasA/76/202
2020The impact of COVID-19 on the rights of indigenous peoplesA/75/185
2019The right of indigenous peoples’ to autonomy or self-governmentA/74/149
2018An introductory comment on the issue of indigenous peoples and self-governanceA/73/176
2017Assessment of the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on the occasion of its tenth anniversary.A/72/186
2016Conservation measures and their impact on indigenous peoples’ rightsA/71/229
2015Impact of international investment and free trade on the human rights of indigenous peoplesA/70/301
2014Economic, social and cultural rights of indigenous peoples in the post-2015 development frameworkA/69/267
2013Activities of the mandates. Challenges to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous PeoplesA/68/317
2012The need to harmonize activities affecting indigenous peoples within the United Nations systemA/67/301
2011Activities of the mandate. Thematic issues examinedA/66/288
2009Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous PeopleA/64/338
2007Activities carried out between October 2006 and July 2007. Situation of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Asia.A/62/286
2006Activities carried out during the period November 2005-October 2006. Remarks on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.A/61/490
2005Activities carried out during the period August 2004-August 2005. Status report: major human rights problems affecting indigenous peoples: poverty and the enjoyment of human rights; access to education. Armed conflicts, human rights and indigenous peoples.A/60/358
2004Activities carried out during the period August 2001-10 August 2004. Progress and major human rights problems affecting indigenous peoples: rights to land, territory and access to natural resources; social organization and local government; administration of justice; the conflict between legislation and customary law; poverty and access to basic services; political representation, autonomy and self-determination; education and culture; indigenous women and girls.A/59/258

* Since 2004 to 2007, the Special Rapporteur was requested to present an interim report on his activities to the General Assembly’s Third Committee.

Annual reports to the Commission on Human Rights

YearThemesSymbol number
2006The implementation of norms at the domestic and international level concerning the rights of indigenous peoples: overview of existing legislation on promotion and protection of the human rights of indigenous peoples; analysis of the implementation of existing legislation.E/CN.4/2006/78
2005Indigenous peoples and education systems. The right of indigenous peoples to education: international legal framework and conceptual development. Factors impeding the access of indigenous peoples to education: discrimination and lack of equal access. High-quality and culturally appropriate indigenous education. Active participation, higher education and establishment of educational systems for and by indigenous peoples. The work of the United Nations and other institutions in the area of indigenous education.E/CN.4/2005/88
2004Administration of justice, indigenous peoples and human rights: The courts and the rights of indigenous peoples. Discrimination and the justice system. The criminalization of indigenous protest activities. Indigenous law and culture and alternative dispute resolution.E/CN.4/2004/80
2003The impact of large-scale development projects on human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples and communities. Selected case studies: Costa Rica, Chile, Colombia, India. Philippines. Dams, development and human rights.E/CN.4/2003/90
2002International norms regarding the rights of indigenous peoples: Legally binding instruments concerning indigenous peoples. Draft declarations. Other international declarations. Declarations and guidelines of various international Bodies. Legislation and reforms at the national level. Major human rights issues confronting indigenous peoples: land rights; homelands and territories; education and culture. The question of definitions. Specific concerns relating to the rights of indigenous people. Future activities of the Special Rapporteur.E/CN.4/2002/97

* Before the establishment of the Human Rights Council in 2006, the Special Rapporteur reported at the annual session of the Commission on Human Rights.