EU Statement – UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues: Human Rights Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur

EU Statement - UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues: Human Rights Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur

28 April 2025, New York - Statement by the European Union at the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on Agenda item 5 d: Human rights dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; annual review of progress on the implementation of CEDAW general recommendation No. 39 (2022)

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

After five years, since his appointment in 2020, we wish to thank the outgoing Special Rapporteur, Mr José Francisco Calí Tzay, for his dedication to the mandate. His reports - spanning the time of COVID - on subjects ranging from disabilities to tourism or green financing, have shed new light on evolving issues.

We welcome the new Special Rapporteur, Dr Albert K. Barume, and look forward to working with him in his new position. We are grateful for this opportunity to hear how you plan to bring your expertise in these changing times.

At the same time, we should like to thank the members of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for their ongoing work. The EU recognises the important contributions of the UN mechanisms working on Indigenous Peoples and supports their role in bringing independent analysis and advice.

In its General Recommendation number 39, adopted in 2022, "The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has consistently identified patterns of discrimination faced by Indigenous women and girls in the exercise of their human rights, and the factors that continue to exacerbate discrimination against them."

It is therefore timely that this year the Forum's "Interregional, intergenerational and global dialogue" was dedicated to "the Rights of Indigenous Women", a good example of the support of the Permanent Forum to initiatives that empower Indigenous women."

It is significant that this year's political declaration of the Commission on the Status of Women mentions the importance of Promoting safe and enabling environments for civil society actors, including Indigenous and feminist groups.

The EU reiterates its strong condemnation for any form of reprisals against human rights defenders and civil society organisations, including those who cooperate with the UN in any form. The EU will promote full, effective and meaningful participation and leadership of all women, including Indigenous women.

The EU welcomes the views of the Special Rapporteur and the Expert Mechanism regarding how to counter the disturbing trend of reprisals against Indigenous Peoples and their representatives.

Thank you.