25 years since the establishment of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

25 years since the establishment of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Written on 16 May 2026. Posted in News

BY LOLA GARCÍA-ALIX FOR INDIGENOUS DEBATES

In the face of mounting challenges to the international human rights system, the current Special Rapporteur, Albert Barume, spoke with his predecessors about the importance of the mandate in advancing and protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples. From land rights and self-determination to the impacts of climate change and criminalisation, each Rapporteur's contribution has left a far-reaching normative and political legacy. Drawing on their experience, they underscored the need to strengthen cooperation among mandates and warned against extractive development models that advance without the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples.

On 24 April, during the 25th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was commemorated. This mandate, a mechanism of the Human Rights Council, has, since its creation in 2001, become one of the leading international instruments for the protection and promotion of the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Facilitated by the current Special Rapporteur, Albert Barume, the event brought together representatives of Indigenous Peoples, sponsoring States, senior UN officials and non-governmental organisations, as well as former mandate holders: Professor James Anaya, Ambassador Francisco Cali Tzay and activist Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, who participated via a video message. A tribute was also paid to the first Special Rapporteur, Rodolfo Stavenhagen, with a minute of silence in recognition of his enduring legacy in the defence of the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Under the theme "25 years promoting the rights of Indigenous Peoples: impact, lessons learned and the future of the mandate", the commemoration highlighted the trajectory of a mechanism that has established itself as one of the principal international instruments in this field.

An independent mechanism with real impact

Opening the event, Dr Albert K. Barume stressed that the anniversary was not only an occasion for celebration, but also an opportunity to "examine the persistent gaps in the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples". He further underscored the need to reinforce the relevance of the mandate in a global context marked by increasing pressures on human rights and multilateralism.

Since its establishment, the mandate has undertaken 51 official country visits, produced 62 thematic reports and engaged in more than a thousand communications addressed to States, companies and other actors. Through these actions, it has documented violations, shed light on structural patterns of discrimination and contributed to the interpretation of international law concerning Indigenous Peoples.

During the opening session, the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ilze Brands Kehris, highlighted that the mandate has been "a critical and independent mechanism" that has helped address structural discrimination and strengthen accountability. However, she warned that violations persist-and in some cases are worsening-across all regions, largely driven by extractive development models advancing without the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples.

Land, criminalisation and business: persistent challenges

Throughout the event, participants shared a common diagnosis: the expansion of extractive, energy and infrastructure projects (including those linked to the "green" transition) continues to result in the forced displacement of entire communities, loss of lands, the criminalisation of Indigenous leaders and multiple forms of violence, particularly against Indigenous women and defenders.

In this context, Joan Carling, an Indigenous Peoples' rights defender and Executive Director of Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI), described the mandate as a "lifeline" for many Indigenous defenders facing unjust persecution. She also cited concrete cases in countries such as the Philippines and Guatemala, where the interventions of the Special Rapporteur proved decisive in securing the release of individuals criminalised for defending their lands.

The role of States and international cooperation

Mexico and Guatemala, the longstanding sponsoring States of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, once again reaffirmed their political support. Mexico's Ambassador to the United Nations, Alicia Bárcena, emphasised the mandate's pivotal role in advancing the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and highlighted recent progress in her country, including a constitutional reform recognising Indigenous Peoples as subjects of public law.

From Guatemala, Ana Pérez Conguache, representing the Presidential Commission against Discrimination and Racism against Indigenous Peoples, underscored the importance of in situ visits by Special Rapporteurs in enabling direct engagement with affected communities and fostering dialogue with States. She also pointed out the significance of the recommendations issued, while acknowledging that serious challenges persist, including the ongoing criminalisation of Indigenous leaders.

A collective legacy and an agenda for the future

One of the central moments of the event was a retrospective of the mandate presented through a commemorative video, highlighting the contributions of the five Special Rapporteurs: Rodolfo Stavenhagen, James Anaya, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Francisco Calí Tzay and, currently, Albert Barume. From land rights and self-determination to the impacts of climate change and criminalisation, each has shaped a far-reaching normative and political legacy.

In the dialogue with former mandate holders, there was broad agreement that the mandate's greatest strength lies in amplifying the voices of Indigenous Peoples, bridging the gap between standards and practice, and strengthening coordination with other UN mechanisms-such as the Permanent Forum and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples-particularly in a context of mounting challenges to the international human rights system and its protection and promotion frameworks.

In closing the event, and against the backdrop of these challenges, Albert Barume stressed that the coming years will require a strategic approach to defence: "We cannot take for granted the achievements of these past 25 years. Safeguarding them is a collective responsibility." He further emphasised the need to protect what has been achieved, to strengthen follow-up to recommendations, and to secure adequate financial resources.

Lola García-Alix is Senior Adviser at the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA).

Cover photo: Francisco Cali Tzay, Albert Barume and James Anaya during the celebration. Photo: Lola García-Alix / IWGIA

Tags: Indigenous Debates