On 4 to 8 July 2022, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) held its 15th session in Geneva, Switzerland. The theme of this year’s edition was: “Treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements, between indigenous Peoples and States, including peace accords and reconciliation initiatives, and their constitutional recognition.”
“The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) provides the Human Rights Council with expertise and advice on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. It assists Member States in achieving the goals of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Expert Mechanism was established by the Human Rights Council, the UN’s main human rights body, in 2007.”
The 15th session brought together a large number of representatives of States, indigenous Peoples and NGO’s who presented their views about the situation of indigenous Peoples around the world.
Mr. Jeroen Zandberg, Executive director of the Global Diplomatic Council, participated in the 15th session of the EMRIP and made a statement on the topic of the recognition of treaties between indigenous Peoples and (colonial) States. The statement on the situation of the Rehoboth Basters of Namibia and the non-recognition of their Treaty of Protection and Friendship of 1885 can be viewed here. Furthermore, the United Nations’ yearly event for indigenous Peoples also kicked off the decade of indigenous languages from 2022 to 2032. Mr. Zandberg made a presentation at this topic as well. The statement about the Frisian language can be viewed here.
