STATEMENT
Second intersessional meeting on concrete ways to enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the work of the Council.
Session 5 – Preventing and addressing reprisals.
Statement delivered by Ms Jannicke GRAATRUD
Minister, Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway in Geneva.
Check against delivery
18 October 2024
- We thank the panellists for their interventions.
- Article 18 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states that “Indigenous Peoples have the right to participate in decision-making in matters which would affect their rights, through representatives chosen by themselves in accordance with their own procedures”.
- Effective participation demands a safe and enabling environment, free from reprisals.
- The enhanced participation of Indigenous Peoples may increase the risk of intimidation and reprisals against them.
- It is therefore important to ensure that mechanisms for reporting such reprisals and intimidation are strengthened to ensure their safety and security.
- There are lessons to be learned from the participation of civil society in the work of this Council, that we should build on.
- Norway is deeply concerned about reprisals against Indigenous human rights defenders for their participation in UN meetings such as the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Human Rights Council.
- No matter the form that a reprisal may take we condemn it, and reiterate our call for it to stop.
- States must ensure due protection for Indigenous leaders, including Indigenous women, and their communities from such reprisals. This includes measures to prevent, protect, investigate and prosecute such acts.
Thank you.