Delegation of the European Union to Albania

10/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/15/2024 16:40

EU Statement: UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Interactive Dialogue on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

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EU Statement: UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Interactive Dialogue on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

15 October 2024, New York - European Union Statement at the United Nations General Assembly 79th Session Third Committee Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Mr. José Francisco Cali Tzay

Thank you Mr. Chair,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. We would like to thank the Special Rapporteur, Mr José Francisco Calí Tzay, for his work and welcome his report on "Mobile Indigenous Peoples". The report clearly depicts some of the biggest and unique challenges faced by mobile Indigenous Peoples, including Indigenous Peoples living in voluntary isolation and initial contact.

It is clear that mobile Indigenous Peoples, due to the nature of their constant displacement, are vulnerable for illegal appropriation of their lands. We also acknowledge that due to their mobile nature, or to the fact that some of them remain in voluntary isolation, the possibility of benefiting from services such as health, education and sanitation often provided by municipalities to permanent residents becomes extremely complex.

We would also like to highlight that mobile Indigenous Peoples often face an even bigger threat of suffering from the adverse environmental impact of extractive industries, such as mining, illegal logging and mining, uncontrolled agribusiness expansions and largescale infrastructure development projects.

Mr. Special Rapporteur, we take note of all your recommendations to States and to international organizations. Nevertheless, if a State that does not have specific provisions regarding mobile Indigenous Peoples or Indigenous Peoples living in isolation or initial contact would want to address it, what would be the first measure you would advise them to implement?

Thank you