EU Statement – UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Rights of Indigenous Peoples

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EU Statement - UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Rights of Indigenous Peoples

16.10.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York

15 October 2024, New York - European Union Statement delivered Michael Swann, First Counsellor, Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee on Item 68: Rights of Indigenous Peoples

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Madam/Mr Chair,

I have the pleasure of speaking on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina*align themselves with this statement.

We are committed to the the full respect, protection and fulfilment of the rights of Indigenous Peoples - as set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and international human rights law.

Indigenous Peoples around the world continue to be disproportionately affected by poverty, discrimination and violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, and the negative effects of climate change.In order to live up to the ambitions of UNDRIP, we need a context-specific perspective on the issues they face. Particular attention must be paid to the rights of Indigenous women and girls, who are often subject to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.

Indigenous Peoples live in some of the most biodiverse places in the world. Through their deep connection to their ancestral land and nature they are essential guardians of ecosystems and natural resources.

As we face the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, Indigenous Peoples' expertise and traditional knowledge have the potential to lead us towards more sustainable and equitable outcomes. Indigenous Peoples' insights about local ecosystems can offer solutions to protect and restore our natural environment, as well as to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

At the same time, Indigenous Peoples are among the worst affected by the impacts of destructive economic activities, in particular unregulated mining and logging as well as large scale infrastructure projects. Their livelihoods, health, cultures and communities rely on a close relationship with the natural environment and are thus particularly threatened by environmental degradation and negative climate change-related impacts.

The EU's commitment to climate action, specifically achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and being a leading investor in climate financing, is rooted in concerns about the human rights implications of climate change on vulnerable groups, including Indigenous Peoples.

In order to mitigate and adapt to climate change, bold decisions and fundamental changes to the global economy are needed. The EU is at the forefront of this green transition.

However, we are acutely aware of the associated risks for human rights, particularly in extractive industries supplying the minerals required for batteries and other green technologies.That is why the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act and its strategic partnerships pay particular attention to labour rights, human rights and environmental protection along the supply chain. The EU remains at the forefront of efforts to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, most recently through the adoption of our Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. We are also working on these issues on the ground, supporting local civil society organisations and environmental human rights defenders, including Indigenous Peoples.

For the green transition to be sustainable, it needs to be just and inclusive.

For private sector projects to be successful, broad support to impacted communities is needed. This requires early information, as well as broad and genuine consultation. The governance structures, decision making and cultural practices of Indigenous Peoples need to be understood and respected in this process.

The EU supports the full, effective and meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples on issues affecting them. Within the UN, progress has been made to enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples, but challenges such as accreditation and language barriers still hinder their full involvement. The EU engages actively in the discussions in this regard and will continue to do so. The commitment to Indigenous Peoples' full, effective and meaningful participation contributesto the EU'simplementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and itscore principle of leaving no one behind.

It is critical for States to collaborate meaningfully with Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Peoples have the right, as set out in UNDRIP, to be involved from the start in shaping policies that affect their rights, lands, and livelihoods. Ensuring this participation strengthens governance and peacebuilding, aligning with UNDRIP's vision of justice, equality, and respect for Indigenous Peoples' rights and cultural heritage. The EU's support for the Indigenous Peoples' Center for Documentation, Research and Information (Docip), which provides practical advice for Indigenous Peoples' involvement in multilateral fora, is a testimony of our commitment in this regard.

In a similar vein, we believe that it is critical to empower Indigenous Peoples through data and knowledge sharing. This is the idea behind the EU's support to the Indigenous Navigator, a unique and innovative tool implemented by and for Indigenous Peoples. Data collected through tools designed and used by Indigenous Peoples allows them to engage with authorities on local, national and global level in order to raise awareness, influence policies, monitor progress, and hold duty bearers accountable to their commitments.

Madam/Mr. Chair,

The reality on the ground is shocking.196 land and environmental defenders were murdered in 2023 - more than one murder every two days. Almost half of them were individuals belonging to Indigenous Peoples and Afrodescendant communities. These figures are only the tip of the iceberg of violence, harassment, intimidation and reprisals against defenders of Indigenous Peoples' rights. These acts must end immediately, everywhere.

Support to human rights defenders is a priority of the EU's external policy. The European Union will continue to stand by indigenous human rights defenders who experience threats and violence, including in the context of protecting land, natural resources, the environment, biodiversity and the climate. Indigenous Rights defenders are particularly at risk owing to the economic interests often linked to human rights violations affecting their communities. In this context, our initiatives on Business and Human Rights directly complement our support to human rights defenders.

May I conclude by stressing that the EU welcomes the discussions at the 23^nd session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The Permanent Forum continues being central for amplifying the voices of Indigenous Peoples.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.