24th Meeting - 63rd Session of Human Rights Council

of the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council. Before we start, let me remind you that the deadline for the submission of draft proposals for the 63rd session is Thursday 24th of September 2026 at 1 p.m. Geneva time. I encourage sponsors to table draft proposals as early as possible. We will now begin the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. I welcome the mandate holder, Mr. Albert Kwaku Barume. The list of speakers will close in 15 minutes. I now give the floor to Mr. Albert Kwaku Barume to present his reports.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, Excellencies, Indigenous Peoples' representatives, participants, ladies and gentlemen. Let me first express my gratitude to everyone who responded to my call for contribution. to my two reports that I'm presenting today. As we commence the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, my report on violations committed against Indigenous women's and girls' reproductive rights reviews how States have so far addressed these violations and seek to remind those States that the end of the declaration cannot be achieved without first addressing those historical injustices. Upholding sexual and reproductive rights of Indigenous women is essential to the survival, continuity and self-determination of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous women are life givers, knowledge holders, caregivers and transmitters of languages, cultures, and identities. And because of the central role that Indigenous women play, their bodies and reproductive capability have historically been and continue to be the second primary target after Indigenous Peoples' land for those seeking to eradicate Indigenous Peoples as distinct nation, peoples, and identities. Forced sterilization or contraception, the enforcement of mandatory boarding school rife with sexual violence, the demonization or outright criminalization of Indigenous midwifery practice, and severe acts of sexual violence aimed at instilling fear in an entire community exemplify the historical violations of Indigenous women reproductive rights and persisted for decades across regions and countries. The driver of these violations were multiples, including colonialism, systemic racism, patriarchies, and effort to assimilate or erase Indigenous peoples as cultural nations. These forces intersected to create an environment in which Indigenous women and girls were primarily targets, abused and ill-treated. The report also highlights a variety of contemporary drivers of these violations. One of these drivers is militarization, which frequently lead to increased violence and instability within Indigenous people communities. Environmental pollution is another key drivers. The reproductive right and health, as well as well-being of Indigenous women and girls are impacted by the contamination of land, water, air, including by extractive industries. Armed conflicts are also a cause that exacerbates the vulnerability of Indigenous women and girls to sexual violence and exploitation. The report further revealed that in many cases, conservation initiatives have also resulted in violations of reproductive rights of Indigenous women and girls. The legacy of these historical injustices remain visible today. Indigenous women and girls continue to experience disproportionately high level of sexual violence, trafficking, reproductive coercion, maternal mortality, forced separation from their children, criminalization of traditional health practices, and significant barriers to accessing culturally appropriate health care. The report notes that in recent decades, some states have addressed some of these violations of Indigenous women's and girl reproductive rights, but responses remain sporadic, uneven, and partial. So far, the main efforts of redress have included elements of public apology, national inquiries or hearings, truth-telling initiatives, reparation measures, including some compensation. However, only a small number of States have implemented the full range of redress measures, which include legal and policy reforms, guarantee of non-repetition, and full judicial remedies. For States to achieve genuine reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, as provided for by the Declaration, it is imperative that they comprehensively redress both this historical and contemporary form of violation of Indigenous women and girl reproductive rights. This entails recognizing past and present injustices, providing reparations, implementing definitive action to avert future violation and assuring accountability. Truth telling, repression and institutional reform must be central on centered on the women affected and carried out in a manner that avoid repetition. The report makes nimrus key actionable recommendation to states and other stakeholders, including urging states to implement prompt and effective actions to cease these violations, offer reparations to impacted individuals and communities, and establish intercultural health programs and facilities. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Chair, allow me now to make very introductory remark concerning my report on the country visit that I made to Botswana in September 2026. To begin, I would like to express my gratitude to the government of Botswana for the warm welcome and open collaboration that I received during my visit. Upon my arrival, I immediately realized that the new government showed a strong political commitment to addressing the historical injustices experienced by Indigenous people in the country. This was illustrated by numerous acts, including the president's initiative to return an Indigenous elders' remain to his ancestral land, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, for burial after years in mortuaries. I also found that the current government had established an inter-ministerial committee with the responsibility of undertaking consultation and proposing policy change with the intention of ensuring that Indigenous Peoples achieve full equality in the country. My visit did, however, find that indigenous people in Botswana continue to face structural discrimination, lack legal recognition, insecure land tenure rights, limited access to justice, and barrier to equal participation in public life. These challenges are rooted in historical dispossession, marginalization, and persisting misunderstanding regarding the concept of indigenous peoples as provided for under international law. The majority of the indigenous peoples community in Botswana continue to experience extreme poverty, social exclusion and dependence on government assistance, often linked to loss of traditional livelihood and land and lack of employment opportunities. In conclusion, my country visit report made a series of recommendations to the Government of Botswana and other stakeholders, which I hope will be duly considered and implemented, and will contribute further to strengthening the protection of the rights of indigenous people in the country. I once more want to thank the Government, the indigenous people of Botswana and all those who contributed to supporting my mission. I thank you. Thank you, Ms. Chela.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. According to our practice, we shall start by hearing the delegation of the country concerned. I now give the floor To His Excellency Mr. Duma Gideon Moko, President of the Republic of Botswana, by video message.

President of the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People, distinguished delegates. Botswana welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. and expresses appreciation for the constructive engagement undertaken during his visit to Botswana in September 2025. We attach the greatest value to the insights shared by Indigenous communities across the country. They were offered at a pivotal moment when the government of Botswana has acknowledged the historical injustices experienced by Indigenous peoples and has taken the bold and principled decision to formally recognize the rights of Indigenous Peoples. This commitment includes sustained engagements with affected communities to address historical inequalities, uphold and protect their rights, ensure their well-being, and improve their standard of living. We affirm that the distinct identities, cultures and histories of indigenous peoples merit recognition and protection. The government of Botswana is committed to working with all communities of indigenous peoples to, among others, ensure their right to self-identification. As indicated in the Special Rapporteur's report, the government has already taken significant steps that demonstrate our commitment to redress and reform. These include the conclusion of consultations by the Inter-Ministerial Committee to advise government on sustainable solutions regarding the human rights of Indigenous Peoples and the adoption of the CKGR Integrated Roadmap as the pathway to restitution of the CKGR. Our decision to ratify the International Labour Organization Convention No. 169 on the Rights of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples reflect our resolve to ensure the dignity of indigenous peoples. We take note of the Special Rapporteur's detailed findings on land issues, including the four categories of communities affected by historical dispossession. Botswana is committed to addressing these concerns through a comprehensive, rights-based approach. Botswana also recognizes the need to enhance Indigenous Peoples' equal participation in public and political affairs. We're working to strengthen consultative mechanisms, including free, prior and informed consent, and to ensure meaningful representation of Indigenous Peoples in national decision-making processes. We acknowledge the concerns raised regarding the Nkweadi Kose and will continue examining options for equitable representation. Mr. President, on social and economic rights, the government is reforming the Remote Area Development Program to adopt a human rights-based framework that will ensure equitable service delivery. As part of inclusion efforts of the government, Indigenous peoples contributed to the identification of gaps within the Remote Area Development Program during their participation in the development of the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme, BETP. In a bid to curb exploitative labour practices and illegal bondage, we have intensified our inspection visits to private farms where some Indigenous Peoples are employed and accommodated. Education remains a priority. Botswana acknowledges the challenges faced by the children of Indigenous Peoples including high dropout rates and the limitation of the hostel system. We are in the process of expanding satellite schools, strengthening mother tongue instruction, and developing a national language policy to safeguard indigenous languages. Botswana further recognizes the importance of cultural identity and traditional knowledge. We are committed to protecting cultural heritage sites, supporting indigenous cultural expression, and ensuring that indigenous communities benefit from tourism and conservation initiatives. Mr. President, Botswana is steadfast in its commitment to dignity, equality, and justice for all communities, and to building a future in which indigenous people thrive culturally, socially, and economically. The government's maiden national plan, which is a five-year planning period, was passed by Parliament in November 2025, and the human rights chapter of the plan fully addresses human rights claims for redress for Indigenous Peoples of Botswana by, among other things, committing to the following: Number one, awareness raising in contemporary human rights. Number two, the recognition of Indigenous Peoples of Botswana. Three, Formalize participation mechanisms for indigenous communities to ensure their meaningful participation in development. Four, establish an office in the presidency specifically mandated to drive a clear vision on how to translate political will into sustainable and practical improvements in the lives of indigenous peoples of Botswana. Botswana acknowledges the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur and commits to studying them carefully. We will continue engaging indigenous communities to ensure that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development principle of leaving no one behind is upheld. We also commit to bolster constructive dialogue with human rights treaty bodies and mechanisms to promote and protect the full enjoyment of human rights by indigenous peoples. I thank you for your kind attention.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. The list of speakers is now closed. And I invite delegations wishing to ask questions of the Special Rapporteur. The speaking time is one minute, 30 seconds for all. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the European Union.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. We thank the Special Rapporteur for his report on the historical and contemporary forms of violations against the sexual and reproductive health and rights of indigenous women and girls. It highlights that these violations are not isolated to the past. They are linked to colonial legacies, discrimination, conflict, environmental contamination, and exclusion from decisions affecting Indigenous peoples. Women continue to face disproportionate sexual and gender-based violence, reproductive violence, barriers to health care and exclusion from decision-making. We are particularly concerned by the conclusion that progress in truth-seeking, accountability and redress remains uneven. We reaffirm EU's continued strong commitment to promote, fulfill and protect the rights of indigenous peoples as set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and international human rights law. This commitment is linked to our work on sexual and reproductive health. EU recognizes that indigenous women and girls face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, limiting their access to health care. We stress the importance of ensuring that sexual and reproductive health care services are accessible and responsive to the specific needs of Indigenous women and girls. Mr. Special Rapporteur, how can States better ensure meaningful participation of Indigenous peoples in design, delivery and evaluation of public services?

I thank you.

Thank you very much.

I recognize the distinguished representative of Vanuatu on behalf of a group of countries.

Mr. Vice-President, I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Fiji, Samoa and my own country, Vanuatu. We thank the Special Rapporteur for this important report. For the Pacific States, the report resonates deeply. The well-being of indigenous women is inseparable from identity, well-being and continuity of our communities. We particularly welcome the recognition of Indigenous women as traditional knowledge holders, caregivers and transmitters of culture, language and identity. Traditional knowledge is a living system passed from generation to generation and contributes to mental health, child birth, family wellbeing and community resilience. We are concerned that the suppression and criminalization of traditional midwifery, healing and other Indigenous practices have disrupted the transmission of knowledge. Health systems should therefore recognize and respectfully integrate Indigenous knowledge alongside modern healthcare where appropriate and with a free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous communities. Indigenous women must also have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their health, lands, territories and futures, consistent with self-determination for free, prior and informed consent. We call on States to invest in culturally appropriate and accessible healthcare, support Indigenous women as knowledge holders and health practitioners, and create an enabling environment for traditional knowledge to be preserved and transmitted. We stand ready to contribute to efforts that place Indigenous women's knowledge, dignity, autonomy, and leadership at the center of the human rights protection. I thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. I recognize the distinguished representative of Guatemala.

Thank you very much, Vice-President. Guatemala thanks the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of the report and for the focus placed on violence, discrimination, racial discrimination and the barriers facing women and girls from indigenous communities in accessing culturally appropriate health services. Our country is only too aware of the deep consequences that violence can leave for generations. The Commission for Historical Clarification documented the sexual violence suffered by Maya Q'eqchi' women during the internal armed conflict, and cases such as the grandmothers, abuelas de Sepur Zarco, have contributed to advancing in terms of justice and reparation. Guatemala reaffirms the importance of transitional justice in ensuring that truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition be possible, as well as strengthening intercultural health services that recognize the scientific and technical knowledge of Indigenous communities in this field. Rapporteur, what good practices do you recommend in order to connect public healthcare systems with the scientific and technical knowledge of Indigenous women and midwives in Indigenous communities, guaranteeing culturally appropriate attention based on prior free, free, prior informed consent. Thank you very much, Vice President.

Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Fiji.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

Fiji aligns itself with the statement delivered by Vanuatu on behalf of a group of Pacific small island developing states.

Fiji appreciates the Special Rapporteur's report on historical and contemporary forms of violations against the sexual and reproductive health and rights of indigenous women and girls, and the useful recommendations outlined in his report. Fiji recognizes that indigenous women and girls have carried languages, stories, knowledge and customs from one generation to the next, nurturing families, strengthening communities and helping safeguard lands, territories and natural resources on which our peoples depend. Yet, despite the importance of these contributions, our voice and experiences have too often remained unheard. The intersection of two identities, as women and as indigenous persons, exposes us to deep and persistent inequalities. And we recognize that the violations against sexual and reproductive health and rights of indigenous women and girls are rooted in discrimination, gender equality, and poverty, and are barriers to accessing health services. We call for strengthened accountability, accessible justice mechanisms, culturally responsive health care, and greater investment in education and prevention, because when indigenous women and girls are supported, communities are strengthened. Fiji stands ready to support engagements at the Council on this critical agenda.

I thank you. Thank you very much. I recognize the distinguished representative of Denmark.

Thank you, Vice-President. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Government of Denmark and Naalakkersuisut, the Government of Greenland. We thank the Special Rapporteur for his report on historical and contemporary violations of the sexual and reproductive health and rights of Indigenous women and girls. We also express our continued support for the Special Rapporteur's mandate and its important role in promoting the rights of Indigenous peoples at a time where such are being challenged. Sexual and reproductive health and rights are fundamental to the dignity, autonomy, equality, and well-being of all women and girls. For indigenous women and girls, these rights must also be understood in the light of the collective rights of indigenous peoples, including the rights to self-determination, culture, identity, and non-discrimination. The report is an important reminder that historical injustices must be acknowledged and that their consequences may continue to be felt across generations. Within the Kingdom of Denmark, the Government of Denmark and Naalakkersuisut, the Government of Greenland, are engaged in processes addressing the dark chapters of our shared history. These efforts are guided by a commitment to truth, recognition, dialogue and reconciliation, and by respect for the dignity and voices of those affected. I thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. I recognize the distinguished representative of Ecuador.

Vice-President, my delegation thanks the Special Rapporteur for the report and especially values the reference to the comprehensive model for family, community and intercultural health in Ecuador, which actively includes indigenous knowledge and participation of midwives through maternal healthcare services that are culturally appropriate. Ecuadorian standards recognise the collective rights of communities and villages and indigenous groups, including the right to protect and develop their knowledge and practice of ancestral medicine. Since 2023, amongst other programs, Ecuador has implemented the project for strengthening intercultural healthcare, which coordinates or connects around 1,900 midwives to the public healthcare system. And in 2025, 14,000 participants were trained through four rounds of the virtual healthcare modules, health, interculturality, and good treatment. In addition, we have a manual for practices and knowledge, ancestral knowledge, knowledge in terms of birth, and a technical guide for care and culturally appropriate births, with linguistic resources and interpretation, and the possibility for patients to receive ancestral care, either within a healthcare facility or outside, in addition to a policy for addressing teenage pregnancy. Thank you.

Thank you very much. I recognise the distinguished representative of Mexico.

Thank you, Vice-President. We'd like to thank the Special Rapporteur for the reports and contributions for indigenous peoples. Mexico values the comment in your report of the 35 indigenous women and Afro-Mexican houses or shelters that meet the request for participation and inclusion of indigenous and Afro-Mexican women in the design and follow-up of public policies to protect and guarantee their rights. On the concern at risks of air fumigation for reproductive and intergenerational health, Mexico highlights the Justice Plan for the Yaqui people that looks at the reduction or eradication of agrochemicals and action to try to deal with contaminated soils. In this framework, we have conducted phytosanitary projects, training on different forms of fumigation, and this reflects the efforts of the Mexican State for sustainable environmental management and protection of the rights of indigenous communities. Mexico reaffirms its commitment to the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and with constructive dialogue with the international human rights mechanisms. This work contributes to exposing the challenges and promoting solutions to fully guarantee the rights of indigenous peoples. Thank you very much, Vice-President.

Thank you very much.

I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mali.

Thank you, Vice-President. Malawi would like to thank the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples for the presentation of his report about the historic and modern-day forms of attacks on the health and rights of indigenous women and girls in terms of sexual and reproductive rights. My delegation would like to note that since 1960, when our country attained independence in Mali, there has been no group considered to be an indigenous people in terms of its status. We have fostered a policy of national unity, recognizing our people as being one people on one territory while promoting our sovereignty. These communities live on the principle of mutual respect and solidarity and the values we have inherited from our ancestors, which promote national coexistence and cohesion. The reproductive and sexual rights of girls in Mali are being strengthened through our public policies with effective funding and implementation, and we intend to continue involving communities and families and religious leaders. And we also intend to ensure that there are culturally appropriate measures that are taken. We intend to improve the medical services provided in rural areas too.

Thank you.

Thank you. I now give the floor to UNFPA.

Thank you, Vice-President. UNFPA commends the comprehensive approach taken by the Special Rapporteur to examine the violations of Indigenous women's sexual and reproductive health and rights and highlight how they are deeply rooted in systemic racism, colonialism and patriarchal structures. Indigenous women frequently face discrimination, verbal abuse, and a denial of culturally appropriate care within formal health systems, contributing to disproportionately high maternal mortality, elevated rates of adolescent pregnancies, low voluntary contraceptive use, and higher prevalence of sexual transmission infection. These historic yet ongoing experiences push these women away from the health service, exacerbating reproductive health inequalities. UNFPA pragmatic footprints indicate that integrating indigenous knowledge into formal health systems significantly improves SRHR outcomes. Several states are successful integrating ancestral knowledge into formal care, guaranteeing practices such as vertical delivery and the use of ancestral language to combat institutional racism and eliminate access barriers. We emphasize the importance of promoting indigenous women and girls leadership through formal partnership and shared decision making with government agencies and indigenous peoples and of making the invisible visible by collecting and publishing disaggregated data to address severe health disparities and expand access to voluntary family planning and maternal health care. Finally, we stress the need to end institutional impunity for gender-based violence, including sexual violence against Indigenous women and girls, to implement strict legal safeguards and accountability mechanisms that protect their bodily autonomy and ensure that all reproductive health initiatives are based on free, prior and informed consent.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Guyana.

Thank you, Mr. President. Guyana thanks the Special Rapporteur for presenting the insightful report. In terms of adopting and strengthening existing laws, policies, and mechanisms to guarantee the right of free, prior, and informed consent on any decision affecting Indigenous people, an oversight committee, including the National Tushau Council, was established to ensure that these principles are upheld. Guyana's constitution, the Amerindian Act, The Persons with Disabilities Act and related national policies also take into account special measures to protect the collective rights of indigenous people. Further, the Government of Guyana launched in 2022 the Strengthening Justice to Women, Girls and Indigenous People Programme, which is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the justice institutions to better investigate, address and respond to sexual and gender-based violence, among other human rights violations. Through these examples and many other initiatives, Guyana affirms its commitment to promoting the rights of all citizens, especially indigenous people, and looks forward to the continued collaboration in the international community, ensuring inclusive participation of indigenous people in UN forums. I thank you, Mr. President.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. And I give the floor to the distinguished representative of UN Women.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. UN Women reaffirms that indigenous women and girls must be able to live with dignity, exercise full autonomy over their bodies and reproductive lives, and enjoy their rights free from violence, coercion, or discrimination. We were proud to commemorate, along with FIMI and Mexico, the first commemoration of International Women's Day in New York on September 9th. This commemoration focused on the indigenous women's leadership and contributions. During the event, we highlighted the importance of implementing general recommendation from the CEDAW Committee number 39, and we were so proud to have you with us, Special Rapporteur. While many challenges persist, positive measures deserve recognition. Mexico has advanced in culturally sensitive sexual reproductive health services, including traditional midwifery, while Bolivia has recognized indigenous knowledge and traditional medicines and strengthens community participation in health-related decision-making. Please count on UN Women for all of your efforts. I thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. I call on the distinguished representative of China.

Mr. Vice President, we have taken note of the Special Rapporteur's report. and we are seriously concerned about problems raised in the report, such as the colonial policies in countries such as Canada and the US on the basis of racism systematically violated the right to reproductive health of indigenous people. In the US, indigenous women and girls have difficulties in accessing adequate healthcare services. In Australia, the rate of imprisonment for indigenous women remains persistently high. Indigenous women and girls are also vulnerable to adverse impacts of social, of racial discrimination, conflict and instability, climate change and digital divide, imbalanced development, the debt crisis and other challenges. We call on all countries to effectively fulfill their international human rights obligations, including those under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and to take all necessary measures to truly protect the fundamental human rights of indigenous people, particularly women, children, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. attach importance to the use of emerging technologies, including AI and digital technologies to empower indigenous people and to help them adapt more quickly to the pace of social development and to enjoy the benefits of development on an equal basis. Our question for the Special Rapporteur, what practical measures should be taken to establish accountability mechanisms for violations of reproductive rights of indigenous women and girls? Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

Thank you. I now call on the distinguished representative of Marshall Islands.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Marshall Islands thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report. Around the world, Indigenous women and girls still face discrimination and severe barriers to culturally appropriate care, harms that reach their bodily autonomy, their rights, and their dignity. For Indigenous people, harm to the land is harm to the body, and in the Marshall Islands, that connection is radioactive. For Indigenous people, 67 non-nuclear tests were conducted on our atolls between 1946 and 1958. Their legacy impacted their reproductive and maternal health of the Marshallese women through cancer, birth defect, and what used to be called the "jellyfish babies." The Special Rapporteur's report traces environmental contamination to mercury, pesticide, and uranium mining. Radioactive contamination belong within that same pattern, yet it remains largely unaddressed, and it continues to call for fuller recognition, restitution, and guarantees that such harm will not recur. These challenges are met every day by those already doing the work. WITMI, through its Waddileng Moore Support Services, provide counseling and support for survivors of cancer and gender-based violence. Their work reaches women across our atolls, including the islands that are most remote and hard for the assistant to reach. We echo the Special Rapporteur's call for survivors' health care to be centered, culturally appropriate, and the full participation of Indigenous women and girls in decisions that concern them and their well-being.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. I'd now like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Paraguay.

Thank you, Vice-President. We thank the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of his report, and we welcome the attention he has paid to the challenges faced by indigenous women and girls, in particular violence and discrimination, as well as the barriers they face in accessing culturally appropriate health care services. We agree that it is important to promote solutions that respect the identity, culture and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples, as well as their meaningful participation in decisions that affect them. In Paraguay, through the National Plan for Indigenous Peoples 2020-2030, we have been strengthening the mechanisms for participation and consultation, as well as intercultural care policies. Moreover, we have driven measures to broaden access to child and mother health care in indigenous communities, and we have adopted a protocol with an intercultural dimension for addressing cases of violence against indigenous women. We believe it is essential that these efforts take place in a way that is in keeping with our legal framework and national priorities, bearing in mind the specific cultural particularities of each community. Special Rapporteur, what best practices could you recommend for strengthening culturally appropriate health care services for indigenous women and girls? Thank you.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Philippines.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. The Philippines thanks the Special Rapporteur for the report. As a pioneer in our region in the recognition of the rights of Indigenous Peoples through our landmark Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997, the Philippines reaffirms its commitment to respecting and fulfilling the right to health of Indigenous women and girls as part of our national policy on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. Our domestic legal framework, particularly the Magna Carta of Women and the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act, guarantees access to reproductive health services based on voluntary informed choice. Concretely, the Department of Health and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples provide culturally sensitive nutrition and maternal and reproductive health services through the Project Gabay Katutubo. Culturally sensitive reproductive health education is implemented to prevent adolescent pregnancy among indigenous youth. On the report's reference to indigenous women in mercury-based extraction, we stress that mercury use in this sector has been prohibited since 2012. As a State Party to the Minamata Convention, the Philippines is developing its national action plan through an inclusive and participatory process, including indigenous communities. Thank you.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Peru.

Vice President, for Peru, the well-being of indigenous women and girls is a priority. This requires culturally appropriate and linguistically appropriate care services and access to justice. The report recognizes the measures taken by Peru to address violence against indigenous girls and also participatory vigilance for exposure by Amazon communities to heavy metals, that we are continuing to strengthen our services and constitutional capacities and training specialized personnel. The ombudsperson has provided a report on the situation of indigenous persons, and we issued a response last year spelling out the rules for promoting appropriate healthcare services, and this involves the use of the mother tongue and cultural practices. Moreover, the healthcare ministry oversees these services and transmits any complaints, whereas we have another body that provides care. In individual cases, there were administrative measures that were taken, as well as psychosocial legal support, and the processes continue. Peru would like to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening intercultural healthcare services, which are free from discrimination and which respond to the needs and ensure timely and accessible care across our territory. Thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bangladesh.

Mr. President, Bangladesh takes note of the report of the Special Rapporteur. The Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees equal protection of the law to all citizens and provides for the protection and development of the unique cultures and traditions of ethnic communities. The current government attaches particular importance to inclusive development and equitable access to opportunities for all citizens, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or geographic location. Bangladesh unequivocally condemns all forms of sexual violence against women and girls. irrespective of the identity of the victims or perpetrators. We remain firmly committed to ensuring accountability and access to justice for all. Mr. President, Bangladesh recognizes the important role of the Special Procedures mandate holders in the work of the Human Rights Council and values their contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights. In this context, we underscore the importance of accuracy, objectivity and impartiality in reporting, consistent with HRC resolution 5/2. We further underline that the reports and communications of mandate holders should be grounded in objective and verifiable facts with due regard to the perspectives of the states concerned. Bangladesh remains committed to constructive engagement with the UN human rights mechanisms in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation.

I thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you very much. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Canada.

Thank you, Mr. Vice-President. Canada thanks the Special Rapporteur for this important report.

Every woman and girl has the right to

make informed decisions about her body, health and future, free from discrimination and violence. Yet, Indigenous women and girls face disproportionate barriers to realizing these rights. The report shows how reproductive violence has advanced colonial objectives by disrupting families, cultures, governance and the continuity of Indigenous peoples. Canada's history of residential schools, forced and coerced sterilization, and discrimination in health systems reflects these patterns. Such violations are neither isolated nor confined to the past. Canada supports the call for truth, justice, reparations, and guarantees of non-repetition. Our own Truth and Reconciliation Commission and National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls documented these harms and their impact on Indigenous women, girls, families, and survivors. Acknowledgement must lead to action. Remedies must be culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, grounded in human rights, and developed with affected Indigenous women and communities. Sustained efforts are needed to achieve lasting change. Mr. Special Rapporteur, what mechanisms can translate findings of truth commissions and national inquiries into measurable outcomes through benchmarks, independent oversight, and sustained participation by Indigenous women, families, and survivors? Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Brazil.

Thank you, President.

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, who shared his understanding that protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights of Indigenous women and girls requires a human rights-based through culturally appropriate approach, addressing intersecting discrimination and ensuring their participation. Brazil appreciates the rapporteur's recognition of our indigenous health subsystem and intercultural protocols, as well as environmental health surveillance of mercury exposure linked to illegal mining in indigenous territories. We remain committed to tackling the impacts of illegal mining, organized crime, and environmental contamination on indigenous communities. Coordinated operations in the Yanomami indigenous territory in the Amazon have dismantled major illegal mining hubs, reducing new illegal mining sites by 99%. Brazil also values the first national conference of indigenous women held in 2025 as a milestone, reinforcing their role as right holders, leaders, and decision makers. Brazil advocates enhanced participation of indigenous peoples in the United Nations. Indigenous peoples must speak for themselves and participate directly in discussions and decisions affecting them. I thank you, Sir President.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Australia.

Thank you, Vice President.

Australia welcomes the Special Rapporteur's planned country visit this November and, consistent with our ongoing approach, we will engage constructively and transparently on challenges affecting First Nations peoples. We thank the Special Rapporteur for his report on sexual and reproductive health and rights of Indigenous women and girls.

Australia recognises that First Nations women and girls experience poorer health

outcomes and barriers in accessing culturally safe sexual and reproductive health care, and we acknowledge the ongoing impacts of historical injustices and discrimination.

Australia remains strongly committed to improving Indigenous health outcomes and strengthening cultural safety through genuine partnership, shared

decision making, and Indigenous leadership in health policy and service delivery. We are working to improve access to high quality, culturally safe healthcare through the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan, support for Aboriginal community controlled health services, and investments in women's health and culturally safe models of care. Special Rapporteur, what are some examples of best practice for addressing barriers facing indigenous women and girls in accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare?

Thank you.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia.

Mr. Vice-President, Malaysia thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report. We share the view that indigenous women and girls should enjoy equitable access to quality health care, free from discrimination, violence and coercion. We particularly note the report emphasized on barriers to culturally appropriate healthcare and on the importance of respecting indigenous knowledge system and ensuring meaningful participation in decisions affecting the health and well-being. In Malaysia, effort to improve the well-being of indigenous communities are pursued through targeted measures in healthcare, nutrition, education, infrastructure, and socioeconomic development. The government is also formulating a new Orang Asli development policy, which includes health as one of seven priority areas. We believe that improving health outcomes require accessible services while recognizing the particular circumstances, cultures, and needs of indigenous communities. This is consistent with our broader effort to build a more equitable, inclusive, and people-centered health system. Malaysia also recognizes the value of preserving appropriate traditional knowledge and strengthening community participations, particularly among indigenous women in policies and programs affecting their health. We will welcome the special rapporteur's views on good practices for integrating culturally appropriate approaches and relevant traditional knowledge into national health systems without compromising the quality, safety and accessibility of health care services for Indigenous women and girls.

Thank you.

Thank you. I call on the distinguished representative of Armenia.

Vice President, Armenia thanks the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of reports, including the one on the rights of Indigenous women and girls. We welcome the report's emphasis on meaningful participation in decisions affecting their lives, lands, communities, and environment. This discussion is particularly timely as Armenia prepares to host the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity later this year. COP17 will provide an important opportunity to advance implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the work under Article 8j, including through its new permanent subsidiary body. The meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and the recognition and preservation of their traditional knowledge are integral to these processes. Armenia attaches particular importance to the participation of women and local communities in environmental decision making and to preserving traditional knowledge, including its transmission to future generations. We believe that the discussions taking place in this Council can make an important contribution to ensuring that human rights perspectives are reflected across broader international efforts to protect biodiversity and advance sustainable development.

I thank you.

Thank you very much. And I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Japan.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Japan thanks Mr. Special Rapporteur for his presentation. We note that the Special Rapporteur's report focuses on violation of the sexual and reproductive health and rights of indigenous women and girls. The government of Japan, however, is not of the view that the people born in Okinawa are indigenous people or that they are part of an indigenous ethnic group, nor is such a view widely In fact, the voices of protest have been raised in several municipal assembly in Okinawa stating that such a view is incorrect. Japanese people living in or born in Okinawa prefecture are Japanese national and their right are guaranteed fully and without distinction. Concerning the Sedo recommendation mentioned in the report, incident or accident involving U.S. military personnel and others, including cases of violence against women in Okinawa, caused great concern among local community and should never occur. It is important that the preventive measure announced by the United States in July 2024 are implemented thoroughly to prevent the recurrence of such incident and accident. Japan will continue to urge the United States to strengthen discipline within U.S. forces in Japan and improvement to prevent major war, cooperating with the United States. I thank you, Mr. Vice President.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation.

Vice President. We have carefully looked at the report by the Special Rapporteur, and we agree that the most destructive action against indigenous peoples was the colonial policy waged by a number of European countries, the US and Canada. The consequences of that are still tangible today, not just in the sphere of healthcare and the psychological and social well-being of indigenous peoples. Control on their reproduction and abduction of children, and the way in which First Nation girls were treated are practices from not too distant past, the report has portrayed the awful consequences of the authorities' measures to sterilize the female Inuit population, and this has also led to very long-term consequences, and the risk goes on. We call on the Special Rapporteur to continue paying attention to these topics. And we ask the Special Rapporteur to broaden his geographic scope and look into the extent, geographically, of the colonial policies and their impacts. And we also believe that the information of the states should also be taken into account. But unfortunately, the Special Rapporteur does not always take official information from the state into account. For instance, he did not take into account the information submitted by the Russian Federation when preparing his last report. Thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Vice President, the DRC would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of his report. Our country reaffirms its unwavering support for the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples, in particular those of pygmy girls and women, who all too often have been marginalized in the face of historic discrimination and sociocultural barriers. Aware of these challenges, the DRC has taken a historic step through the enactment of a law on the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous pygmy populations. These legislations ensure they can access basic services, including sexual and reproductive health services, and it seeks to combat all forms of violence and stigmatization. We share the view according to which appropriate health care and the preservation of their dignity require concerted action. The DRC remains determined to strengthen its public policies so as to ensure that no girl or no indigenous girl or indigenous women should suffer any further discrimination in terms of accessing health care. The DRC would like to reiterate its call to strengthen international cooperation and to share best practices in order to support the implementation of these legislative reforms on the ground. It is through collective and sustained commitment that we will be able to ensure a future full of dignity and prosperity for all indigenous girls and women around the world. Thank you.

I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cameroon.

Thank you, Vice-President. Cameroon would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for his report on the historic and modern injustices against the health and reproductive rights of indigenous women and girls. My country believes also that full realization of these rights requires an approach based on non-discrimination, access to healthcare, in particular culturally appropriate healthcare services, as well as full and effective participation by indigenous women, in particular those living in rural or landlocked areas or in regions that are struck by conflict and displacement. Such The Cameroon has been implementing its eighth country cooperation program, Cameroon UNFPA for 2022-2026. This program seeks to foster access to sexual and reproductive health and reduce avoidable maternal deaths and also to combat gender-based violence and harmful practices. From 15th and 16th July 2026 in Bamenda, there was a training session for representatives from the Mbororo community on human rights and protection mechanisms. This was organized in conjunction with the regional office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights so as to step up their capacities in terms of protecting and promoting human rights. Finally, Special Rapporteur, what forms of international cooperation and technical assistance do you recommend in order to help States, especially developing States, to strengthen culturally appropriate healthcare services for women and girls? Thank you.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. We take note of the report of the Special Rapporteur and recognize the importance of protecting the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all women and girls. We recognize the barriers faced by women and girls in remote and underserved communities and remain committed to expanding equitable, quality, and respectful sexual and reproductive health services. We are, however, concerned by the allegations contained in paragraph 69, which Tanzania categorically rejects insofar as they concern Tanzania. While framed broadly as concerning East Africa, footnote 97 relies on a single media article specifically concerning Maasai communities in Tanzania. On this issue, two presidential commissions on land issues and voluntary relocations submitted their reports on 12 March 2026, providing a basis for continued dialogue and appropriate measures. Conservation challenges are complex and require scientifically informed solutions that protect both communities and the environment. Ignoring environmental and ecological degradation endangers the lives and livelihoods of the very people we are obliged to protect. Human rights and environmental protections must therefore reinforce, rather than undermine, each other. We emphasize that serious allegations of forced relocation and sexual violence require rigorous verification, engagement with the state consent, and credible and balanced evidence. I thank you, Mr. Vice President.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. Now I'd like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Thank you, Vice-President. We would like to make the statement on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter. The group would like to underscore the importance of cooperation with the United Nations underpinned in the principles of true dialogue and constructive cooperation. This cooperation must be guided to building on the capacities of state that so require it by providing tools that will allow them to guarantee the promotion, protection, and enjoyment of the human rights of their peoples, including the right to development. Also, it must contribute to stepping up the pace of efforts aimed at the effective implementation of the 2030 agenda through a people-faced approach, mainly vulnerable populations. UN mechanisms, in keeping with its mandate for the promotion and protection of human rights, must seek for verification of the information received to make sure it's trustworthy and avoid being mired by deceit and fraudulent use of protection and complaints mechanisms, particularly when they are used for proselytizing purposes. We urge the Secretary-General to embrace a constructive approach of cooperation with states. The Group of Friends would like to invite the UN system to consider in all its reports actions running counter to the UN Charter and international law, which negatively impact the enjoyment of all human rights by whole populations. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Now I'd like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ireland.

Thank you.

Ireland aligns with the statement of the EU and thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report.

We reiterate our support for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which affirms the individual and collective rights of indigenous peoples.

We are concerned by the Special Rapporteur's findings on the persistent violation of indigenous women's sexual and

reproductive health and rights, and the use of these violations to control indigenous peoples. We are also deeply concerned that indigenous women and girls continue to experience disproportionate

levels of sexual gender-based violence, reproductive coercion, barriers to culturally appropriate healthcare, and exclusion from decision-making.

Preventing and countering violence against women and girls is a priority for Ireland in our domestic and foreign policy.

We are fully committed to ending gender-based violence, including through our support programmes across the world. We also

recognize that full access to sexual and reproductive health and rights is fundamental for the transformation of health and well-being and is a driver for gender equality. Special rapporteur, how

can we ensure support for the leadership of indigenous women, including human rights defenders, knowledge holders, health practitioners, and community leaders, as well as their full and effective participation in decision-making processes?

I thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. Now I'd like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Pakistan.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Pakistan takes note of the Special Rapporteur's report. The use of violence against indigenous women and girls as an instrument of territorial expansion and cultural erasure remains a traumatic legacy of colonialism. We note with concern the frequent and alarming recurrence of systematic violence against women, children and families as a means to suppress the right to self-determination in situations of foreign occupations. In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the plight of the Bakarwal community facing forcible evictions and seizures of their indigenous lands by the Indian occupation forces merit sustained attention. Pakistan reiterates the need for applying the lens of indigenous peoples to relevant states shaped by settler colonial experience and legacies. Broadening the Indigenous Peoples framework to states that do not share that context results in a loss of conceptual clarity, risks undermining the principle of equal citizenship, and weakens protections for communities it was designed to serve. We note that the harms documented in this report were caused overwhelmingly by external actors, including colonial powers, yet the recommendations are addressed to affected States alone. This asymmetry, Mr. Special Rapporteur, could be rectified through recommendations on enhanced international cooperation with and support to affected States, particularly developing countries. I thank you.

Thank you very much. Now I'd like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kenya.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Kenya takes note of the report of the Special Rapporteur. Kenya's commitment to the rights of Indigenous Peoples is firmly anchored in the Constitution, which provides specific protections for marginalized and Indigenous communities, including their participation, representation, and community land rights. Kenya emphasizes the importance of equitable access to quality maternal and reproductive health care for Indigenous women and girls. In this regard, we recognize the importance of addressing barriers to access while respecting beneficial traditional knowledge and practices. We further recognize the need to address sexual and gender-based violence against indigenous women and girls, including through access to justice, effective remedies, and appropriate support for survivors. Kenya believes that efforts to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights should recognize the particular circumstances and experience of indigenous women and girls. Their meaningful participation in the development of policies and programs affecting their health and well-being is essential to ensuring that responses are inclusive, culturally appropriate, and responsive to their needs. Kenya remains committed to advancing the rights of indigenous women and girls in accordance with the constitutional framework and international human rights obligations. I thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. Now I would like to give a floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba.

Mr. Vice President, nearly 20 years following the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, women and girls of these same peoples continue to suffer disproportionately from acts of sexual and gender-based violence, obstacles in having access to proper health care, and from exclusion of the decisions that affect their lives and communities. We agree with the Special Rapporteur in that the protection of the right to health and sexual reproductive health of Indigenous women requires the recognition of the inalienable rights of these people, among them the right to free determination to the land, territory, and resources, and the respect of their systems of knowledge. States have a responsibility to confront the consequences of historical injustices and ensure that Indigenous women and girls can fully enjoy all rights, including those to health and sexual and reproductive rights, under the principle of free, prior and informed consent. Cuba will continue to call for the defense, the recognition and the effective enjoyment of the rights of Indigenous peoples. Progress has been made. but a lot still remains to be done. Our country will continue to contribute to the efforts in order to attain the full implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Thank you very much.

Thank you. This is the last speaker on my list, which brings us now to the National Human Rights Institutions list of speakers. And I would like to give the floor to the Human Rights Commissioner of the Ukrainian Parliament through a video statement.

Distinguished Special Reporter, ladies and gentlemen, for more than 12 years, Crimea Tatars, the indigenous people of Ukraine, have lived under constant persecution in the temporarily occupied Crimea. They are arrested, prosecuted on false charges of terrorism and extremism. denied fair trials, and held in inhuman conditions. From the start of 2026, 128 arrests, 139 violations of the right to a fair trial, and 47 detentions were documented. The same policy affects other national minorities through unlawful detention, forced Russian citizenship, and attacks on freedom of religion. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, 800 religious sites have been damaged or destroyed. Every person has the right to keep their identity, practice their religion, and live without fear. Therefore, I call the international community to demand an immediate end to the persecution of indigenous peoples, national minorities, and religious communities. ensure unimpeded access for international monitoring missions to the temporarily occupied territories, and hold the Russian Federation accountable for these violations. Thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. And now I'd like to give the floor to the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.

Mr. Vice President, Special Rapporteur, GANRI welcomes this report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous peoples. We are deeply concerned by the persistence of violations affecting indigenous women and girls, including those resulting from discrimination, violations, barriers to health services, and the lack of effective access to justice and remedies. National human rights institutions have an important role to play in addressing these challenges. Through monitoring, investigations, complaints handling, reporting and engagement with the States and Indigenous Peoples, NHRI's can contribute to identify systematic violations and strengthening accountability. GANRI stresses the importance of ensuring the meaningful and effective participation of Indigenous women and girls in the development and implementation of measures affecting their rights. We therefore call on States to strengthen measures to prevent and address violations of the sexual and reproductive health and rights of Indigenous women and girls, ensure access to effective remedies and provide entry with the necessary independence and resources to monitor these rights and contribute to accountability. GANRI has a dedicated caucus on Indigenous Peoples' Rights, which provides a platform for NHRIs from different regions to exchange experience and strengthen their collective engagement in advancing these rights. GANRI reaffirms its commitment to supporting NHRIs in advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples and combating discrimination in all its forms. I thank you, Mr. Vice President.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. Now we move on to the list of speakers from indigenous peoples. And I would like to give the floor to Durand.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. We would like to thank the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Broume, for his report and for his commitment to the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples. His report notes, though, that indigenous women and girls in the Fulani and Tuareg in Burkina Faso face the consequences of climate change and serious violations of their fundamental rights. This situation raises great concerns under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, namely Article 7 on the right to life, to physical integrity and mental integrity and security. Article 24 also recognizes the right to health and access without discrimination to health services. How can these indigenous women and girls enjoy fully from the rights to sexual reproductive health and to health when the survival of their entire community is threatened by the very states who are supposed to protect them? The Global Alliance for Indigenous People encourages under your mandate to grant particular attention to the situation of nomads in Burkina Faso and Mali. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Now I'd like to give the floor to the Crimean Tatar Youth Center.

Thank you, Vice-President. I'm speaking on behalf of the Crimean Tatar people of Ukraine. Ukraine is a home of three indigenous peoples: Crimean Tatars, Crimean Karaites, and Krumchaks. Yet, despite the serious challenges they face, the situation of the indigenous peoples of Ukraine has received very limited attention within this mandate. We particularly encourage the Special Rapporteur to include Ukraine and its indigenous peoples in his future thematic work. This is especially relevant given the recent reports of the Special Rapporteur on the recognition of indigenous peoples and on the demarcation, registration, and titling of indigenous peoples' lands, territories, and resources. For the Crimean Tatar people, these questions are not theoretical. Our homeland, Crimea, remains under Russian occupation, while the recognition and protection of collective rights, including rights to lands, territories, and resources, remain essential for the future restoration of those rights. We also believe that the ongoing international discussion on need for an ICG advisory opinion on the rights of indigenous peoples deserve attention within this mandate. It is particularly important for indigenous peoples in situations of occupations, conflict, and dispossession. Finally, we would like to once again invite the Special Rapporteur to visit Ukraine and engage directly with the Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine. We believe that such a visit would provide an important opportunity to better understand our experiences and to strengthen international protection of our rights. Thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. Now I'd like to give the floor to Anish, now with Business Professional Association.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I deliver this statement on behalf of the Anishinabe Business Professional Association and my community, Gunungaming First Nation. signatory of James Bay Treaty number nine in northern Ontario, Canada. We thank the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples for supporting our participation today. Treaty number nine rights holders have ancestral territory in the area known as the Ring of Fire, which encompasses one of the Earth's largest peatland carbon sinks and living cultural heritage landscapes. Yet capital market regulators, specifically the Ontario Securities Commission and Canadian securities administrators fail to enforce UNDRIP human rights due diligence or the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada call to action number 92. Regulators allow mining companies to raise capital on stock exchanges without disclosing free prior informed consent, revocations, or customary tenure disputes. Building on the Special Rapporteur's 2023 mission to Canada, recent Supreme Court of Canada legal precedents, including Gitxaala and London Mining, confirmed that unconsulted mining claims create material operational liabilities by permitting unconsented development to be commercialized under the guise of performative reconciliation. We urge the Special Rapporteur to examine these financial oversight gaps and issue communication to Canadian regulators.

Thank you very much. Now I would like to give the floor to the organization Maya W'oyob Cambio.

Thank you very much, Vice-President, Special Rapporteur, we would like to thank you for your report. The Maya W'oyob organization would like to thank the Fellowship Program of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples. Thank you for your support in making my participation here at this very important forum possible. It is important to see the role of Indigenous women in community life. She is a trainer, a healer, bringer of freedom, and the very backbone which ensures the continuity of our peoples. Rapporteur, we are deeply concerned by the violation of our rights to health, to sexual and reproductive rights, for they are a structural, cross-cutting violence that affects us from early childhood due to our gender and ethnic belonging. The environmental degradation arising from the indiscriminate use of agrotoxins and territorial extractive activities leads to severe reproductive pathologies which have transgenerational impact as they attack the physical integrity of women and indigenous girls. social cohesion of communities is fractured and social reproduction of our peoples is jeopardized. We call that we are not used as instruments or that we're not instrumentalized by calling us guardians and denying our right to property, to ownership and consultation over our land. We are the original owners, full right holders. Thank you.

Thank you very much. I would like to give the floor to the New Caledonia Constitutional Council.

Vice-President, Special Rapporteur, congratulations on your report. I speak on behalf of the Dreu customary council, recognized by the French Republic, also as Kanak individual from an indigenous group in Melanesia, who are struggling for self-determination. Your report shows that many attacks go unpunished. West Papua constitutes a paradigmatic case. On July 2, 2026, Malkiana Dubu, an indigenous woman, was killed in her home by a gun wound. In January, in Bioga, 12 members of the army raped a 40-year-old indigenous woman. In Indonesia, the National Human Rights Commission has recorded 59 deaths, 50 seriously injured persons. the right to self-determination, protection of the people, enshrined in Article 1, must be applied for all people equally. Indonesia must be informed of these cases. Indonesia should apply recommendations 106A of the report, as well as those of treaty bodies, and to disclose the content and the investigation of the death of Madam Dwi Tjo. And member states, for them to support access of the High Commissioner on the 2018 invitation recalled by the forum. of West Pacific in his statement at the 55th Forum in Palau.

Oleti wawa wawa.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. I would like to give the floor now to Wandi Ma, Human Rights Watch India, through a video statement.

Distinguished Chair, the indigenous Naga people in Manipur face an existential threat due to the government of India's proxy counterinsurgency policy. Under the suspension of operations agreement with the government, Kuki militant camps are strategically embedded in Naga areas. We are facing unchecked cross-border demographic incursion by Kuki refugees from Myanmar and illicit poppy cultivation tied to Kuki militants. The Indian government's complicity is evident in the blatant unchecked nexus between the Kuki militants and Kuki politicians. including the current Deputy Chief Minister, who is the wife of a top Kuki militant leader. The militant groups continuously violate the ground rules through attacks on Naga people and villages. The horrific abduction of 18 Nagas on 13 May 2026, which left six Nagas dead with their bodies mutilated, is a glaring example of such impunity being allowed to continue unchecked by the government.

The arbitrary creation of

in 2016, the illegal voter registration of undocumented immigrants and the recognition of unauthorized villages threaten to alter the indigenous demography and displace the Naga people. We seek the UN's intervention to question the government of India's inaction in dealing with the Manipur crisis.

Thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. Now I'd like to give the floor to the Amazigh World Congress.

Vice President, thank you. Special Rapporteur, on behalf of the World Amazigh Congress, I would like to congratulate you on the quality of your report on health and sexual and reproductive rights of indigenous women and girls. As you note, thanks particularly to their knowledge and know-how, indigenous women play a central role in the survival and continuity of their peoples. From our perspective, Those who deprive indigenous women of their rights harm not only this women as specific social group, but through them, they also harm the peoples to which they belong. The aim is to weaken these indigenous peoples, thereby making their assimilation and fragmentation easier. It is therefore doubly urgent and necessary to put an end to violence and violations of the rights of Indigenous women, to recognize and respect their rights, and to provide redress for the harm that they have suffered. I would like to take an opportunity in this debate in order to say that over the past few years, too many pregnant Aymara women have died due to lack of health care near them. In Algeria, Amazigh Kabyle women, such as Mira Mokhtari Tichani and others, are in prison for having demanded the most basic rights to be respected. Last week, Nadia Massawi, an Amazigh language teacher, was arrested and imprisoned.

Thank you very much. Now I would like to give the floor to the World Indigenous Nations Support International.

Respectful greetings to all delegations. At the outset, we would prefer building on the strengths of previously accepted and agreed to wording and resolutions. Our concern is to an escalation of sidelining human rights generally and of inherent treaty and human rights of Indigenous peoples in particular. It's important then for us to add our voice of support to Indigenous peoples, thanking Canada and also state members who stand with us. We urge all states in compliance with their commitments to the UN Declaration to resist any introduction of qualifications or limitations on our rights. We applaud OP-P.22/23 and the new additional amendment to PP.14 and 14 bis as it includes peace and goodwill treaties 6, 7, and 8, referenced in the recently adopted international declaration on Indigenous peacebuilding. This week marks the commemoration of 150th anniversary of our International Treaty Number 6 on September 25th. In conclusion, in a spirit of reconciliation, we implore all delegations to ensure the continuation of all UN specific mechanisms.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. I would like to give the floor now to the Leningrad Regional Public Organization Vespian Community.

I'm speaking on behalf of the Organization of Indigenous Peoples of Russia, the Veps community. In order to ensure objective and a comprehensive assessment and particular the development of guidelines that are universal by the UN system, we must take into account the national specificities and priorities of Indigenous Peoples. Yet a broad and arbitrary interpretation of the concept of Indigenous Peoples can blur the specific legal status they have and also reduce the efficacy of any mechanisms aiming at protecting their collective rights. The legal concept of indigenous peoples' lands in Russia includes not just legal recognition for their right to land, but also de facto access to the lands and biological resources. At the same time, legal mechanisms for the practical implementation of specific rights require further enhancement, especially in the field of fishing and hunting, including in protected natural areas. Therefore, the indigenous peoples of Russia have developed and introduced a number of proposals, many of which have been taken into account in the draft national strategy for biodiversity. We recommend strengthening cooperation between the UN mechanism on indigenous peoples and international nature conservation processes in order to ensure a more consistent taking into account of the rights of indigenous peoples.

I thank you.

Thank you very much. And now I would like to give the floor to the indigenous organization, CONQUAMA.

Thank you very much, Mr. Vice President. I would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for his report on identifying, demarcation, registering, and titling the land of Indigenous peoples. This report is particularly relevant to Colombia and to many other countries where the pendulum effect in the protection of rights means that regression remains a persistent threat. There is still a latent risk arising from changes of government, shifts in public policies and state priorities of the economic interests that target our territory, and the lack of robust mechanisms to protect from aggression. Addressing this reality should be a priority for this mandate. In this regard, we wish to draw your attention to the danger currently facing the legal frameworks for the protection of Indigenous territorial entities in Colombia and others. such as the legal framework protecting the black line in my territory. Of particular importance is the protection of the territories of indigenous peoples with initial contact and in the Sierra Nevada in Gona Windua, lands that must be excluded from mining, which is why we would like to request the Special Rapporteur that in the next study he devoted to considering the regression of rights that we indigenous peoples face and providing a general landscape with a new perspective, proposing solutions to the latent risk that we face in the seven social cultural regions. Thank you.

Thank you very much. This was the last speaker that we had time for in this dialogue, which now brings us to the list of non-governmental organizations. I would like to give the floor to Frontline.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Ecuador, in spite of recognizing in its constitution that there are rights in nature, has over the past three years been experiencing retrogression. Progress of extractive activities on territorial land, backed by a new legal framework which limits the civic space and the right to defend rights, has weakened the participation of communities in decisions that affect their land and has facilitated them from being removed from their lands. Acts have been repressed, as seen by the violent state response during the National Indigenous Strike in September 2025, and the criminalization of human rights defenders and defenders of nature. The case of Indigenous women and girls of the Tangana people is an emblematic one. They were victims of genocide with massacres that took place in 2003 and 2013. Given this situation, Ecuador chose to keep oil in the ITT subsoil, which is a territory of isolated peoples. And in 2025, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights had a ruling that ordered the state to develop legislation to protect indigenous girls in extractive context to ensure that their voice is heard. to fulfill the wills expressed in 2020 to be consultation and guarantee comprehensive protection of people in isolation with the principle of non-contact. However, the state of Ecuador still has a deep unpaid debt. None of these binding resolutions has been fulfilled. Thank you.

I would like to give the floor now to Minority Rights Group through a video statement.

We welcome your report and its central findings that violations of the sexual and reproductive

health and rights of Indigenous women and girls are neither isolated incidences nor matters of the past.

For Indigenous peoples, birth is not merely a clinical event.

It is a cultural, spiritual, and collective expression of self-determination. When indigenous midwifery is undermined, indigenous people lose vital systems that sustain language, identity, lineage, culture, and community wellbeing.

The report highlights that colonial states criminalised indigenous midwifery.

In June 2026, the International Confederation of Midwives suspended its only position statement, naming indigenous midwives, indigenous self-determination, and the impacts of colonisation.

So therefore, we call on states to recognize, regulate, and resource midwives,

to support indigenous-led education pathways, and support indigenous representation in the ICM governance and reinstatement of the position statement. We also call on UNFPA, UNICEF, and WHO to publish without further delay the commissioned study on indigenous women and girls and sexual and reproductive health.

The rights of Indigenous women and girls cannot be realized without recognizing and protecting the rights of Indigenous midwives.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I am delivering this statement in representation of our communities in Manipur, India. Gelga World welcomes the Special Rapporteur's report and its recognition on how colonial control over Indigenous bodies, reproduction, family relations, and knowledge systems continues to drive contemporary human rights violations. The rise of neocolonialism has once again reinforced strict binary and internal normative understandings of gender and sexual identity, contributing to the suppression of culturally specific identities and roles. One example is the erasure of the Manipuri indigenous identities of Nupimambi and Nupamamba in the Transgender Persons Amendment Act in 2026, even though these indigenous identities existed long before. This has direct consequences for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of indigenous people with diverse sexual and gender identities. This is evident in Manipur, where indigenous trans persons lack access to adequate healthcare services, hormone medication, essential supplies and safe shelter, while exposed to heightened violence and internal displacement by both state and non-state actors. Special Rapporteur, how can States ensure that culturally appropriate sexual and reproductive health care and indigenous data systems recognize ancestral and diverse sexual and gender identities? Thank you.

Thank you. For a joint statement, I recognize Center for Reproductive Rights.

Thank you, Mr. President.

We welcome the Special Rapporteur's recognition that violations of indigenous women and girls' sexual and reproductive health and rights are not only a legacy of historical abuse but a contemporary and systemic human rights issue. The report shows that indigenous women routinely face racism, coercion, denial of culturally appropriate care, and the dismissal of their knowledge and pain. It notes that structural discrimination is reflected across the full continuum of sexual and reproductive health care, including inadequate access to information and contraceptives and the criminalization of abortion. These barriers are particularly acute in maternal healthcare. They contribute to profound inequalities in health outcomes, including disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality. States must ensure and guarantee universal access to quality, affordable, accessible and culturally acceptable sexual and reproductive health services. We welcome the report's recommendation to institutionalise intercultural health systems that recognise and support indigenous midwives and other indigenous traditional models of care, while ensuring free and informed consent. To the Special Rapporteur, Please can you elaborate on your findings that restrictions on traditional birthing practices and the marginalization of indigenous midwives affect indigenous women's reproductive autonomy, and on the steps states must take to guarantee such autonomy?

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

I recognize International Planned Parenthood Federation.

Thank you, Vice-President.

We welcome the report, to which we contributed through our member associations. violations of Indigenous women's sexual and reproductive health and rights are not confined to the past. They persist through structures rooted in colonialism, racism, discrimination and patriarchy. We particularly welcome the recognition of discrimination in health care systems and environmental contamination as contemporary forms of SRHR violations. We also welcome the report's focus on reparations, intercultural care, and segregated data, grounded in Indigenous data sovereignty. We would like to highlight two areas that could be further developed as this work moves forward. First, young people. Indigenous adolescents face particular barriers to comprehensive sexuality education and youth-friendly services. Their specific needs as right-holders in their own right merit dedicated attention. Second, abortion. The report rightly identifies the criminalization of abortion as a barrier. Our members report continued reliance on unsafe abortion, often because women are unaware of their legal rights. Access to safe abortion services and information should be an explicit part of states' responses. Special rapporteur, how can states ensure that indigenous-led and community-based providers are sustainably funded and recognized within national health systems? and that Indigenous peoples' SRHR are recognized as central to their control over their lands, bodies, health, and futures. Thank

you.

Thank you very much. I recognize Beijing NGO Association for International Exchanges.

Mr. Vice President, the Ainu and U.K. Indigenous people have long suffered systematic modernization and colonial oppression under Japanese rule. For centuries, the Ainu were dispossessed of their ancestral lands, banned from speaking their native language, and prohibited from practicing their traditional ceremonies. Although Japan formally recognized the Ainu as indigenous people in 2019, profound inequalities remain. The Ryukyu people of Okinawa bear distinct and heavy grievances. Following the illegal annexation of the Ryukyu Kingdom, their language and cultural identities were systematically suppressed. Their appeals for cultural preservation and recognition of their indigenous status have been repeatedly ignored by the Japanese government. The United Nations Human Rights Committee has found that discrimination against Ainu and Yuko people remained deeply entrenched in economic, cultural and social aspects. I urge Japan to fully acknowledge these historical injustices, return ancestral territories, open historical archives, and engage directly with the affected Ainu and U.K. communities to deliver meaningful redress. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

I recognize International Presentation Association.

Your Excellencies. The International Presentation Association, inspired by the venerable Nano Nagle, advances the well-being of women and children, indigenous and tribal peoples, and the earth through grassroots action and global advocacy. The report of the Special Rapporteur demonstrates widespread violations of the sexual and reproductive health of Indigenous women and girls. These violations are not confined to history. They remain among the most pervasive and least acknowledged dimensions of Indigenous subjugation, taking the form of forced sterilization, removal of children from families, and gender-based violence. These abuses have been systematically embedded into laws, policies, and social norms to assert control over Indigenous peoples, their lands, cultures, and futures. Some states have taken important steps to acknowledge and address these injustices, but progress remains uneven. We call upon all states to ensure truth, justice, reparations, and guarantees of non-repetition, to repeal discriminatory laws and policies affecting indigenous women's sexual and reproductive health and rights, guarantee the full, meaningful, and effective participation of indigenous women in all decisions affecting their communities, provide culturally appropriate and accessible sexual and reproductive health services, and to adopt and enforce comprehensive measures to prevent, investigate, and respond to all forms of gender-based violence. Thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. I recognize Right Livelihood Award Foundation.

Vice President, we thank the Special Rapporteur for this significant report, and in particular, for acknowledging that Violations of the health and sexual reproductive rights of women and indigenous girls cannot be separated from control over their lands, resources and future. This is a reality in the North Caribbean coast of Nicaragua. The systematic invasion of territory by armed settlers, dispossession and forced displacement violate the corporal or the bodily autonomy and health of women and girls. The Network for Defenders of Indigenous Defenders has documented how the climate of insecurity and impunity has prevented them from moving towards centres for health care and to have access to medicinal plants. Furthermore, we have recorded an alarming increase in physical and sexual violence directed at them. Girls face forced marriage and forced pregnancy, and there are serious geographical, linguistic and cultural barriers to accessing health care services. We ask the rapporteur what specific measures the States and the UN can adopt to address the intersection between territorial dispossession and gender-based violence, specifically in contexts where organisations and defenders are documenting these violations and are being persecuted. Thank you.

I give the floor to Edmund Rice International Ltd.

ERI welcomes progress on Indigenous rights in Australia, but remains concerned by persistent inequalities affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Indigenous Australians still experience significant disparities in health, education, housing and employment. Average life expectancy is 17 years less than for other Australians.

Indigenous people are incarcerated at 16 to 20 times higher rates.

Rejection of the 2023 referendum on a voice to parliament demonstrated ongoing disagreement over how Indigenous rights should be advanced. These inequalities cannot be separated from historical injustices. The forced removal of Indigenous children from their families created the stolen generations with continuing intergenerational consequences. Historical government family planning programs aimed to reduce Aboriginal fertility rates, often without informed consent. Australia has acknowledged important aspects of this history, including through the 2008 national apology to the Stolen Generations. The recognition of native title in the 1990s affirmed that Indigenous rights survived colonisation. The next question is one of authority. Recognition of rights must be accompanied by the meaningful capacity of Indigenous peoples to participate in decisions concerning their communities, lands, cultures and future. This requires institutions that respect indigenous laws, customs and knowledge and ensure that indigenous voices are not merely heard, but have meaningful influence over decisions affecting them. Mr. Special Rapporteur, how can Australia strengthen mechanisms for indigenous self-determination, participation and accountability?

Thank you very much. I give the floor for a joint statement to Franciscans International.

Mr. President, we welcome the special rapporteur's report. Across West Papua, Indonesia, indigenous women struggle to access quality, affordable sexual and reproductive healthcare services. In the last census, Papua and Papua Barat forces provinces had the highest and maternal mortality rise in Indonesia. In the highlands, indigenous women walk for hours or days to give birth or access bases. Her care, her service, they face administrative, stigma, and racism when skin care. Secure Network has documented community health centers, BHS, military we ask the Indonesian government to withdraw military presence in and across the healthcare facilities and to ensure adequate stand and medical supply at facilitating in conflict areas. Thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. This was the last speaker we could accommodate. I now give the floor to the Special Rapporteur for final comments. You have seven minutes. Please go ahead.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Let me start by thanking all those who had the opportunity to welcome the report, but also to comment on it and ask questions. It's highly appreciated. And let me take this opportunity also to start by thanking the President of Botswana for personally taking time to respond to my report on Botswana. I have to say, let me make a couple of points before I go to some specific questions. And those sort of general point will meet some of the questions that have been raised, including mostly by country from Africa and to some extent Asia. And it for that reason that I actually wanted to mention the case of Botswana here. I do and it for the same reasons that I devoted my first report as a special rapporteur on recognitions. As I said last year on this same place, it is indeed impossible for a state to deliver on rights that it does not recognize or right holders that it doesn't correctly recognize. I do understand that a number of states in Africa and Asia mostly are struggling with the concept. But there have been progress, and it's because of those kind of progress that we had the kind of messages like we just had from His Excellency, the President of Botswana. Like any African country, Botswana is also a country where you have a multi-ethnic state with different ethnic groups, and none of those ethnic groups can pretend to have more rights than others. And the objective, indeed, of the concept indigenous people has never been to put one group above another. It's a norm. They are principles and human rights guidance written with the view to making state more inclusive, but most importantly, to enable state to reconcile with their history. There are numerous state across regions that were established on historical injustices committed against certain section of their populations. And there has not been, until the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the ILO 169 and other relevant international, there were no international human right instruments specifically devised to enable the state to reconcile with their history, some of that history being painful history. So what I'm saying as a Special Rapporteur is really to encourage those states that are yet to understand that the concept Indigenous Peoples is not a concept to fear, is not a concept that divides states, is not a threat to states, on the contrary. And as many cases in Africa are showing, start to show, illustrated by the case of Bissau, the concept enables inclusive governance. It enables a state to cater for, some time, the leftover, the most vulnerable or discriminated section of national populations. Mr. Chair, let me thank and allow me not to really, we did capture the questions and allow me not to name individual questions, but let me make a number of responses. One first element is to underline the extent of this historical violation of Indigenous women reproductive health and rights remain unknown in most countries. It's one of those oldest injustices, one I think of the most horrible crime committed against Indigenous people, yet remain in many countries undocumented, and the extent of the violation remain mostly unknown. It means that I really encourage States, and I welcome all those States in this Chamber, that do see the critical importance of that redress measures that need to be urgently put in place. It's 20 years since the declaration was adopted, the declaration is meant essentially to enable state reconcile with their indigenous peoples that reconciliation is almost impossible if land right issues and the violation committed against indigenous women reproductive and health rights are not addressed. This has to be a priority if the declaration has to be implemented and become a tool to reconcile state and indigenous people. There is value for states in applying the declaration. The second, Mr. Chair, is to say that The protection of Indigenous people's traditional knowledge relating to childbirth, to health practices, are part of Indigenous people's right to self-determination, because they relate to their fundamental right to life. And it's for that reason, indeed, that they were systematically attacked. not only to disable the cultural integrity of indigenous people, but also directly endanger indigenous people life. It is within that interpretation, it's not just an access to healthcare, it's more than a right to health, a raise an issue of right to life. Mr. Chair, let me say another thing. States have and should recognize first and then take corrective measures and policies, rewrite certain laws or write new law and develop disaggregated data. I strongly recommend the participants and states to go and read in detail the different recommendations that I made in that regard. The Indigenous traditional system of health not only needs to be recognized, it also needs to be supported. It has to be provided with enough resources, and where those practices remain criminalized, They have to be decriminalized as a matter of an urgency. Indigenous people, violations of rights should become a priority and states should ensure, this is something that we underline in the report, that there is a sort of lack of accountability for crime committed against indigenous women and girls across different countries. The police is almost inactive, and there is consistent allegations reaching my mandate and my office of case not properly dealt or addressed by police and judiciary. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you very much. That brings this interactive dialogue to an end. I'd like to thank the Special Rapporteur for being with us. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, we'll now begin the interactive dialogue on the Secretary-General's report on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights. The speakers list will close within the next 15 minutes. I'm pleased to invite Ms. Claudia Fuentes Julio, Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights, to introduce the report by video.

Good morning. I hope you can hear me well. Good morning from New York.

Good day, Vice President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates.

Pleased to join you virtually today to present this year's report of the Secretary General on cooperation with the United Nations, its mechanisms and representatives in the field of human rights. This Council continues to show leadership on addressing intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations. I look forward to engaging with all Member States to increase and sustain attention also by the General Assembly and the Security Council to the safe and meaningful engagement of civil society representatives with the United Nations. Vice President, open and vibrant civic space strengthens human rights and fundamental freedoms. It advances sustainable development and peace, help address global challenges, and enable engagement with organizations by those who need us the most. However, civic space is under growing pressure in all regions across the globe. Such pressure can contribute to an environment of fear and self-censorship by people and organizations seeking to engage with the United Nations. The report before you today documents deeply concerning cases involving human rights defenders, victims of human rights violations and abuses, journalists, lawyers, and trade unionists who were targeted by a state or non-state actors for cooperating or seeking to cooperate with us. These cases span all regions and concern 32 states. the same number as in last year's report. That figure includes nine members of this Council. Annex 1 includes new cases concerning 19 States, three of them appearing for the first time. Annex 2 includes pre-existing cases concerning 20 States that UN mechanisms and entities are actively following up. The Secretary General expresses concern about cases in Annex II that have remained unresolved for years in some cases and urges Member States to address these cases too. I stand ready to support all States in this effort. As noted in past reports, some cases and situations in Annex II are more than isolated incidents. We raised deep concerns that repeated allegations of reprisals reflect a deeper pattern of repression. They also signal that intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations may be part of broader attempts to control civic space and to deter engagement with UN entities and human rights mechanisms. The cases and situations included in this report only partially reflect the actual breadth and scope of the issue. As in previous years, some cases have to be reported anonymously because of concerns for the safety of those making allegations. Other cases were excluded because anonymity was not judged to provide enough protection or because of the risk of further reprisals. The decrease or absence of reported allegations in certain contexts should therefore not be taken as necessarily reflecting any wider trend of improvement. Mr. Vice President, the report details deepening concern over four trends in intimidation and reprisals against those cooperating with the UN. First, transnational repression across borders is increasing. More allegations were reported from all regions. United Nations entities have documented different forms of transnational repression, from allegation of arbitrary detention, criminal charges, and in absentia trials, to surveillance, physical attacks, digital harassments, and movement restrictions. Individuals and organizations were allegedly targeted for cooperating with the United Nations by a state and non-state actors affiliated with their countries of origin or with the countries that were the focus of their work. Such incidents were documented in nearly half of the states included in the present report. Even for the states that were not involved in incidents of transnational repression on their territory, have an obligation to address violations against persons on their territory and ensure accountability and remedy. Second, online and offline surveillance was reported in almost half of the states included in the report, compared to one third last year, a significant increase. Digital technologies are playing a growing role in intimidation and reprisals through surveillance, harassment, coordinated disinformation campaigns, and the targeting of individuals across borders. Third, the report details the persistent misuse and abuse of laws and regulation of counterterrorism, cybercrime, and national security to deter and hinder cooperation with the UN. More than half of the states in the report applied, amended, or enacted laws that criminalize or further restricted civil society activities and created additional obstacles to engagement. Fourth, people continue to see themselves forced to self-censor or to decline entirely to cooperate with the United Nations or doing so on condition of anonymity. Half of the cases in Annex 1 are anonymized as in previous years. Some of the cases are in zone of conflict and crisis. Others are in places with authoritarianism and repressive policies. In some cases, people fear legal, even criminal liability for the simple fact of cooperation with us. UN peace operations document a continued decline in engagement by people and communities. Some cite challenges and obstacles to access and engagement, including restrictions and occupation and destruction of their premises. Excellencies, it is It is particularly alarming and entirely unacceptable that specific groups, including young activists, women, environmental defenders, and indigenous peoples, face heightened risk of being targeted for engaging with the United Nations and standing up for their communities. I intend to look more closely at their situation going forward. The targeting of independent experts of the United Nations human rights mechanisms themselves can also have a deterrent effect on the ability and willingness of people to cooperation and engage with those mechanisms. This calls for a swift, strong, transparent, and coordinated system-wide response. We ourselves need to reinforce awareness, prevention, and risk mitigation as the base safeguards against intimidation and reprisals. Our work is only made possible through safe and meaningful engagement with human rights defenders, civil society interlocutors, victims, survivors, witnesses, family members, and more. If people believe they cannot cooperate safely with the United Nations, we all lose. Mr. Vice President, States bear primarily responsibility for preventing and addressing reprisals. Many have a strong record of good practices, supporting civil society cooperation with the United Nations, promoting positive narratives, and training officials and diplomats on the role of human rights defenders. We also welcome efforts to raise awareness at the national level and to support and protect human rights defenders subjected to reprisals. We extend our appreciation to the group of 70 states that deliver a cross-regional statement on REPSAT at the Third Committee of the General Assembly every year. We are committed to advancing the dissemination and implementation of good practices around the world and across the United Nations system in cooperation with Member States and civil society. Excellencies. Peaceful attempts to protect human rights defenders from reprisals will not succeed in our era of transnational repression and surveillance. National initiatives must be backed by global cooperation that enable us to move forward together. We call on all States to support and protect those who engage with the UN. I am grateful for the continued support of Member States and the trust placed by the Secretary-General in the role of Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights to lead UN system-wide efforts. I also thank you, Mr. President and Vice-President, for your leadership in raising awareness and reinforcing the Council's zero-tolerance stance on the issue. I regret that I will be unable to join tomorrow's session due to time difference. I look forward to your statements and continue our engagement with you on this very critical issue. Thank you.

I thank Madam Fuentes Julio. The list of speakers is now closed. I now invite interested delegations to make questions and comments about the report. The speaking time is one minute, 30 seconds for all. I call on the distinguished representative of Australia on behalf of a group of countries.

Thank you, Vice President. I deliver this statement on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. We want to highlight six cases referenced in the report, while not forgetting those that go unreported and unaddressed. We call on Nicaragua to cease its use of transnational repression online and offline to silence and isolate Nicaraguans in exile. We are appalled by Russia's continued use of legislation against civil society and indigenous peoples, including Daya Yagera. We are deeply concerned by China's reprisals against human rights defenders, including extraterritorially, the 20-year sentence for Jimmy Lai, and guilty verdicts for former Hong Kong Alliance leaders under Hong Kong's national security legislation. We call on Iran to cease its intimidation and harassment of BBC News Persian staff and their families, and end reprisals against all human rights defenders. We are alarmed that armed soldiers in Afghanistan police the gates of UN compounds to prevent women entering. We are concerned by restrictions affecting UNRWA and INGOs operating in Palestine, which undermine the humanitarian response in Gaza. Escalating use of transnational repression, including through digital technologies, is alarming. Urgent, dedicated, and coordinated counteraction is needed to ensure individuals and organizations can cooperate with the UN and its mechanisms without fear of intimidation, reprisals, or self-censorship. Thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ireland on behalf of a group of countries.

Thank you, Vice-President. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the members of the Reprisals Fiji, Ghana, Hungary, Uruguay and my own country, Ireland. We welcome this report and commend the Assistant Secretary-General 's continued work to prevent and address acts of intimidation or reprisal across the UN system, while we deeply regret its necessity. The right of everyone, individually and in association with others, to access, cooperate and communicate freely with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights is essential to all our work. We note with deep concern the findings of the report of continued reprisals, including the use of transnational repression by States. In particular, we recall that despite the high number of cases reported, these are likely to be much less than those occurring. Instances of transnational repression against those engaging with the UN specified in the report cannot be considered a full and complete picture, given the chilling effect of reprisals. We all collectively must take practical steps to protect and facilitate civil society access and participation. Engagement of civil society makes the work of the United Nations possible and meaningful across all pillars. If they cannot trust that they can cooperate safely with the United Nations, we all lose. We urge all Member States to prevent and address these acts of intimidation and reprisal.

Thank you.

Thank you. I call on the distinguished representative of Belgium on behalf of a group of countries.

Mr Vice-President, I deliver this statement on behalf of the Benelux Every act of reprisal sends a chilling message far beyond its immediate victim. It seeks to deter others from speaking out, documenting abuses, and engaging with the UN. Being a member of this Council carries the responsibility to uphold high human rights standards. Therefore, we wish to highlight the following cases. Human rights defender Chow Hang-tung from Hong Kong, arbitrarily detained and recently sentenced alongside other members of the Hong Kong Alliance for peacefully advocating democratic rights. We call for her immediate release. Human rights defender Roberto Perez Fonseca from Cuba, facing reprisals after the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found his detention arbitrary. We call for his immediate release. Journalist Pham Duong Chang from Vietnam, arbitrarily detained for, amongst others, sharing information with the UN on the country's human rights situation. We call for her immediate release. Human rights defender Alexei Gorovnov from Russia, subjected to punitive measures, despite the fact that the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found his detention arbitrary. He has furthermore suffered denial of medical treatment, despite his fragile health. We call for his immediate release. This ASG's report and this statement capture only part of a wider reality. We remember those absent from its pages, whose voices have been silenced by repressive regimes. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the European Union.

Many thanks, Mr. Vice President.

The EU thanks the Assistant Secretary for Human Rights for her presentation and congratulates her on the new role. Madam Assistant Secretary General, your report once again puts on record a disturbingly high number of reported acts of intimidation, harassment, and reprisals against individuals and groups who cooperate or seek to cooperate with the UN. perpetrated across the globe by both states and non-state actors. Human rights defenders and civil society play a vital role in informing and shaping UN decisions, enhancing accountability, and promoting inclusive dialogue, all essential for the UN's effectiveness. The EU strongly condemns any form of reprisals against HRDs and CSOs, including those who cooperate with the UN in any form. While states' human rights obligations transcend national borders, few states are held accountable for committing trans-border human rights violations. This is increasingly enabled by the misuse of digital technologies. Yet it is a duty of all states to provide for the victims the necessary protection from acts that also constitute grave attacks against the essence and proper functioning of the UN system. While we welcome the good practices at national and international levels indicated in the report, we

deeply regret states' instrumentalization and misuse of their legislation, including the unsubstantiated designations of peoples and organizations as terrorists,

aimed to deter or hinder cooperation with the UN. The UN reiterates concern about reprisals targeting women, as well as the specific risk for young people and indigenous peoples. Madam Assistant Secretary, could you please elaborate on what states can do to better detect and protect victims of active

I thank you, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Thank you, Vice-President. We are making this statement on behalf of the Group of Friends of the UN Charter. The Group would like to underscore the importance of cooperation within the UN on the basis of genuine dialogue and constructive cooperation. This cooperation should be geared towards strengthening the capacity of States who need it, giving them the necessary tools for ensuring the protection, promotion and enjoyment of the human rights of their peoples, including the right to development. Similarly, it should contribute to channeling efforts aimed at achieving the 2030 agenda through a human-centered approach, in particular for the most vulnerable peoples. The UN mechanisms, in accordance with its mandate for the protection and promotion of human rights, should seek to ensure that information received can be verified and is genuine in order to avoid any misleading or fraudulent use of protection mechanisms, and this is particularly true when they are used for political purposes. We urge the Secretary-General to maintain a constructive approach and to cooperate with States. The Group of Friends urges the UN system to consider in all of its reports actions that run counter to the UN Charter and to international law and which have a negative impact on the human rights of entire populations. I thank you.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kenya on behalf of the Group of African States.

Mr. President, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the African Group, which thanks the Secretary-General for his report. We welcome the promotion of good practices within the United Nations to prevent intimidation and reprisals. The African Group reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the protection of human rights. We recognize the importance of constructive cooperation between States and civil society within the United Nations mechanism. However, we emphasize that the fight against reprisals must strictly respect the principles of national sovereignty, non-politicization, and genuine dialogue. The handling of allegations must be based on verified, objective information that is free from any political instrumentalization. We encourage the strengthening of the capacities of national structures to prevent these acts at the source. At the same time, effective prevention requires increased attention to socioeconomic development. We call on international partners to focus on technical assistance rather than punitive and moralistic approaches. To conclude, the African Group reiterates its willingness to cooperate fully while calling for the implementation of this mandate in a manner that is fair, transparent, respectful to the realities of each member state.

I thank you.

Thank you. I now call on the distinguished representative of Liechtenstein.

Mr. Vice President, we thank the Secretary General for his report and express our concern about the cases mentioned in it, in particular the increasing number of transnational repression cases. Liechtenstein reiterates its strong condemnation of any threats, attacks, reprisals, both online and offline, against individuals and groups because they cooperate with the United Nations and its mechanisms. Such reprisals are not only an infringement of several human rights, have a direct negative impact on the functioning of the UN system and its mechanisms. We are concerned about the increased use of repressive acts by the Russian Federation under the foreign agents and other laws, including the designation of human rights lawyer, Violetta Fitzner, as a foreign agent solely for her human rights work and engagement with UN human rights mechanisms. In a similar vein, we deplore Belarus's designation of the Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers or the social media accounts of Human Rights House Foundation as extremist. Moreover, we are worried about overly broad national security legislations, including in Hong Kong. under which, in the reporting period, relatives of pro-democracy activists Anna Kwok and Carmen Lau were charged and, in the case of her father, convicted. Reprisals against family members are not acceptable. Jimmy Lai's sentencing under such overly broad laws to 20 years in prison is a prime case in point, and we echo the High Commissioner's call for his immediate release. I thank you, Mr. Vice President.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Iraq.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. We have examined the report of the Secretary-General on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives, and its mechanisms in the field of human rights. We appreciate the efforts made in preparing the report. We note with great interest the content of the report regarding the greater pressures on civil space, and we reaffirm that Iraq provides the safe environment for the work of CSOs. In Iraq, there are dozens of NGOs, both local and foreign. They work freely and in cooperation with government actors in a complementary and participatory manner. Mr. Vice President, protecting anyone who cooperates with the UN and its mechanisms is part of the prerogatives of the state. We need to reaffirm the specificities and national legislation in each country. These are important. And in conclusion, as we observe the content of the report regarding the ever-increasing use of media in reprisals, we ask, what are the mechanisms that are used by the Secretariat General to distinguish between actual reprisals and undocumented reprisals, given the ever-increasing use of the said technologies in probably misleading public opinion? Thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the State of Palestine.

Thank you, Mr. Vice-President. The State of Palestine welcomes the Secretary-General's report and reaffirms the right of all persons and organizations to cooperate safely and freely with the United Nations without intimidation or reprisals. We stress the report's documentation of fear, self-censorship and reprisals by Israel, the illegal occupying power, throughout the occupied Palestinian territory. including amid escalating state-sponsored settler terrorism in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, occurring with the widespread impunity. These reprisals are indispensable, inseparable from the broader settler colonial policies of ethnic cleansing, apartheid, forced displacement, and denial of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination. In Gaza, they occur amid an ongoing genocidal war and catastrophic deprivation and severe restrictions on humanitarian assistance, while the ICJ has reaffirmed Israel's obligations regarding relief and the protection of the Palestinian population. We condemn the assault on UNRWA, Palestinian civil society, UN mandate holders, and international accountability mechanisms, including the ICC, as well as sanctions, designations, and coercive measures aimed at intimidating those documenting violations and pursuing accountability. Mr. Vice President, at the same time, Palestine takes serious note of the allegations concerning detainees in the Palestinian custody who reported reprisals after cooperating with

the Office of the High Commissioner.

These allegations are subject to national follow-up, oversight, and accountability. Thank you.

Muchas gracias. Thank you. I now call on the distinguished representative

of the Russian Federation.

Thank you, Vice-President. I'd like to greet you on behalf of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation, Yana Landratova. I am forced to speak using the nameplate of the Russian Federation and not the National Human Rights Institution, which is a clear demonstration of the problems in the system for recognizing NHRIs. The Russian institution was deprived of its A-status accreditation. The reasons for this decision are not transparent and raise serious questions. Russia is consistently developing its own national model for human rights protection based on the Constitution, the norms of international law, our historical experience, and the moral and spiritual values of the people of Russia. At the heart of this model is the human person, his or her dignity, rights, and freedoms. We consider civil and political rights to be in unison with social, economic, and cultural ones. We cannot defend human dignity in a selective or arbitrary way. International human rights agenda is frequently used as an instrument for promoting double standards. This approach undermines trust in international mechanisms and hampers equal dialogue. Our institution's main vocation is restoring the rights of individuals when they have been violated. A key partner here remains civil society, on the basis of solidarity and accountability. The Commission is ready to further cooperate with the UN and foreign colleagues on the basis of mutual respect and equal partnership, and we advocate jointly seeking solutions in the interests of people without Thank you.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Hungary.

Mr. Vice President, Hungary thanks Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights, Madam Claudia Fuentes Julio, for her report and congratulates her in her new role.

The report makes clear that acts of

intimidation and reprisals continue to undermine the ability of individuals and civil society to cooperate freely with the UN. We are particularly concerned that even where cases are identified and documented, those affected may continue to face serious consequences without effective avenues for redress. Prevention, early response, and accountability are equally important to ensure that cooperation with the UN remains safe and meaningful. We particularly underline the importance of ensuring that victims and those at risk have accessible and secure channels through which concerns can be raised, including where reprisals may take place across borders or through digital means. At the same time, effective prevention requires close cooperation between states, OSCHR and relevant UN mechanisms, while ensuring the confidentiality and security of those who engage with them. Hungary believes that sharing good practices can make an important contribution in this regard. We therefore encourage continued efforts to identify practical measures that can be implemented at the national and international levels to prevent intimidation and reprisals before they have a lasting chilling effect on cooperation with the UN. Secretary General, could you elaborate on which preventive measures and good practices have proven most effective, enabling states and the UN to identify risks or reprisals at an early stage, particularly in cases involving border or digital intimidation?

Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of China.

Mr. President, China expresses its strong dissatisfaction with and firmly opposes the report's disregard for authoritative information provided by member states, its defamation and smear of China based on false information regarding specific judicial cases, and its interference in China's judicial affairs. Li Zhiying, Zhou Xing, and others have long been using the banner of democracy and freedom in an attempt to undermine the fundamental system of the state, its legislative and judicial constitution, and undermine national security. They should be punished according to the law. The relevant trials public and transparent the proceedings beyond approach. The attempts by countries such as Australia, Netherlands, Belgium, Lithuania to use this to exert pressure on the judiciary of the Hong Kong special administration is a serious violation of the rule of law. China is the country of the rule of law. Any attempt to Any acts will be punished. We oppose abusing the EU mechanism to shield lawbreakers and criminals. We urge EU and human rights mechanisms to engage in dialogue and cooperation with countries in a constructive spirit.

Thank you.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Denmark.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Denmark welcomes the report. We are very concerned that the report lays out a high number of reported acts of intimidation and reprisals against those who have cooperated with the UN. We wish to draw your attention to the situation of Mr. Abdul Hadi Al-Khawaja, who is serving a life sentence in Bahrain. It is now the eighth time since 2011 that the Secretary General's report mentions Mr. Al-Khawaja. It includes allegations of arbitrary arrest, his lengthy sentence, and the circumstances surrounding the conditions during his imprisonment. These persistent conditions continue to concern us. In addition to the report, we note with concern the concluding observations made by the Committee against Torture on the detention conditions of Mr. Al-Khawaja, adopted in response to the recent periodic report of Bahrain to the Committee. While welcoming the release of prisoners in Bahrain during the past years, we once again call for the release of Mr. Al-Khawaja. a dual citizen of Bahrain and Denmark, without further delay. We further call on Bahrain and all other States to release all human rights defenders imprisoned for exercising their fundamental freedoms, and for States to refrain from any act of intimidation or reprisal.

I thank you.

Thank you very much. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mongolia. They are not in the room. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Nepal.

Thank you, Mr. Vice-President. Nepal thanks, Madam Assistant Secretary-General, for the report on cooperation with the United Nations' representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights. Nepal notes the reports of intimidation and reprisals against individuals and organizations cooperating with the United Nations. Equally concerning is the growing cases of harassment and intimidation. We believe the individuals and organizations should be able to engage with United Nations human rights mechanisms without fear of reprisals. This is essential for an effective human rights system. Nepal's constitution guarantees all human rights fundamental freedoms. We are committed to advancing human rights through national reports and international cooperation. We believe that the constructive dialogue, technical assistance and capacity building supports, while fully respecting national context and priorities, create the enabling environment for advancing human rights. Nepal assures of its full cooperation to the United Nations for enhancing effectiveness of the human rights mechanism. Thank you.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba.

Vice President, acts of intimidation against the organizations or persons that cooperate in a legitimate way with the United Nations in the field of human rights are inadmissible and should be firmly condemned by all states. We have documented multiple acts of harassment, intimidation and reprisals against those who, in the United States, dare to speak out against the criminal and illegal unilateral coercive measures imposed against Cuba and who shine a light on these policies within the United Nations system. Those who take part in demonstrations against the embargo are the target of harassment and smear campaigns, amongst other things, and U.S. authorities are seeking to create a climate of self-censorship and fear. We denounce the harassment and unilateral coercive measures imposed against the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation the occupied Palestinian territories in reprisal for having defended the victims of the genocide in Gaza. Other mandate holders of the Council also suffer from pressure from Washington, including blackmail with visas preventing them to travel to the UN headquarters in New York. These are not isolated actions. They form part of a pattern of action by the US government against the United Nations. We reiterate that reports on reprisals should be objective, not politicized, and drawn up on the basis of credible and verifiable sources. I thank you.

Thank you very much. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cameroon.

Cameroon aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Africa Group, and the full statement is available on the Extranet. My delegation would like to underscore the importance of cooperation with the UN so as to support the efforts for human rights protection. Cameroon has a legal framework for prevention and sanction against acts of intimidation, threats or violence against all persons, and they benefit without distinction from equal protection before the law and can use administrative and legal mechanisms. Cameroon would like to provide a clear clarification. The document, the report, alleges reprisals, but it does not here amount to an act that was decided or undertaken by the Cameroon authorities or because of cooperation of the United Nations, the qualification of reprisals would require there to be such a link. The existence of legal procedures is based on facts which relate to offences, and this in and of itself cannot be considered to be an act of reprisal. The report highlights that the procedures should be prosecuted before the relevant jurisdiction. My country stands ready to cooperate with the United Nations and the High Commission and its mechanisms. However, we believe that there must be a constructive dialogue with the state's concerns based on the duly verified information and objective assessment of the facts and respect for national procedures so as that the mechanism fighting against reprisals is credible. Thank you.

Thank you.

I'd like to recognize the distinguished representative of Sri Lanka.

Mr. Vice-President, Sri Lanka takes note of the Secretary-General's report and emphasizes that the country remains committed to ensuring that complaints received on alleged attacks against human rights defenders and civil society are duly investigated. All parties alleged to have experienced harassment can submit their complaints to well-established national mechanisms that have the competence and jurisdiction to receive and investigate such complaints. These include law enforcement authorities as well as independent institutions such as the Human Rights Commission and the National Police Commission. In addition, individuals can file fundamental rights applications as these fall under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. This provides an additional important legal avenue for those seeking redress for violations related to human rights. victims, a victim and victim protection has been further strengthened through the assistance to and protection of victims of crime and witnesses act and the establishment of a victim protection division of Sri Lanka police. All police stations have been instructed to comply with the guidelines of the human rights commission on the protection of human rights defenders reflecting a continued commitment to upholding human rights, standards and providing institutional safeguards against reprisals. While we remain firmly committed to protecting and promoting civil society space, it is important that allegations of intimidation or harassment be assessed objectively and, if substantiated, addressed through appropriate legal and institutional mechanisms. In conclusion, Sri Lanka reiterates its commitment to protecting and promoting freedom of expression and civil society space. Thank you.

Thank you very much. I would like to give the floor now to the Distinguished Representative of Sierra Leone.

Mr. Vice President, Sierra Leone aligns with the statement of the African Group and welcomes the Secretary-General's report on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and human rights mechanisms. Sierra Leone thanks the Office of the High Commissioner for its continued efforts to document and address acts of intimidation and reprisals. Sierra Leone reiterates that all individuals, groups and civil society actors must be able to engage freely and safely with the United Nations human rights mechanism reprisals such as threats harassment arbitrary detention surveillance travel restrictions and other forms of intimidation undermine the Integrity of this Council and weaken human rights protection we are concerned by the ongoing report of prizes in their the detrimental impact on human rights defenders, journalists, victims, lawyers, and community representatives who cooperate with the United Nations mechanisms. States bear primary responsibility for preventing such acts, promptly and impartially investigating allegations, providing effective remedies, and ensuring accountability. We encourage the strengthening of national protection frameworks and meaningful consultations with civil society. There must be a closer cooperation between States, United Nations entities and regional mechanisms to prevent intimidations before it occurs. We reaffirm our support to the mandates established by Council resolution 12/2, and we call upon all States to uphold everyone's right to communicate with the United Nations without fear. I thank you, Mr. Vice-President.

Thank you very much. Now I would like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Chad.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. The delegation of Chad would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report on cooperation with the United Nations Organization, its representatives, and its mechanisms in the area of human rights. Chad reaffirms its commitment to constructive cooperation with the United Nations and remain engaged in dialogue with the human rights mechanisms. In this context, we attach particular importance to dialogue, to exchange of information, and technical assistance, which help support national efforts to promote and protect human rights. Our country, which faces security, humanitarian, and socioeconomic challenges, believes that international cooperation must privilege capacity building, and the pursuit of solutions that are tailored to national realities and contexts. Chad also underscores the importance of preserving an environment conducive to free constructive cooperation with the UN and its mechanisms, in accordance with the principles of transparency, good faith, and mutual respect. We reaffirm our readiness to continue this cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner and the mechanisms of the Council in a constructive spirit and in accordance with Chad's international commitments. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Now I'd like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Belarus.

Vice President, We would like to express concern about clear problems with the impartiality and veracity of information included in the report regarding certain countries. The report continues to focus on developing countries while ignoring serious problems in Western countries, including systematic intimidation of activists and the elimination of inconvenient NGOs that cannot interact with the UN, including because of self-censorship. Alongside this clear political and geographic imbalance, the document's authority is undermined by the fact that the country's or government's position is ignored, which renders communication when preparing this report meaningless. Regarding the cases about Belarus, we'd like to reaffirm that they have nothing to do with reality. Holding specific persons to account for having committed unlawful actions is done in strict compliance with our law, which has equal force for all, regardless of their professional or social activities, and has no link with the intention or possibility for them to interact with the United Nations. We hope that neutrality and impartiality will be maintained when preparing

Thank you.

Thank you very much. Now I would like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Egypt.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. My

country's delegation takes note of the report of the Secretary-General underscoring the importance of UN mechanisms relating to human rights and the mandate to promote and protect them at the international level. must corroborate the information, though, from these mechanisms to ensure that they are aligned with political goals. We reiterate the importance of cooperating with UN mechanisms by submitting to them the necessary information. about allegations of limitations imposed against those participating with or collaborating with United Nations. We provided the necessary information to mechanisms and special procedures in virtue of the allegations presented to us. We underscore that the rule of law is the fundamental guarantee to ensure justice and preserve social stability. Collaboration with the United Nations does not lead to immunity. Any action against a state collaborating with the United Nations is to be fully rejected outright. Representative of Cambodia is recognized.

Mr. Wai, President, Cambodia thanks the Secretary-General for the report and reaffirms its commitments to constructive engagement with United Nations human rights mechanisms. We believe dialogue, mutual respect and information sharing are essential to strengthening the credibility of the international human rights system. Cambodia takes note of the concerns raised in the report regarding intimidations and reprisals against individuals and groups cooperating with the United Nations. We consider that allegations should be addressed through objective, transparent, and constructive engagement. Cambodia will use its continued cooperation with OHCHR, including through dialogue and technical cooperations, as well as cooperation with the Special Rapporteurs on the situation of human rights in Cambodia. During his recent 12-day visit, the Special Rapporteurs was granted free and unrestricted access to meet with government leaders, opposition representative, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders. Cambodia supports continued United Nations efforts to promote awareness, prevention, and risk mitigations, while encouraging closer cooperation amongst member states, United Nations entities, and civil societies. Lastly, Cambodia remains committed to engaging constructively with the Human Rights Council and relevant United Nations human rights mechanisms in the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect.

I thank you.

Thank you very much. Now I would like to recognize the distinguished representative of Ecuador.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. My delegation would like to thank the presentation of the Secretary-General's report, and we reiterate our commitment to cooperate with the UN system, its representatives, and mechanisms in the area of human rights. In that regard, Ecuador is open and willing to participate in transparent, timely dialogue with the representatives of the universal human rights system, including mandate holders, as well as with civil society organizations and academia working on the promotion and protection of human rights. In this regard, over the course of 2026, the State of Ecuador has supported the planning of the visits of Special Rapporteurs on the right to water and sanitation. the human rights of internally displaced peoples, the right to privacy and private life, and the situation of human rights defenders, as well as that of the representative of the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances, for official visits and for academic activities alike. Additionally, we underscore the ongoing collaboration with the UN system in the process to build a cooperation framework for sustainable development 2027-2030. which addresses goals of public policy in the area of social protection and inclusive services, peacebuilding, human security, governance, and social cohesion. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Now, I would like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of North Macedonia.

Donia welcomes the report of the Secretary-General.

The report rightly underscores the need to strengthen protection for human rights defenders and safeguard meaningful civil society participation in the UN human rights system.

We note with concern the report's clear warning about the growing risk.

Faced by those who will cooperate with the United Nations. Enabled by digital technologies, transnational reprisals and intimidation are increasing. Fear and self-censorship are growing. creating conditions in which many reprisals remain unreported. All of this is shrinking civic space. Restrictive laws, administrative barriers, and the criminalization of legitimate human rights work further discourage cooperation with the United Nations.

UN premises must remain safe spaces for civil society representatives.

Participation in international processes must never expose human rights defenders to surveillance, intimidation, or detention. We therefore need to move from a reactive to a preventive approach, identifying risks before engagement and ensuring effective mitigation and protection measures.

North Macedonia calls for unhindered access to UN mechanisms, fair and transparent accreditation.

Procedures, stronger safeguards against digital and transnational repression, and a victim-centred approach to addressing, documenting, and preventing reprisals. States and the United Nations must ensure that everyone can engage freely, safely, and without fear of retaliation. Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. Now I would like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Uruguay.

Thank you very much, Mr. Vice President. It is a pleasure to listen to the Deputy Secretary-General. Uruguay appreciates the presentation of the report and recognizes the efforts that have been made by the United Nations and states to prevent and address acts of intimidation and reprisals against those who cooperate with its human rights mechanisms. At the same time, we note with concern the persistent obstacles to cooperation with the United Nations, transnational reprisals, and the growing use of digital technologies for surveillance, harassment, and intimidation. Uruguay believes that it is essential to strengthen prevention and protection measures through a coordinated response involving states, the UN, and civil society in order to ensure free and safe cooperation to protect affected peoples and to ensure accountability. Against this backdrop and in this context, we would like to ask: Which good practices identified in the report do you consider should be prioritized for broader implementation across the UN system in order to strengthen the prevention of reprisals and ensure that all individuals can cooperate with these mechanisms freely, safely, and effectively? Thank you.

Thank you very much. Now I would like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bangladesh.

Mr. Vice President, Bangladesh takes note of the Secretary-General's report. We value constructive cooperation with the United Nations, its representative, and mechanism in the field of human rights. Bangladesh condemns all acts of intimidation and reprisal against those who seek to cooperate or have cooperated with UN human rights mechanism. Mr. Vice President, we are concerned by the report's accounts of threats harassment and reprisal, particularly the reported climate of fear in the occupied Palestinian territory, which prevented individuals from engaging with the United Nations. Allegations of reprisal should be addressed through a constructive and transparent process. Information must be verified and assessed, and the views of the States concerned should be given due consideration. At the same time, credible allegations require proper investigation, appropriate protection for those at risk, and accountability where violations are established. Mr. Vice-President, we encourage continued dialogue between the United Nations and Member States to address cases and strengthen protective measures. This will help ensure that those who engage with the UN can be heard without fear of further harm. Bangladesh reaffirms its commitment to protecting and promoting human rights through continued cooperation with the UN human rights bodies and mechanisms, as well as engagement with the civil society organizations. I thank you, Mr. Vice President.

Thank you very much. I would like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of India.

Mr. Vice-President, India thanks the Assistant Secretary-General for presenting the report and takes note of its conclusions. Any act of intimidation or reprisal against persons cooperating with the United Nations is unacceptable. India is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all persons engaged in promoting and protection of human rights. The report carries forward certain references from previous iterations. We regret that the account does not adequately examine the statutory basis of the decisions or the remedies available under Indian law. Furthermore, repeated inputs provided by India in the past do not seem to have been considered. We would like to reiterate that the regulation of foreign contribution seeks to ensure transparency and accountability, as is the practice in democratic nations across the world, in their effort to guard against the risk of opaque or illegal transfer of such funds. The principles of transparency and accountability cannot be applied selectively. Cooperation with international mechanisms cannot place an individual or organization outside the laws of land. Reports of this nature should give due consideration to information provided by states. A balanced, two-way dialogue is essential to the fairness and credibility of the process. India remains committed to the constructive engagement with the United Nations and its human rights mechanisms. I thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. I'd like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Germany.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Germany aligns itself with the EU statement and welcomes the report of the Secretary-General. Human rights defenders are more and more under pressure. In countries such as Russia, China or Iran, repression has become almost total. In addition, countries increasingly repress defenders beyond their borders. Even here in Geneva, defenders are surveilled and intimidated for speaking out against human rights violations. Germany condemns any form of repression against human rights defenders in the strongest terms, including transnational repression and reprisals for their cooperation with the United Nations. Without civil society participation, the UN cannot function effectively. Germany expresses its utmost concern about the many cases of persecution of human rights defenders documented in the report and beyond. This includes Daria Yeregyeva and Natalia Leongard, prominent voices for indigenous rights, arbitrarily detained and criminally persecuted by Russia, or Chow Hang Tung, a highly respected lawyer sentenced to prison for her work for democracy in Hong Kong. Madam Assistant Secretary, from your experience, what are the best practices for the international community to contribute to protection and accountability for individual human rights defenders suffering from reprisals?

Thank you.

Thank you. I would like to give the floor now to the distinguished representative of Armenia.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Armenia reaffirms its conviction that everyone individually and in association with others must be able to speak to the UN safely. Civil society actors, human rights defenders, and all individuals must be empowered to cooperate freely and safely with human rights mechanisms without fear of intimidation or reprisals. We note with concern that persistent patterns of reprisals, surveillance, and restrictive measures erode collective accountability and compromise the integrity of the international system. Equally alarming is the growing misuse of digital technologies. Online and offline surveillance, coordinated disinformation campaigns, and targeting of those who cooperate or attempt to cooperate with international bodies fundamentally undermine our collective system. if international cooperation begins with a resilient and open civic space at home. In Armenia, civil society is seen not as an adversary, but as a key partner for democracy and good governance. We promote NGOs' financial independence by law and ongoing institutional dialogue through public councils, building mutual trust and ensuring that civic voices are protected as co-creators of policy, not as targets of pressure. Armenia believes that advancing good practices across the UN system requires joint concerted action from member states, the UN, and civil society to ensure that all who engage with international mechanisms can do so freely, securely, and without fear. I thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. Excellencies, dear colleagues, this is the last speaker that we had time for, for this dialogue this afternoon, a dialogue that will resume tomorrow morning. I would like to take this opportunity to remind that civil society and the national human rights institutions' active participation is essential to the Council's work. Just as important is guaranteeing that the experts and mechanisms that the Council has entrusted with a mandate can carry out their duties independently without fear for reprisals or intimidation. As Vice President, I remain strongly convinced to ensure that any such allegation is duly followed up on, and I would like to encourage everyone to contribute to prevent such acts. Excellencies, dear participants, before continuing, I would like to state that the sponsors of the draft resolution on human rights and transitional justice have requested a postponement for the presentation up to December 25th, 1300 hours. The respective explanations have been provided. September 25th. We will then postpone the presentation of this draft resolution up until Friday, September 25th at 1300 hours. I see no objection. I see everyone is supporting it. It is so decided. Excellencies, dear participants, it is my understanding that some delegations have requested for the right of reply. I would kindly ask you to bear in mind the time constraints and that the segments on right of reply on the interactive dialogue and the report of the Secretary General on cooperation with the United Nations can only be held tomorrow at the end of the general debate on item 5 of the agenda we will now move on to the right of reply regarding statements made on debates that concluded today and I would like to offer the floor to the distinguished representative of Mali you have three minutes.

Then.

The next request, the distinguished delegation of Burkina Faso is recognized. Mr. Vice President, my delegation would like to exercise its right of reply following the statement made by a non-governmental organization. We would like to state They state that Burkina Faso does not recognize in the legal order the concept of indigenous peoples. And so we do not see any truth in the statements made by that speaker. The constitution in Burkina Faso guarantees the same rights to all and formally prohibits in Article 1 discrimination of all sorts, particularly those based on race, ethnicity, religion, the color of skin, sex, language, religion, caste, political views, wealth, or birth. The right to health of women and girls and access to health care without discrimination and other measures are taken through free policies or cost reduction policies in order to guarantee that these rights are as broadly available to our citizens as possible. We would like to ask all stakeholders to act responsibly and to favor official sources of information instead of allegations coming from dubious sources with unknown reasons. Thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. I would like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Indonesia wish to respond to the allegations and/or intervention from the floor regarding Indonesia. Indonesia condemns all forms of sexual violence against women and equally condemns the perpetrator without exceptions. The representative referenced a single case, which we condemn without reservations. But we wonder where that same attention was when nine Papuan women were abducted by an armed separatist group last month. Seven remain in captivity today, and one of their mothers was shot dead while trying to save her daughter. We also urge honesty and accuracy when citing the Komnas HAM or our NHRI report. Yes, it recorded 59 civilians' deaths, but it also found that the majority of this violence was carried out by the separatist armed group itself. This report, announced in July 2026, does not even include what followed: the killing of a logistic driver last week, the death of three civil servants whose passing was mocked to their grieving families, and the killing of a foreign pilot. We regret that this representative has once again selectively presented information to serve a particular narrative. Mr. Vice President, violence by this separatist group pose a real challenge to our efforts, particularly as it continues to target civilian health infrastructures, including the burning of a primary health facility last year and the killing of two medical personnel this March. Nevertheless, Indonesia remains relentless in ensuring health care access across Papua provinces. Our National Health Insurance Program has achieved near universal registration across six provinces. We continue strengthening reproductive health services under our national framework, where the national population and family planning could distribute over 8,000 contraceptive device as it did in West Papua province last November. The government is also advancing access to advanced level care through Jayapura Central Hospital, a vertical hospital built to international standards, in addition to existing local hospital in each cities and mobile health services in remote area. Rest assured of Indonesia's continuous effort of this regard. Mr. Vice President, Indonesia has well established national mechanisms, including the Ministry of Human Rights, accredited NHRI and a national commissions for women or Comnas Perempuan. Indonesia is under no obligation to report to or to extend a mandate to any international mechanism on these matters. We reiterate that all stakeholders participating in the Council must abide to the principle enshrined in the UN Charter.

I thank you, Mr. Vice President.

Thank you very much. I would like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Japan.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. My delegation would like to exercise the right of reply in response to the statement made earlier by some NGO. Japan is committed to promoting and protecting the human rights of all individuals, including the Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan. First and foremost, there is no doubt that Okinawa is a part of the territory of Japan. Regarding people from Okinawa, Okinawa Prefecture has its own unique and rich culture and tradition, just like other region in Japan. The government of Japan, however, is not of the view that people born in Okinawa are indigenous people or are part of an indigenous ethnic group, nor is such a view widely recognized in Japan. In fact, the voices of protest have been raised in several municipal assembly Okinawa, stating that it is incorrect to recognize people born in Okinawa as indigenous people or as belonging to an indigenous ethnic group. Japanese people living in or born in Okinawa prefecture are Japanese on an equal basis with all other citizens, and their rights as Japanese nationals are guaranteed fully and without distinction. Regarding the Ainu people, Japan is promoting comprehensive and effective policy for the Ainu people with the aim of realizing a society where the Ainu people can live with pride as an ethnic group and where their pride is respected. To be specific, the Act Promoting Measures to Achieve a Society in Which the Pride of Ainu People is Respected was enacted in April 2019, and came into effect in May 2019. The act recognized the Ainu people as the indigenous people and aimed at advancing a wide range of major comprehensively, including regional, industrial, or tourism promotion, in addition to the previous welfare measure and cultural promotion. Specifically, taking into account of the need of Ainu people, the act incorporate new subsidy as a supporting measure for a project implemented by municipalities. It also implement the major concerning the harvesting of forest products from state-owned forests and salmon in freshwater surface in order to protect and promote their traditional culture. Japan will continue working toward a society in which all citizens coexist while mutually respecting each other's personality and individuality. I thank you, Mr. Vice President.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. This was the last speaker on my list. Does any other delegation wish to exercise the right of reply on any of the debates that we concluded today? There seem to be none. Dear participants, excellencies, this brings us to the end of our public meeting. We will reconvene tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. to continue the interactive dialogue on the Secretary-General's report on cooperation with the United Nations, followed by the interactive dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the interactive dialogue with the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. I hereby close the 24th meeting of the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council. Thank you, one and all.