The 2024 session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) took place at the United Nations in Geneva from July 8 to July 12, bringing together Indigenous representatives, experts, and advocates from around the world. This year's theme was "Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Sustainable Development." This event serves as a crucial platform for discussing the rights and challenges faced by Indigenous communities globally. Incomindios, an organisation dedicated to supporting Indigenous peoples, played a significant role in this year's session by supporting a team of Indigenous delegates. The delegation was composed mostly of delegates from Colombia and Canada, focusing on Indigenous rights in these regions.
Special thanks to Pascal Elsner, Aline Kunz, Helena Nyberg, Dr. Alicia Kroemer, Dr. Elida Vargas, Natasha Peters, and Julian Hahne as NGO representatives and Incomindios support team.
Delegates Supported by Incomindios
Incomindios was proud to support a diverse team of Indigenous delegates, each of whom brought unique perspectives and expertise to the session:
● Oswaldo Rodriguez Macuna, Je'eruriwa People (Colombia): Legal Representative and Indigenous Leader of the Je'eruriwa Council, seeking UN support to prevent the physical and cultural extermination of Indigenous peoples in Colombia.
● Maria Violet Medina Quiscue, Nasa People (Colombia): Representative of the Indigenous Reserve of Togoima, advocating for the safety and rights of Indigenous human rights defenders in Cauca.
● Crystal Starr Pesim Lewis, Aitchelitz Band, Squamish BC (Canada): Delegate of the Aitchelitz Band, actively representing Indigenous communities at international forums, with significant UN-related advocacy experience.
● Carlos Gualterro, Pijao (Colombia): Supported as a delegate, contributing his expertise and insights into Indigenous rights.
● Kevin Good, Squamish BC (Canada): Representing Indigenous interests with a strong focus on advocacy and community support.
Unfortunately, Marcella Gilbert, Lakota People (USA), and Yvonne Musabyimana, Batwa People (Rwanda), were unable to attend due to private matters. However, their presence and contributions were still felt through the efforts of their peers. Roxanne Ruediger from ONWA kindly stepped in to speak on the inclusion of Indigenous women and youth (CEDAW General Recommendation 39 for Indigenous Women and Youth) at our side event.
Overview of the Week
Saturday, July 6th: Training and Caucus
The week commenced with a comprehensive training session and caucus meeting hosted by DOCIP. This initial gathering provided an opportunity for the delegates to prepare for the upcoming discussions, refine their strategies, and align their objectives. The training was particularly helpful for delegates to get the most out of their UN experience, focusing on crafting, structuring, and addressing the EMRIP committee on the plenary floor with their statements.
Indigenous Caucus Leadership panel hears input from Indigenous delegates ahead of EMRIP sessions.
Sunday, July 7th: Caucus and Welcome Dinner
On Sunday, the delegates participated in another caucus session, followed by the Incomindios delegation welcome dinner. This dinner served as a welcoming event to support the delegates and get to know one another.
From left: Incomindios Delegation welcome dinner, hosted by Pascal. Helena, Elida and Carlos at the Indigenous Caucus Meeting and Maria, Aline, Elida & Carlos on the 1st day of EMRIP.
Monday, July 8th: ONWA Side Event - Focus on CEDAW General Recommendation 39 for Indigenous Women and Youth
The Ontario Native Women's Association hosted a side event on Monday, focusing on CEDAW General Recommendation 39 for Indigenous Women and Youth. Crystal Starr Pesim Lewis shared the panel with Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot (EMRIP Chair) and Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Issues Francisco Cali Tzay, speaking passionately about anti-human trafficking initiatives for Indigenous women and youth. This highlighted collaborative efforts to protect and empower Indigenous women and youth.
Tuesday, July 9th: Incomindios Side Event - Bridging Generations – Indigenous Elders, Women, and Youth Leading Social Transformation and Climate Justice
Incomindios held its side event on Tuesday, moderated by Alicia Kroemer and Aline Kunz, emphasised key themes such as land rights, cultural preservation, environmental concerns, and Indigenous participation in government decision-making. Alicia, representing Incomindios, highlighted the importance of upholding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and promoting Indigenous causes. The event focused on the unique voices of Indigenous leaders and activists from Colombia and Canada, who shared their experiences and strategies in protecting Indigenous rights and environmental justice. Notably, the session aimed to raise awareness about violence and threats faced by Indigenous human rights defenders in Colombia and the need for protections against human trafficking targeting Indigenous women and girls. The importance of Indigenous women in leadership roles and the transmission of knowledge from elders to the next generation were also highlighted. The event featured Incomindios Indigenous delegation: Oswaldo Rodriguez Macuna (Je’eruriwa People, Colombia), Maria Violet Medina Quiscue (Nasa People, Colombia), Crystal Starr Pesim Lewis (Aitchelitz Band, Squamish BC, Canada), and Roxanne Ruediger (Inuit, Nnavut, Canada). Each speaker had about 10 minutes to present, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. The discussions focused on amplifying the voices of Indigenous women and youth, promoting intergenerational knowledge transmission, and integrating Indigenous-led solutions into global climate action efforts. Key discussion questions included addressing the challenges faced by Indigenous women and youth in defending their rights, promoting solidarity, and collaborating with non-Indigenous allies to implement climate justice initiatives that respect Indigenous rights and sovereignty. The event concluded with a call to support and collaborate in advancing Indigenous rights and sustainable development.
Tuesday, July 9th: Meeting with the Office of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights
Defenders
This meeting, held primarily in Spanish in collaboration with Comundo and their delegates, was geared towards the Indigenous delegates from Colombia. The session focused on the plight of the Nasa peoples in Colombia facing genocide from state and corporate entities. The session was dedicated to the safety and advocacy of Indigenous human rights defenders, addressing the risks they face and exploring measures to enhance their protection.
Wednesday, July 10th: ONWA Meeting
The ONWA meeting on Wednesday was marked by productive and supportive conversations detailing the need to bring more Indigenous women and youth to UN events to inform on policies affecting them globally and locally. Incomindios and ONWA both supported each other's commitment to further promote and push for more Indigenous women and youth at the UN and informing international policies affecting them.
ONWA and Incomindios Delegation Meeting
From left: Meeting with Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Issues Francisco Cali Tzay, ONWA and Incomindios Delegation Meeting
Thursday, July 11th: Meeting with the Office of the Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking, Especially Women and Children
This meeting on Thursday addressed the critical issue of human trafficking, focusing on the situation of human trafficking for women and youth in Indigenous communities. The meeting was introduced by Dr. Alicia Kroemer and Aline Kunz, with Crystal Starr Pesim and Kevin Good presenting excellently at length about their need for more stringent anti-human trafficking initiatives in Canada, reinforced by their experience and work in this field of advocacy. The discussion emphasised that the majority of trafficked Indigenous women and children are coming out of the foster care system and stressed the urgent need for the Canadian government to correct this. The session also addressed ongoing and systemic corruption in Canadian police forces plagued with racism towards Indigenous communities, where many young Indigenous women and children go missing without investigation or follow-up from authorities.
Thursday, July 11th: Commundo Film Screening
On Thursday, the Commundo film screening took place focusing on international solidarity and support for Indigenous peoples. This event fostered dialogue on collaborative efforts and shared best practices for advancing Indigenous rights
Statements Given on the Plenary Floor
Throughout the week, each of the delegates - Maria, Crystal, Kevin, Carlos, and Eduardo - delivered powerful statements on the plenary floor, sharing their experiences, challenges, and aspirations. These statements, sometimes delivered more than once, were instrumental in raising awareness and influencing the session's outcomes. It was powerful to hear them speak and advocate for their communities.
From left: Osvaldo, the driving force of the delegation, Maria giving one of her 4 statements and Carlos giving his statement on the plenary floor.
Key Outcomes
The 2024 EMRIP session concluded with the adoption of several important recommendations aimed at advancing the rights of Indigenous peoples. These recommendations addressed critical issues such as:
● Land and Resource Rights Calls for stronger protection of Indigenous land and resource rights, including measures to combat illegal land grabs and ensure fair compensation for affected communities.
● Cultural Preservation Initiatives to support the preservation and revitalization of Indigenous languages, traditions, and cultural practices, recognizing their importance to Indigenous identity and heritage.
● Climate Action Strategies to involve Indigenous communities in climate action, acknowledging their traditional knowledge and practices as vital to sustainable environmental management.
● Development Policies Recommendations for inclusive development policies that respect the rights and aspirations of Indigenous peoples, ensuring their participation in decision-making processes.
● Anti-Human Trafficking Initiatives Focused efforts to address the trafficking of Indigenous women and children in Canada, emphasizing the need for systemic changes in the foster care system and police practices.
● CEDAW General Recommendation 39 A stronger push for the inclusion and implementation of CEDAW General Recommendation 39 to support Indigenous women and girls globally. This recommendation aims to eliminate discrimination against Indigenous women and girls, ensuring their rights are protected and their voices are heard in policy-making processes.
● Incomindios Delegation: We were thrilled that all the delegates were able to give at least one (sometimes multiple) statements on the Plenary floor having their cause heard in the assembly and the secretariat. Each delegate spoke at least one or multiple side events on their causes. We had productive meetings with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, the Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking, and the Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Issues. We were delighted to have excellent coordination and collaboration with ONWA and Comundo with sharing side events and meetings. We are committed as an organisation to continue to support and join our delegates in their need for more international support, the protection and promotion of UNDRIP in their communities, and building positive relationships along the way.
Conclusion
The 2024 EMRIP session in Geneva was a pivotal event in the ongoing effort to promote and protect the rights of Indigenous peoples. Incomindios' support for Indigenous delegates played a crucial role in amplifying their voices and ensuring their issues were brought to the forefront of international discussions. The week was marked by significant dialogue, collaboration, and the formulation of strategies to address the pressing challenges faced by Indigenous communities worldwide.
Thank you to the entire team who supported our delegates. A special thanks to Aline Kunz for her tremendous organisation and coordination with this event, overseen and supported by Pascal Elsner, joined by Alicia Kroemer.
Thank you to Helena Nyberg and the Alliance for support and expertise throughout the entire event. Thank you to Julain Hahne for his photography and social media work. Thank you to Elida Vargas and Natasha Peters for your support.