SR_Barume

UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Rights. 25+ years advocating for justice.Championing Indigenous Peoples' rights globally. #IndigenousRights

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

Ecuador must ensure a safe and enabling environment for Indigenous Peoples and human rights defenders

As UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, along with fellow experts, I express grave alarm over the targeting of Indigenous leaders and human rights defenders in Ecuador.

We are particularly concerned about the use of legal proceedings against Indigenous leaders, as well as reported acts of intimidation and violence.

Read the full statement here: https://t.co/aDMxWOYP83

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

Historic affirmation of Indigenous land rights in Brazil
Yesterday’s decision by Brazil’s Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional protection of Indigenous Peoples’ land rights is a powerful and long-overdue affirmation of justice and dignity.
The Court’s majority ruling underscores that no legislative body may diminish the fundamental rights of Indigenous Peoples enshrined in Brazil’s Constitution.

https://t.co/a6YP5DHjzq
#IndigenousRights #IndigenousPeoples #ClimateJustice #Justice

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

Call for updating the CERD General Recommendation XXIII of 1997 on Indigenous Peoples
At the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples called upon the Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) to update its General Recommendation XXIII adopted in 1997 on Indigenous Peoples, with the view to reflecting on the increased risks of racial discrimination faced by Indigenous Peoples in today’s global context, which is marked by heightened demand for their lands and territories and setbacks in human rights advancements.
#IndigenousPeoples #Humanrights #UN #SayNoRacism

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

The SRIP welcomes an additional key milestone in the protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples: United Nations General Assembly proclaims 5 September of each year as The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Women and Girls. https://t.co/GwNqJWvmfU @UN4Indigenous #WeAreIndigenous

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

Teaching at the 15th edition of the Advanced human rights Course on Indigenous Peoples’ rights by the Center for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria, in South Africa.
Building capacity of Indigenous leaders, government representatives and researchers to work for the realisation of Indigenous Peoples’ rights in the Africa region. #IndigenousPeoples #humanrights #IndigenousPeoplesRights
Photo credit @IWGIA

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

At #COP30 , my central message was clear: Indigenous Peoples can continue making vital contributions to addressing the climate crisis only if their right to self-determination is fully ensured.
True self-determination requires three essential elements:
1) Strong, effective governance institutions that can operate freely and without fear in the face of increasing criminalisation.
2) Recognition, protection, and respect for Indigenous territories, including through the safeguard of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), especially as global demand intensifies for land, resources, and transition minerals.
3) Direct access to financial resources, as guaranteed under Article 4 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples—an indispensable enabler of the right to self-determination affirmed in Article 3.
Empowering Indigenous Peoples is not only a matter of rights—it is a prerequisite for effective, lasting climate action. #IndigenousPeoples #IndigenousPeoplesRights

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

UN experts condemn deadly attack on Guarani and Kaiowa Indigenous Peoples in Brazil.
Read more from the report👇https://t.co/8FztHYGlBr

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

The UNSRIP calling on the Congo Basin countries and donors through CAFI (UK, Norway, and others) to ensure demarcation of Indigenous Peoples’ lands in the Congo Basin.

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

The message from #COP30 is clear:The contributions and solutions from self-determined Indigenous Peoples constitute a critical and indispensable response to the climate crisis.

Self-determination is an overarching right that rests on several pillars: strong representative institutions as the basis for self-government; territories as the physical and spiritual space for past and future generations, and; access to financial resources and technical support to sustain their self-government.

In the case of Indigenous Peoples, access to funding is not just charity. It is a right, explicitly recognised in articles 4 and 39 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and intrinsically linked to the right to self-determination. Funding is the enabler for self-determined Indigenous societies, and a necessity for their self-determined contributions and solutions to the climate crisis.

These are the points, I keep repeating at #COP30, where the discussion about climate finance is high on the agenda, while Indigenous Peoples remain chronically underfunded.
#IndigenousPeoples #WeAreIndigenous #HumanRights

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

Yesterday’s highlight at #COP30 was to learn from Indigenous women how they defend their land and communities, often at high costs. At the Global Summit of Indigenous Women and Youth, I was truly inspired by the words of Aluki Kortiek, chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, when she said:

”It is the love for our communities that motivates us to stand up and act. As Indigenous women, we must learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Often, you are the only Indigenous woman in the room, you doubt if you are the right person to do what you do. But each of us enrich the dialogue, whenever we share our stories”.

Thanks to FIMI, ANMIGA, FILAC, IPRI and ONAMIAP for opening the space for Indigenous women’s voices to be heard at COP30 and to Aluki and the hundreds of Indigenous women, who show their leadership here.
#WeAreIndigenous @UNPFII #IndigenousPeoplesRightsInternational

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

Indigenous Peoples from all regions of the world are present at COP30 and asserting their rights at the centre of climate solutions. Yesterday was an opportunity to amplify their voices and mesages:
-Indigenous Peoples protect the world’s remaining biodiversity. Many live on the last pieces of their ancestral territories, after generations of displacement, and now face growing pressures — from conservation projects, transition minerals, renewal energy projects and carbon markets.
-In many countries, Indigenous Peoples live in a vacuum of rights, facing criminalisation, displacement, and violence against defenders. These are not isolated incidents but symptoms of development without rights.
-Legal recognition of Indigenous Peoples by States is the foundation for genuine partnership and prevention of conflict. Without recognition, we are reproducing past injustices— in the name of a “green” future.
-Indigenous Peoples’ rights are based on strong principles of self-determination and non-discrimination as a response to centuries of dispossession and cultural erasure.
-That makes Indigenous Peoples’ rights distinct from the rights of other groups, such as local communities. Indigenous Peoples’ rights must be respected as specified in the UNDRIP, with full understanding of their legal foundations and implications.
#COP30 #IndigenousPeoples #HumanRights

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

In the aftermath of my recent country visit to Botswana, President Boko announces in his 2025 State of the Nation Address a series of reforms to address the particular human rights situation of Indigenous Peoples in Botswana.

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

Kicking off my participation at #COP30, meeting with friends, colleagues and representatives of Indigenous Peoples from all corners of the world.
In a session today on strengthening coordination across the Rio Conventions, I highlighted the importance of aligning the implementation of these Conventions, including UNFCCC, with States’ obligations to respect and protect Indigenous Peoples’ rights under international human rights law. #HumanRights

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

Attending COP30 with one objective: Reinforcing Indigenous Peoples’ call for climate change legislation, policies, programmes and actions grounded in international standards on human rights.

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

Thrilled to share my presentation from the UN General Assembly's Third Committee meeting! We covered vital discussions on Human Rights, Indigenous Peoples, and more.

You can watch my full segment on UN Web TV:
https://t.co/ZuswOxzyho
#UNGA #ThirdCommittee #HumanRights #IndigenousPeoples #GlobalGoals

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

A Call for a Paradigm Shift: Indigenous Peoples as partners in international security
I am honored to present my interim report, "Identification, demarcation, registration and titling of Indigenous Peoples’ lands: practices and lessons," to the UN General Assembly. The full report will be presented next year, following regional consultations.
The report highlights that Indigenous Peoples' rights to land are inherent, permanent, and foundational to their very existence and enjoyment of other human rights. Yet, their defenders face criminalization at a global scale.
We cannot resolve global challenges or security threats without Indigenous Peoples. States must move away from viewing Indigenous communities as security threats and instead engage them as key allies and partners. Their knowledge and territorial stewardship are vital for peace and security.
Read the full report for more insights.
In English: https://t.co/jJwevPX7EW
French: https://t.co/OVA7spyVyq
Spanish: https://t.co/mXQSxXnZ1E
hashtag #IndigenousPeoples hashtag #InternationalSecurity hashtag #UNGA80 hashtag #HumanRightsLaw hashtag #LandRights
📷unsr.albertbarume.orgTierras, territorios y recursos de los pueblos indígenas. Informe provisional a la Asamblea General

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

📢 Invitation to a webinar on Indigenous Peoples’ rights in Botswana
In my capacity as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, I will present my End-of-Mission Statement following my official country visit to Botswana in September 2025.
I will share my preliminary observations and recommendations from the visit and engage in dialogue on key issues concerning the promotion and protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Botswana.
📅 Date: 7th October 2025
🕒 Time: 4 pm (Central African Time)
👉 Please register here:https://t.co/KywyzujbGN
— Dr. Albert K. Barume
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

Who are Indigenous Peoples? Not simply minorities or “local communities.”
Indigenous Peoples are those who endured historic injustices—land dispossession, forced assimilation, and systemic discrimination—that continue to impact generations today. Read my report presented to #HRC60 here:📷
https://t.co/PSccaLDWne
Please also watch my Presentation on UNTV, about 1:10 hours into this video:, 📷https://t.co/vbcUpVeRVp
#unsrip #HumanRightsForAllPeople
#IndigenousRights
@UnitedNationsHumanRights
@UnitedNations

[SR_Barume @SRIPBarume]

@UN_SPExperts
Today I concluded my official visit to Botswana. I thank the Government of Botswana for facilitating my mission, and the UN Resident Coordinator and UN country team for their support.
I encourage Botswana to continue on the path of redressing the historical injustices suffered by Indigenous Peoples and restore their dignity by ensuring:
 Constitutional recognition
 Traditional institutions and participation in public affairs
 Land and resource rights
 Education, health and other basic services.
Learn more about the recommendations and the visit to Botswana 👇

English: https://t.co/jwEQ2WFnSp
French: https://t.co/D2XuPIMDYK
Spanish: https://t.co/M00tyeLJEo