A/HRC/33/42/Add.1 I. Introduction 1. The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, visited Brazil from 7 to 17 March 2016, at the invitation of the Government. The purpose of the visit was to identify and assess the main issues currently facing indigenous peoples in the country and to follow up on key recommendations made in 2009 by the previous mandate holder, following his visit to Brazil. 2. The Special Rapporteur’s visit was prompted by requests on the part of indigenous peoples in Brazil and communications sent by the Special Rapporteur to the Government between 2010 and 2015 regarding the indigenous communities in Mato Grosso do Sul and Raposa-Serra do Sol, the Belo Monte and the São Luiz do Tapajós hydroelectric projects, the demarcation of indigenous peoples’ lands and attacks against and killings of indigenous persons defending their human rights. 3. The visit coincided with the heightening of the political crisis in Brazil that led to considerable political upheaval, including the ongoing process to impeach the President and the formation of an interim Government. The Special Rapporteur is closely monitoring the situation and is in communication with the Government of Brazil about her concerns regarding the implications of these political developments and associated institutional, legislative or policy changes for the well-being and survival of indigenous peoples and their enjoyment of land and cultural rights. 4. In the light of the evolving political situation, the report also includes observations on information received by the Special Rapporteur following her visit, which has direct bearing on the issues examined during the visit. The objective of the report is to encourage an open and constructive dialogue with the Government in relation to the realization of the rights of indigenous peoples. II. Overview of the mission 5. During her visit to Brazil, the Special Rapporteur travelled to Brasilia and to the states of Mato Grosso do Sul, Bahia and Pará. She met with representatives of the three branches of Government in Brasilia, including the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI), the Prosecutor General, offices of the Public Prosecutor at the federal and state levels, the Presidents of the Federal Supreme Court and the Superior Court of Justice. She also met with the Minister of Culture; the Secretary of Government; officials from the Ministry of External Relations; the Department of Continuing Education, Literacy, Diversity and Inclusion (SECADI) of the Ministry of Education; the Special Department on Indigenous Health (SESAI) of the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of the Environment; the former Ministry of Social Development and the Fight against Hunger; the Secretary of State for Human Rights under the former Ministry of Women, Racial Equality, Youth and Human Rights; the Executive Secretary and President of FUNAI under the Ministry of Justice; and the Attorney General. The Special Rapporteur also met the Vice-Governor of Mato Grosso do Sul, members of Congress, representatives of the Agriculture and Livestock Federation of Mato Grosso do Sul (FAMASUL); representatives of the European Union delegation and the Embassy of Norway; the United Nations country team; Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization; members of the National Council on Human Rights; and the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES). 3