A/HRC/39/17 I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted to the Human Rights Council by the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples pursuant to her mandate under Council resolution 33/12. In the report the Special Rapporteur briefly refers to the activities undertaken since the submission of her last report (A/HRC/36/46), provides a thematic study on attacks against and the criminalization of indigenous human rights defenders and reflects on available prevention and protection measures. She concludes with recommendations on how various stakeholders can prevent violations and improve protection. II. Activities of the Special Rapporteur 2. Since she presented her last report to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur has carried out two official country visits: to Mexico from 8 to 17 November 2017 (A/HRC/39/17/Add.2) and to Guatemala from 1 to 10 May 2018 (A/HRC/39/17/Add.3). 3. A more detailed description of activities is contained in the Special Rapporteur’s report to the General Assembly (A/72/186), in which she highlighted recent thematic work on indigenous peoples’ right to self-governance; consultation and free, prior and informed consent; indigenous peoples in isolation and initial contact; country visits; communications; and other activities. III. Attacks against and criminalization of indigenous peoples defending their rights A. Introduction 4. The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples is gravely concerned at the drastic increase in attacks and acts of violence against, criminalization of and threats aimed at indigenous peoples, particularly those arising in the context of large-scale projects involving extractive industries, agribusiness, infrastructure, hydroelectric dams and logging. These violations are occurring in the context of intensified competition for and exploitation of natural resources, as observed during country visits and reflected in the increasing number of related allegations. In several countries, increased militarization adds to the threats against indigenous peoples. The Special Rapporteur has therefore decided to prepare a thematic report to draw attention to the escalation of these concerns. 5. The focus of the present report is on the distinctive characteristics of attacks against and criminalization of indigenous peoples defending their rights under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and under human rights treaties, with emphasis on violations occurring in the context of development projects. In the report the Special Rapporteur considers the collective and individual impact on indigenous peoples and assesses the effectiveness of prevention and protective measures, identifying good practices and prevailing challenges with regard to protective measures for indigenous peoples. The Special Rapporteur notes that indigenous peoples are subjected to criminalization in a range of contexts including structural racism and discrimination, areas which may be the subjects of future analysis and reports. 6. In accordance with the mandate, the Special Rapporteur has continuously addressed in her country reports, communications to Governments, press releases and other public statements concerns over indigenous leaders and members of indigenous communities, and those who seek to defend their rights, who are subject to undue criminal prosecution and other acts, including direct attacks, killings, threats, intimidation, harassment and other forms of violence. 3