A/79/160
Partnership Committee and the action plan for the implementation of the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which includes
measures to amend Canada’s right of entry provision and work and study permits to
address “the impacts of colonialism on Indigenous groups affected by international
borders”. 134
64. In Algeria, Chad and Morrocco, transborder Bedouin camel herders sustain
themselves with camel milk and meat and live in tents made of camel hair. States have
interfered with their mobility by encouraging assimilation into urban areas, causing
the destruction of physical environments. The Bedouin are targets for drug smuggling
because of their history of movement and ability to navigate borders, and Bedouin
youth who may lack economic opportunities are at particular risk of being targeted.
Transborder Bedouin living between Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic are affected
by movement restrictions, including those caused by conflict. 135
65. Indigenous Peoples living in voluntary isolation and initial contact
transboundary communities live across Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru
and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), with territories often spanning several
national borders. 136 The Ayoreo, who live in isolation between Paraguay and the
Plurinational State of Bolivia, regularly cross borders to access salt pans. Similarly,
the Mashco Piro move between Brazil and Peru. Despite measures by some States,
such as Brazil, Ecuador and Peru, which have established corridors to protect their
territories and support mobility, Indigenous Peoples living in voluntary isolation and
initial contact living along borders remain vulnerable to armed conflict, mining,
logging, drug trafficking and militarization. 137 In this context, the Government of
Brazil, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Indigenous Council of
the Federal State of Roraima launched the “Life Plan for the Warao, E’ñepa and
Ka’riña Original Indigenous Peoples from Venezuela living in Brazil”. 138
66. The Badau seafaring peoples who live across the maritime borders of Indonesia,
Malaysia and the Philippines do not have a fixed nationality. Stateless sea nomads are
denied access to government programmes and may be viewed negatively by States
owing to the inability to locate and tax them. 139 Bajau Laut seafarer students in
Malaysia were detained after a demonstration calling for improved access to water.
The detentions followed an eviction of Indigenous Bajau Laut People in Semporna,
Sabah (Malaysia). 140
67. In Latin America, several initiatives have been adopted to protect and recognize
mobile transnational Indigenous Peoples. States members of the Southern Common
Market (MERCOSUR) 141 established a Technical Commission for Dialogue with
Transboundary Indigenous Peoples to gather information and strengthen cooperation
in order to address their needs. 142 In 2019, Costa Rica adopted Law 9710, drafted in
consultation with the Ngäbe-Buglé Peoples to recognize their transnational nature and
__________________
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
24-13045
Canada submission; see also https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/declaration/ap-pa/index.html.
University of Northumberland submission.
Secoya Indigenous Organization and others, joint submission.
Indigenous Programme of the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Development of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs submission; Permanent Forum side event on mobile Indigenous
Peoples and the Dana Declaration, 19 April 2024.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), “Life Plan reveals future perspectives for
Venezuela’s indigenous people”, 2 August 2023.
International Land Coalition submission.
Amnesty International, “Stop crackdown on Bajau Laut people”, 22 June 2024; and
A/HRC/42/47/Add.2.
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Paraguay submission.
19/28