A/79/160
lands are reduced, forcing many families to modify their identity and resettle. Since
they do not have the economic resources to acquire property, settlements often arise
on the outskirts of cities, where they lack basic services and infrastructure. 163
78. As mobile Indigenous Peoples increasingly migrate to urban areas in search of
education and employment, their specific needs and rights are often overlooked. 164
They may experience difficulties in adjusting to new environments, including
language barriers, culture shock, the lack of access to communal lands and traditional
foods, a culturally inappropriate curriculum, racism and discrimination, as well as
disconnection from their community. 165
79. In Latin America, although accurate statistical data are scarce, transnational
Indigenous Peoples face significant challenges in gaining access to culturally
appropriate health and education services, as well as electricity, gas and the Internet.
In addition, they experience high unemployment and violations of their labour rights,
and are often forced to work in informal economies. 166
80. In Colombia, mobile Indigenous Peoples in initial contact have been displaced
from their ancestral territories to urban centres as a result of armed conflict and
economic exploitation of their lands. This forced urbanization has occurred without
policies that adequately consider their territorial, cultural and linguistic needs,
creating significant barriers for them to gain access to basic services. 167
81. Young mobile Indigenous Peoples are increasingly moving to cities or other
countries in search of new opportunities owing to the combined effects of
discrimination, a lack of access to basic resources and services, and incentives to
pursue alternative livelihoods. 168 When young persons leave their communities, it
affects the transmission of culture and generational renewal. In the Peruvian
highlands, young herders are leaving for urban areas, losing their traditional lifeways
and endangering their safety. 169
82. For mobile Indigenous Peoples, access to health-care services, including
primary health care, maternal care and emergency medical assistance is often limited
in remote areas because of distance, cost, poor infrastructure and institutional
discrimination. 170 Mobile Indigenous Peoples in Kenya must walk long distances to
reach health facilities, which are often ill-equipped. 171 Owing to their mobility and
distance from urban areas, during the coronavirus disease (COVID -19) pandemic, the
Bedouin of Jordan suffered from significant delays in the delivery of health and
preventive services. 172
83. Mobile lifestyles provide an important and affordable source of nutrition. This
is particularly true for Indigenous Peoples living in voluntary isolation and initial
contact. Displaced mobile communities may suffer high levels of malnutrition when
they are prevented from accessing their hunting, gathering and fishing grounds, as
__________________
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
22/28
Mexico, Secretary of External Relations submission.
A/76/202.
Ibid.; and submission from Canada.
Secoya Indigenous Organization and others, joint submission.
See https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/indigenouspeoples/sr/statements/
20240315-sr-ipeoples-oem-statement-colombia.pdf.
International Land Coalition submission.
Permanent Forum side event on mobile Indigenous Peoples and the Dana Declaration, 19 April 2024.
Thresia and others, “The health of indigenous populations in South Asia”.
Mainyoito Pastoralists Integrated Development Organization submission.
Mafraq Youth Association Team Group submission.
24-13045