A/61/490 The situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people Summary The present report, on activities carried out from November 2005 to October 2006, highlights some concerns which the Special Rapporteur deems to be worthy of special and urgent attention. The activities carried out by the Special Rapporteur in fulfilment of the mandate entrusted to him by the Commission on Human Rights in 2001 have focused on (a) thematic investigation of issues that have an impact on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people; (b) country visits; and (c) communications with Governments with respect to alleged violations of indigenous people’s human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the world. In this report, the Special Rapporteur refers in particular to the relevance for indigenous people of the adoption by the General Assembly of the draft United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which the Human Rights Council adopted at its first session. During the period under review, the Special Rapporteur undertook official missions to New Zealand and Ecuador and made follow-up visits to Guatemala, Mexico and Canada. 2 06-55256