A/HRC/12/34/Add.3 page 4 I. INTRODUCTION 1. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, James Anaya, visited Nepal from 24 November to 2 December 2008 following an invitation from the Government of Nepal and with the encouragement of indigenous peoples’ organizations of the country. Prior to, during, and subsequent to the visit the Special Rapporteur engaged in an exchange of information with the Government, indigenous peoples and others, as well as in independent research, with the purpose of examining the human rights situation of indigenous peoples in the light of international standards, and to assist the Government of Nepal, indigenous communities, the United Nations and other actors in ongoing efforts to implement these standards. 2. In Kathmandu, the Special Rapporteur held meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Local Development; the Ministry for Law, Justice and Constituent Assembly Affairs; the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation; the Ministry of Water; the Ministry of Culture and State Restructuring; the Ministry of Health and Population; and the Ministry of Education. In addition, the Special Rapporteur consulted with the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and members of the Constituent Assembly, and received pertinent information from the Ministry of Land Reform and Management. He also held consultations with members of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and Bretton Woods institutions, as well as with the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN). 3. The Special Rapporteur met with representatives of the main indigenous organizations of the country at the national level, including the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), the non-governmental organization Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities (NGO FONIN), the Lawyers Association for Human Rights of Nepal’s Indigenous Peoples (LAHURNIP), the National Indigenous Women Federation (NIWF), as well as with civil society organizations such as the National Coalition Against Racial Discrimination (NCARD). The Special Rapporteur participated in the “Forum meeting for representatives and members of indigenous communities”, jointly organized by NFDIN, NEFIN, NIWF and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal; and also took part in the “Consultation meeting of indigenous women of Nepal” organized by the National Network of Indigenous Women (NNIW) with the support of the Canadian Cooperation Office in Nepal and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). 4. The Special Rapporteur conducted field trips to the districts of Ilam, Jhapa, Chitwan and Kailali, where he consulted with indigenous communities, local authorities and regional representatives of organizations he had met with in Kathmandu. 5. The Special Rapporteur wishes to acknowledge the support of the Government of Nepal, indigenous peoples’ organizations, international agencies and others for their cooperation and assistance in preparing for and undertaking the visit. He would especially like to thank the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal, including the offices in Kathmandu and