A/77/514 implementation of Resolution 16/18 in the eighth meeting of the Istanbul Process this February; (2) published an eight-point action plan on countering antisemitism;8 and (3) supported an online forum for discussing a Panel of Independent International Experts' findings of alleged international law violations against Muslims in India since 2019.9 On 10 June 2022, with several mandate-holders, he urged the HRC to convene a special session on China and create a standing mechanism for monitoring, analysing, and reporting annually on its human rights situation. 6. In concluding his mandate, the Special Rapporteur thanks his predecessors for the solid foundation they have established and the mandate-holders of other Special Procedures for their support. He is grateful to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNOGP for their close collaboration. He acknowledges valuable cooperation from civil society, States, and intergovernmental organizations, especially the International Contact Group on freedom of religion or belief and the NGO Committee on freedom of religion or belief. He is incredibly grateful for close and wide-ranging support from the Freedom of Religion or Belief Project/ City University of New York, Essex Human Rights Centre Clinic, Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project, and Essex Autonomy Project. III. Methodology 7. The Special Rapporteur convened 16 bilateral meetings and 25 consultations across all five geographical regions (18 virtual, four hybrid, and seven in-person10 ) to inform the present report. Participants included survivors of rights violations, indigenous leaders and influencers; human rights defenders; policymakers; academics; UN offices, and other intergovernmental organization officials. Despite limited Internet connectivity and language barriers, the Special Rapporteur sought to engage indigenous peoples in geographically remote locations wherever possible. In response to his Call for Submissions, he received and reviewed 39 submissions from civil society, 36 from individuals, four from States, and one from a multilateral organization. The Special Rapporteur extends his deepest gratitude to all who provided their time and insight. 8. A methodological challenge in preparing this report was the lack of comprehensive or disaggregated data mapping indigenous peoples' experiences with the freedom of religion or belief framework. Researchers may overlook concerns or hold certain biases towards indigenous spirituality. Security was another key concern where indigenous peoples live in conflict-afflicted or insecure situations, potentially fearing violent retribution. 9. Acknowledging the diversity of indigenous peoples' beliefs and lived experiences, the report does not analyse all concerning situations but provides an evidence-based analysis of trends and illustrative examples. The Special Rapporteur adopts an intersectional lens, noting reports of multiple, intersecting forms of discrimination, violence, and hostility based on various characteristics (e.g., religion or belief, race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, gender identity, political opinion),11 including a gender lens—consistent with his mandate— for analysing violations and issuing recommendations. IV. Conceptual and legal framework 10. International law has no universally accepted definition of "indigenous peoples." Nevertheless, community self-identification is widely regarded as a "fundamental criterion,"12 with many considering themselves distinct by possessing "historical continuity" with pre-colonial societies on their land.13 Objective criteria could also be considered (e.g., 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2022-05/ActionPlanChanges-May2022.pdf https://piieindia.wordpress.com. Canada, Ecuador, Greenland, Kenya, Norway, USA. A/HRC/30/41,(para.8); A/HRC/50/26,(para.74). CRC/C/GC/11,(para.19); UNDRIP, art.33. E/CN.4/Sub.2/1986/7.