A/HRC/48/54 At-risk populations 34. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states that: “States shall take effective measures and, where appropriate, special measures to ensure continuing improvement of their economic and social conditions. Particular attention shall be paid to the needs of indigenous elders, women, youth, children and persons with disabilities.” (art. 21 (2)). The risk of indigenous peoples being overlooked both in pandemic mitigation efforts and in the post-COVID-19 recovery process, including, in particular, indigenous women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons, is growing exponentially. 35. A gender-based approach is needed when planning and implementing COVID-19 recovery measures to address inequalities and the unique impacts on women. Women are often the primary caregivers for children and other dependents and tend to bear the burden of domestic labour, which has increased in the light of stay-at-home orders. 36. The educational needs of children and youth need to be considered to catch up from extended periods of school shutdowns and difficulty accessing remote learning. One of the benefits of indigenous children remaining at home and learning remotely has been the increased opportunity for cultural teachings and the transmission of knowledge between generations. In many cases the pandemic has deepened “connections to land, culture and language which provide some potential for pathways forward”. 48 Unfortunately, school closures have also led to increased levels of pregnancy and early marriage among schoolaged girls. Girls are also less likely to receive support to continue with their education due to increased domestic responsibilities and will need targeted support in COVID-19 recovery measures.49 37. Indigenous elders, who are generally the holders and transmitters of traditional knowledge, culture and language, require special attention due to their greater vulnerability to COVID-19. 38. Special consideration should also be given to peoples living in voluntary isolation or in a phase of initial contact and those practicing a nomadic or semi-nomadic way of life. COVID-19 measures have failed to adequately address the nomadic lifestyle of indigenous communities. In West Africa, lockdowns have reportedly prevented nomadic groups from engaging in pastoralism.50 Indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation and in initial contact have been overlooked during the pandemic and are at greater risk of physical harm and irreversible loss of culture, traditional knowledge and language extinction. Deaths from COVID-19 have reduced the number of indigenous language speakers and dwindling populations impact the transmission of traditional knowledge, customs and practices. 39. Recovery from COVID-19 should include efforts to mitigate the threat of extinction for remote indigenous communities with small numbers, or who have been hit hard by the pandemic. 51 Illegal incursions are threatening the security of indigenous peoples whose immune systems have never been exposed to a coronavirus and who lack access to a national health-care system.52 The increased development of mega-projects in indigenous territories during the COVID-19 pandemic has created aggravated health risks from pollution, as well as from contact with external workers.53 To address these threats, indigenous communities 48 49 50 51 52 53 10 See submission by Tŝilhqot’in Nation. See OHCHR and Defenders Coalition, “Kenya: Leaving no one behind in the COVID-19 crisis. Human rights impact in indigenous communities”, p. 3. See submission by Union des Professionnels de l’Élevage de la Région de l’Est (UPERE). See, for example, International Federation for Human Rights and others, “The impact of COVID-19 on the defense of human rights in Brazil” (February 2021) and Associated Press, “Governor tells President: ‘incredible spikes’ could ‘wipe out tribal nations’”, 31 March 2020. The Impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous Peoples in Latin America (Abya Yala): Between Invisibility and Collective Resistance, p. 29. See also submissions by Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil Apoinme; Arpin Sudeste; Arpinsul; Comissão Guarani Yvyrupa; Conselho do Povo Terena; Aty Guasu; and COIAB. See submissions by Alianza de Organizaciones de Derechos Humanos Ecuador and Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas de la Amazonía Ecuatoriana.