A/66/288 I. Introduction 1. n In its resolution 2001/57, the Commission on Human Rights decided to appoint, for a three-year period, a special rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people to gather, request, receive and exchange information and communications from all relevant sources concerning human rights violations against indigenous people themselves and their communities and organizations and to formulate recommendations and proposals to prevent and remedy such violations, among other functions. 2. In its resolution 6/12, the Human Rights Council decided to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, to develop a regular cooperative dialogue with Governments, relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and programmes, as well as indigenous peoples, non-governmental organizations and other regional or subregional international institutions; to examine ways and means of overcoming existing obstacles to the full and effective protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, in conformity with his mandate, and to identify, exchange and promote best practices; and to promote the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and international instruments relevant to the advancement of the rights of indigenous peoples, where appropriate. 3. By its resolution 15/14, the Council renewed the mandate, referring to the Special Rapporteur as the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, not as the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, under essentially the same terms. 4. The Human Rights Council appointed James Anaya of the United States of America Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples for an initial term of three years beginning 1 May 2008. Mr. Anaya’s appointment to the mandate was renewed for a second three-year term effective 1 May 2011. 5. The present report provides an overview of the Special Rapporteur’s work during the first three years of his appointment. It describes his efforts to coordinate with United Nations and other international mechanisms and agencies, and outlines the following initiatives, carried out within four interrelated spheres of activity relevant to the mandate: promoting good practices, reporting on country situations, examining cases of alleged human rights violations and developing or contributing to thematic studies. The report includes summaries of the major points that have been made in the examination of key topics and that have been included in the annual reports of the Special Rapporteur to the Human Rights Council. II. Coordination with other mechanisms 6. As indicated in Council resolution 15/14, a fundamental aspect of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur is his ongoing cooperation and partnership with other United Nations mechanisms dedicated to the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, namely the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 11-44942 3