E/CN.4/2003/90/Add.3 page 25 on women and children, especially indigenous girls. The Special Rapporteur concludes that unless adequate measures of protection are taken urgently to diminish or halt these development-induced negative impacts, the very survival of indigenous peoples may be at stake. 64. The Special Rapporteur is also concerned about numerous reports of harassment of indigenous human rights defenders and their organizations, who, together with responsible government agencies, are the cornerstone for the protection, promotion and realization of the human rights of indigenous peoples. These organizations should not be dismissed by the Government as troublesome critics of the State, but rather as partners in the search for constructive solutions to the human rights protection gap mentioned earlier. A democratic society can only thrive on full respect for human rights. 65. The Special Rapporteur found in the Philippines a thriving, articulate and assertive human rights movement that is especially concerned about human rights abuses against the indigenous peoples. These are the most vulnerable social groups in human rights terms, particularly in the rural areas that are currently being targeted for rapid development activities. Nevertheless, this movement faces many handicaps and a serious challenge in the lack of effective remedial measures to rectify human rights violations perpetrated against the indigenous peoples. Many indigenous representatives reported that they regularly present their grievances to whoever they believe is in a position to assist them at the local barangay, municipal, provincial or national levels, including the police, the army, NCIP, and the National Commission on Human Rights, but most of the time they do not receive a satisfactory response. 66. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the efforts made by the United Nations system for the promotion and protection of the rights of the Philippine indigenous peoples, noting that UNDP and ILO in particular have played a significant role in this process. The Special Rapporteur also notes the work being undertaken in this area by the Asian Development Bank, and wishes to encourage other multilateral financial institutions to concentrate as well on the human rights-based approach to the development of indigenous communities. VII. RECOMMENDATIONS 67. The Special Rapporteur would like to make the following recommendations to various actors for the better promotion and protection of the human rights of indigenous peoples in the Philippines: (a) That the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) become firmly established as the lead agency in protecting and promoting indigenous rights, as well as in implementing government policy with regard to the indigenous communities. The capacity of NCIP must be strengthened in terms of adequate institutional, human and financial resources. NCIP offices fully qualified to deal with development and human rights issues in defence of indigenous communities should be set up in every indigenous area. NCIP should further improve its coordination with other government agencies, particularly with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, for the effective implementation