A/60/358 IV. Status report: major human rights problems affecting indigenous peoples 29. Generally speaking, the human rights situation of indigenous peoples is far from satisfactory. Despite the progress made in some countries, in most regions of the world indigenous people continue to face powerful obstacles hindering the full and effective enjoyment of their rights and to endure grave violations of their fundamental rights. 30. From the information he assembled, the Special Rapporteur identified trends affecting indigenous peoples in various regions of the world. Following is a brief discussion of these patterns in the period under consideration. 31. Since indigenous peoples historically identify with “Mother Earth” and base their cultural identity primarily on their long association with the earth and its fruits, when this relationship is disrupted or eroded, situations arise that impair their human rights. The Special Rapporteur has received and continues to receive numerous complaints alleging human rights violations related to conflicts over the tenure and collective ownership of land, access to natural resources such as water and forests and serious environmental problems such as pollution, deforestation, desertification and toxic waste, which adversely affect the lives of individuals and communities. 32. Indigenous peoples show high degrees of marginalization and low indicators of social, economic and human development (according to definitions and criteria set by multilateral bodies). The complaints received often describe serious deficiencies in access to and provision of basic social services. Acts of discrimination are also mentioned, particularly but not solely in the administration of justice. Especially disturbing are reports, from some countries, of murders and extrajudicial executions, death threats against community authorities and the persecution of indigenous representatives and leaders under new counter-terrorism measures. There are numerous obstacles to the full enjoyment of the right to education, including issues related to the use and protection of indigenous languages and cultures. 33. The Special Rapporteur is troubled by frequent complaints about evictions and forced displacements of indigenous communities, despite international legal provisions such as International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 169 concerning indigenous and tribal peoples in independent countries, which clearly establish the rights of indigenous peoples in such circumstances. The Special Rapporteur has received eviction complaints from Botswana, Kenya, the Philippines, India and Guatemala, among other countries. He has also received many complaints alleging that indigenous people lack information, opportunities for participation and decision-making power with regard to issues that affect them. 34. The allegations, which come from various parts of the world, demonstrate that indigenous people are vulnerable to various forms of discrimination based on their ethnicity. Moreover, many reports refer to the persecution of leaders and representatives of indigenous social movements whose activities affect various kinds of vested interests. The Special Rapporteur has received a large number of communications, and has gathered information during country visits, attesting to the difficult situation of indigenous women, who face daily insults and humiliations for wearing traditional costumes (among other reasons) and of indigenous human-rights 10