A/HRC/15/37 3. Country reports 20. During this period, the Special Rapporteur has continued to examine, and prepare reports on, the human rights situation of indigenous peoples in specific countries, at the invitation of their respective Governments. 21. Since submitting his previous report to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur has prepared reports on the situation of indigenous peoples in Botswana, Colombia and Australia,5 and has visited the Russian Federation,6 the Sápmi region, which covers the traditional territory of the Sami people in the Nordic countries,7 and New Zealand,8 with a view to gathering information on the general situation of the indigenous people in those countries. In the past year, the Special Rapporteur has received positive signs from the Governments of the Republic of the Congo and El Salvador concerning possible visits in the future. 4. Cases of alleged human rights violations 22. The Special Rapporteur has continued, pursuant to his mandate from the Council, to gather, request, receive and exchange “information and communications from all relevant sources, including Governments, indigenous people and their communities and organizations, on alleged violations of their human rights and fundamental freedoms”.9 To that end, the Special Rapporteur continues his practice of formulating long-term strategies in the context of a “regular cooperative dialogue with all relevant actors”.10 23. In some of the cases examined, the Special Rapporteur has drafted a series of detailed observations and recommendations regarding the action which, in his view, States and, as appropriate, other interested parties should take to address those situations, in the framework of the relevant international rules. These observations are included in his report on communications (Add.1), together with summaries of the Special Rapporteur’s communications to Governments and the replies received, or in special reports. By this practice, the Special Rapporteur endeavours to identify the substantive issues in specific cases and to encourage cooperation between States and indigenous peoples in the search for constructive solutions to those problems. 24. It was in that context that, during his visit to Australia in August 2009, the Special Rapporteur conducted a special follow-up to earlier communications concerning the effects on indigenous rights of the Australian Government’s Northern Territory Emergency Response. The Special Rapporteur prepared a special report containing his observations on that matter, which was annexed to his report on the situation of indigenous peoples in Australia.11 25. Similarly, as part of his work to follow up specific allegations, the Special Rapporteur visited Guatemala, in June 2010, to investigate the situation of indigenous peoples affected by the Marlin mine in the Sipacapa and San Miguel Ixtahuacán districts. During his visit, the Special Rapporteur also examined general questions concerning 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 6 A/HRC/15/37/Add.2, 3 and 4, respectively. A/HRC/15/37/Add.5. A/HRC/15/37/Add.6. A/HRC/15/37/Add.9. Human Rights Council resolution 6/12, para. 1 (b). Ibid., para. 1 (f). A/HRC/15/37/Add.4, appendix B. GE.10-15075