E/CN.4/2006/78
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43.
In the Raposa Serra do Sol Indigenous Reserve in Brazil, which has been demarcated and
registered for its indigenous peoples after many years of negotiations and formalities, acts that
violate the rights of these communities continue to be performed, such as encouragement of
immigration of people from other areas, concessions of land to mining companies, urban and
farming settlements, and projects for hydroelectric works and a military base. Although the
Ministry of Justice awarded definitive ownership to the indigenous people, contentious cases
continue to be heard by the Superior Tribunal of Justice to the detriment of their rights.
44.
In some countries the State has sometimes confronted the social struggles, claims and
protests of the indigenous organizations with the implementation of terrorist laws. The Special
Rapporteur considers that when ordinary crimes are committed under the umbrella of these
movements, ordinary laws are sufficient for the maintenance of law and order. He considers that
the use of exceptional laws is not only counterproductive, but forms a pattern of human rights
violations. The Special Rapporteur recommends, in the cases that have come to his attention,
that these laws should not be used to criminalize social protest and the struggles of the
indigenous peoples; they should preferably be repealed. He is pleased to see that in Chile the
Mapuche leaders charged with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act, for which they had been tried
in mid-2005, were acquitted (see E/CN.4/2006/78/Add.1).
45.
In the Asian countries with legislation on indigenous peoples, not all laws have been fully
implemented. Conflict of laws often results in disregard of indigenous rights. A two-track
system of land rights for indigenous people and for non-indigenous people creates confusion,
which in turn leads to more abuses against indigenous persons. For instance, even if a land
regulation gives priority to those with customary rights, in practice their claims are often
ignored, and preference is given to other persons or enterprises.
46.
In order fully to promote the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous
peoples, in some countries the institution of indigenous “ombudsman” or equivalent has been
established. Or sometimes the office of the national ombudsman (where one exists) or
equivalent (commissions, defenders’ offices and human rights attorneys) has a department or
office devoted to these problems of the indigenous peoples. According to information received
by the Special Rapporteur, these bodies often lack sufficient financial and human resources to
tackle all the issues arising in their spheres, so that their response capacity is reduced. In
addition to which a human rights ombudsman system generally occupies a secondary place in the
national spectrum.
47.
A comparative study by the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights shows that these
bodies normally perform activities of investigation, mediation, proxy representation, and
education. They sometimes propose legislative initiatives. As a general rule, they are
institutionally fragile and not fully independent; their budgets are inadequate; their mandate is
often not legally justified; they are not physically present in indigenous areas; they cannot
investigate violations committed by private individuals; they lack qualified personnel; they do
not maintain proper relations with indigenous organizations; and performance of their defence
functions is poor. The study recommends institutional and legal strengthening, independence
and civic support, stable and independent budgets, powers to investigate violations committed by