A/HRC/27/66 Annex Expert Mechanism Advice No. 7 (2014): Promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples in disaster risk reduction initiatives A. General 1. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples provides the legal framework for the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples in disaster risk reduction, prevention and preparedness initiatives. In particular, article 29 calls for “the conservation and protection of the environment and the productive capacity of their lands or territories and resources.” Reducing the risk of natural hazards on indigenous peoples’ lands, territories and livelihoods can be seen as contributing to the fulfilment of other rights of indigenous peoples, including the right to life, the right to health and the right to food. In order for disaster risk reduction initiatives to truly have a positive impact on the rights of indigenous peoples, their full and effective participation in these initiatives is essential. Furthermore, disaster risk reduction initiatives should respect indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination, their rights related to lands, territories and resources, and their right to participate in decision-making. 2. Natural hazards are not disasters, in and of themselves. Whether or not they become disasters depends on a community’s exposure to the hazard and its vulnerability and resilience — all factors that can be addressed by human (including State) action. A failure by governments and others to take reasonable preventive action to reduce exposure and vulnerability and to enhance resilience, as well as to provide effective mitigation, is a human rights concern. 3. The following Advice is offered to promote and protect the rights of indigenous peoples in the context of disaster risk reduction, prevention and preparedness initiatives. B. Advice for States 4. States should take every opportunity to secure the input of indigenous peoples in the development and implementation of disaster risk reduction initiatives so as to ensure their full and effective participation and the specific inclusion of indigenous peoples’ knowledge and unique needs or circumstances. States, and in particular agencies responsible for national development, should be committed to ensuring the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples, partnering with indigenous peoples in national strategies for disaster risk reduction. 5. National policies should integrate indigenous perspectives that reflect the changing climate in the context of disaster risk reduction in order to provide a strategic framework for action that empowers indigenous peoples to build resilience while respecting their right to self-determination with regard to their lands, territories and natural resources, their right to participate in decision-making, and their right to protect their cultural knowledge. 21