A/HRC/54/31/Add.1 32. Inuit people expressed to the Special Rapporteur the need to redress past injustices and related intergenerational trauma and seek truth and reconciliation. He welcomes the fact that Denmark and Greenland have recently taken steps to address those issues. In June 2022, the two Governments agreed to initiate a new impartial investigation into the historical relationship between Denmark and Greenland since the Second World War. 8 That investigation will be a first step in shedding light on historical political decisions, events and policies to uncover their adverse effects on Inuit people. On 22 June 2023, Greenland and Denmark signed an agreement on the terms of reference for the historical inquiry. Denmark will provide funding of 45 million Danish kroner for the historical inquiry, which is expected to be completed within five years. The terms of reference lay emphasis on the involvement of citizens in both Greenland and Denmark throughout the inquiry. However, as of July 2023, the investigation had still not commenced. C. Self-determination and self-governance 33. As a former Special Rapporteur has expressed previously, 9 the extensive selfgovernance of Greenland is an inspiring example of the implementation of Indigenous selfdetermination for many Indigenous Peoples worldwide. The Special Rapporteur notes that Denmark has increased its cooperation with Greenland even in the fields that remain the exclusive responsibility of Denmark. In the case of foreign affairs, the Act on Greenland SelfGovernment includes a section on when and how Greenland can conduct its foreign affairs. Following a referendum in 1982, Greenland withdrew from the European Union and its relations with the latter are now governed by the Overseas Association Decision. 34. The Act on Greenland Self-Government sets out that independence for Greenland should be concluded with the consent of the Parliament of Greenland (Inatsisartut) and then endorsed by a referendum in Greenland. The subsequent consent of the Parliament of Denmark is also required. In 2016, the Parliament of Greenland established a Constitutional Commission and the draft of a constitution was presented to the Parliament in April 2023. The Special Rapporteur notes that the draft text asserts that: “Inuit are the Indigenous People of our land. From this we derive our cultural uniqueness, our history, our heritage and our strength. This must never be forgotten and must be praised, considered and protected at all times.” Further draft provisions underline that Greenland is based on collective rights and the principle of the common ownership of all land, sea and resources is inalienable. Progressive language sets out the right to live in a clean and healthy environment protected on a sustainable basis and defines the notion that sustainable use entails caring for nature, the economy and social and cultural sustainability. 35. The Special Rapporteur encourages Greenland to promote wide-ranging, inclusive and meaningful consultations with the full participation of Inuit people in the process towards full independence, including the three main Inuit groups, the Kalaallit, the Iivit and the Inughuit. The Special Rapporteur recalls that, although Greenland is a good example of implementation of article 3 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, it does not extinguish the application of international human rights standards in relation to Indigenous Peoples in Greenland, in particular for Inuit who practise traditional agriculture, fishing and hunting and those living in remote settlements with their own culture and institutions. 36. Information received by the Special Rapporteur indicates that the Government of Greenland has taken a centralized approach to adopting legislation and action plans, with limited consultations and access to participation by affected right holders. The Special Rapporteur reminds Greenland that good faith consultations to obtain free, prior and informed consent before adopting legislation, policies and administrative acts that may affect Indigenous Peoples are well-established rights under international law, and the Government must implement them with adequate mechanisms and measures. 8 9 GE.23-13414 See www.stm.dk/presse/pressemeddelelser/danmark-og-groenland-beslutter-historisk-udredning-afde-to-landes-forhold (in Danish). A/73/176, para. 80. 7