A/HRC/12/32 page 19 71. Many representatives of indigenous delegations welcomed the discussion on the Declaration and its endorsement by their respective Governments, while pointing to the challenges that its implementation entails at the national level. Indigenous representatives emphasized that the Declaration was the most comprehensive universal international human rights instrument explicitly addressing the rights of indigenous peoples. The significance of the Declaration as an instrument of reference and a basis for constructive dialogue and reconciliation between indigenous peoples was reiterated several times by States and international organizations. 72. Some indigenous representatives recalled that provisions enshrined in the Declaration reflect binding human rights instruments and should be used as a reference by international human rights mechanisms, including treaty monitoring bodies and special procedures. They also stressed that regional human rights mechanisms, including the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, can also use the Declaration in their deliberations, interpretations and decisions. 73. The incorporation of the principles of the Declaration in domestic law was viewed by a number of speakers as an effective way to ensure the realization of indigenous peoples’ rights. In this respect, various examples were underlined including references to the Declaration in constitutional provisions and in domestic jurisprudence. Many observers also stressed that in order to ensure that violations of the rights of indigenous peoples are properly addressed, effective remedies must be made available for victims of violations. 74. Several speakers stressed the importance of expanding the activities that national human rights institutions and similar bodies undertake to promote and protect the rights of indigenous peoples. The importance of working with the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and regional organizations of NHRIs, such as the Asia-Pacific Forum, in developing educational tools and conducting technical assistance programmes on the rights of indigenous peoples was underscored in this context. 75. Indigenous representatives pointed to efforts to translate and disseminate the Declaration and the ongoing need to raise awareness about it within civil society, Governments and indigenous peoples at the regional and national levels. It was stressed that it is only through dialogue that non-governmental organizations and governmental bodies could effectively pursue and implement international commitments under the Declaration. The hope was expressed that the work of the Expert Mechanism would contribute to this dialogue and to the promotion of the Declaration. 76. The need to recognize indigenous peoples as rights holders, as opposed to just stakeholders, was underlined and the importance of the principle of free, prior and informed consent was highlighted by a number of indigenous representatives, including in relation to extractive activities. Some indigenous representatives further stated that the right to self-determination and the right to free, prior and informed consent constituted prerequisites for the enjoyment of other rights enshrined in the Declaration and called on the Expert Mechanism to take this into account in its work.