E/CN.4/2004/80 page 3 The Special Rapporteur recommends that States carry out exhaustive reviews and, if necessary, reforms of their justice systems to better protect the rights of indigenous peoples. He invites the Commission on Human Rights to take up this issue with member States. Such reforms should include respect for indigenous legal customs, language and culture in the courts and the administration of justice; the full participation of indigenous people in justice reform; and the establishment of alternative justice mechanisms. In addition to the country mission reports, addendum 1 contains information on communications and responses from Governments on alleged human rights violations received and processed during the period from 15 December 2002 to 15 December 2003. The Special Rapporteur also transmits to the Commission for its consideration addendum 4, containing the conclusions and recommendations of the Expert Seminar on Indigenous Peoples and Administration of Justice, convened at the request of the Commission on Human Rights, which was held in Madrid from 12 to 14 November 2003.

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