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of their autonomy and self-government and is essential for their survival as
distinct peoples;
(c) Existing arrangements in terms of indigenous autonomy and
self-government in their internal and external aspects should be reviewed and
harmonized with the internationally recognized human rights standards on the
rights of indigenous peoples, in particular the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
(d) Mutually agreed upon and formalized mechanisms for permanent
intercultural dialogue between States and indigenous peoples should be jointly
established;
(e) States must adopt the measures necessary to provide ways and means
for the financing of indigenous peoples’ autonomous functions. Systems to access
and utilize State resources should be culturally adequate and under the direct
control of indigenous peoples. States should refrain from imposing their own
priorities on the use of State funds corresponding to indigenous autonomous
governments;
(f) States have the duty to provide social services and, if needed, special
measures for indigenous peoples to enjoy their basic human rights. The
fulfilment of that obligation must not be used as a control mechanism. In that
sense, all existing or proposed measures have to be assessed and, if necessary,
modified considering two main questions: whether they strengthen indigenous
peoples’ self-determination or, on the contrary, force them into schemes that lead
to integration or assimilation, and whether the measures have been developed
and are being implemented in true partnership with indigenous peoples;
(g) A change in the mindset of States and societies is needed so that
indigenous peoples and their cultures may be considered a valuable part of the
identity of the State itself and indigenous peoples’ claims are dealt with as a
fundamental human rights and justice issue and not as a threat to State
structures or welfare. The national education and justice systems, as well as the
media, have an important role to play in that regard;
(h) Lastly, it is important to stress that indigenous peoples themselves
have taken steps to enjoy their right to autonomy or self-government and have
developed substantive proposals in that regard. States should prioritize the
support for those proposals.
82. Taking into account existing positive practices and the multiple pending
challenges, the Special Rapporteur considers that there is a need for capacitybuilding for both States and indigenous peoples as concerns the exercise of State
duties and indigenous responsibilities for the implementation of the right of
indigenous peoples to autonomy or self-government. Exchange and cooperation
among indigenous peoples themselves on their experiences, successes and
challenges, as well as inter-State dialogues on the issue, should be encouraged
and supported.
83. In that context, the Special Rapporteur calls upon the United Nations
system, as well as the regional human rights systems and national human rights
institutions, to support capacity-building, intercultural dialogue and
information exchange among States and indigenous peoples to achieve the full
realization of indigenous peoples’ right to autonomy or self-government.
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