United Nations
General Assembly
A/HRC/39/17/Add.2*
Distr.: General
28 June 2018
English
Original: Spanish
Human Rights Council
Thirty-ninth session
10–28 September 2018
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous
peoples on her visit to Mexico
Note by the Secretariat
This report examines the situation of indigenous peoples in Mexico. It is based on
information received by the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples during
her visit to the country from 8 to 17 November 2017 and on independent research.
The Special Rapporteur notes that, since the official visit made in 2003 by the
former Special Rapporteur, Rodolfo Stavenhagen, and despite the commitments
subsequently made by Mexico in the field of human rights, indigenous peoples continue to
face serious challenges in the exercise of their human rights.
Current development policies, which are based on megaprojects (in mining, energy,
tourism, real estate and agriculture, among other areas), pose a major challenge to
indigenous peoples’ enjoyment of human rights. Lack of self-determination and prior, free,
informed and culturally appropriate consultation are compounded by land conflicts, forced
displacement, and criminal accusations and violence against indigenous peoples who
defend their rights.
All these problems are taking place against a backdrop of profound inequality,
poverty and discrimination faced by indigenous peoples that restricts their access to justice,
education, health and other basic services.
* Reissued for technical reasons on 8 August 2018.
GE.18-10617 (E)
030918 040918