U.N. Special Rapporteur
on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

In 2008 the United Nations Human Rights Council appointed Professor James Anaya to the mandate of Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on indigenous peoples receives logistical and technical support from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva.

Additionally, substantial support for all aspects of James Anaya's work as Special Rapporteur is provided by the Support Project for the Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples, which is affiliated with Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program at The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. Members of the Support Project include legal and other professionals who assist the Special Rappporteur with research and field work to investigate country situations, specific cases and major issues of concern to indigenous peoples worldwide, in close coordination with OHCHR staff. Students at the University of Arizona College of law participate in the Support Project under the supervision of professional staff and the Special Rapporteur, as part of their training to gain practical experience in the field of indigenous peoples law and policy.

For more information about the mandate and work of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, see the web site maintained by the Support Project team for the Special Rapporteur.