2004/57. Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

The Commission on Human Rights,

Considering Economic and Social Council resolution 1982/34 of 7 May 1982, in which the Council authorized the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, formerly the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, to establish annually a working group on indigenous populations with the mandate to review developments pertaining to the promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous populations, giving special attention to the evolution of standards concerning the rights of indigenous populations,

Taking note of Sub-Commission resolution 2003/29 of 14 August 2003 and of the report of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations on its twenty-first session (E/CN.4/Sub.2/2003/22), in particular its programme of work,

Taking into account that in accordance with Economic and Social Council decision 2003/307 of 25 July 2003 the Council will consider at its substantive session of 2004 the review mandated in paragraph 8 of Council resolution 2000/22 of 28 July 2000 regarding all existing mechanisms, procedures and programmes within the United Nations concerned with indigenous issues, including the Working Group on Indigenous Populations,

Recalling its resolution 2003/55 of 24 April 2003 in which it endorsed the recommendations made by the Sub-Commission in its resolutions 2002/17 and 2002/21 of 14 August 2002,

Reaffirming the urgent need to recognize, promote and protect more effectively the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people and the important role to be played in that respect by all existing mechanisms within the United Nations system mandated to review indigenous issues,

Encouraged by the renewed commitment and growing interest of the international community in the full and effective protection of the human rights of indigenous people,

Considering the continuing need for the Working Group on account of its present mandate, which is distinct from those of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people,

Convinced of the need to continue exploring ways and means to promote and further strengthen the already existing cooperation between the Working Group, the Permanent Forum and the Special Rapporteur, since their respective mandates are complementary and do not give rise to duplication,

1. Reiterates the recommendation made to the Economic and Social Council in Commission resolution 2003/55 that the Council take duly into account the contents of that resolution when holding the review of all existing mechanisms, procedures and programmes within the United Nations concerning indigenous issues mandated in paragraph 8 of Council resolution 2000/22;

2. Recommends also that the Economic and Social Council take duly into account the contents of the present resolution when carrying out the review at its substantive session of 2004, pursuant to Council decision 2003/307.