Below is an article by UNPO:

During the 9th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, Prof. James Anaya presented his first report on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples to the members of the Council on 9 and 10 September 2008. Prof. Anaya assumed the mandate from Prof. Rodolfo Stavenhagen on 1 May 2008.

In his interactive dialogue with the Council, Prof. Anaya highlighted the importance that he places on focusing on the views of indigenous women. In addition, a number of fields of interest on which Prof. Anaya wishes to work came up, such as indigenous languages, transnational corporations relation to human rights and recognition of legal systems.

In the interactive dialogue Nepal, Chile and Finland took the opportunity to highlight the progress they have made in relation to the human rights position of indigenous people. These states made a particular reference to the ratification of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 169 concerning indigenous and tribal peoples in independent countries. Chile has recently (September 2008) signed the aforementioned convention, which will enter into force in September 2009. Chile is the latest signatory to the Convention to date, bringing to total number of ratifications of ILO Convention 169 almost twenty years after its inception to 20 states.

For more information on the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples, his mandate and the reports published, please visit the website of the Special Rapporteur.