Resource information
1. The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, visited Brazil from 7 to 17 March 2016, at the invitation of the Government. The purpose of the visit was to identify and assess the main issues currently facing indigenous peoples in the country and to follow up on key recommendations made in 2009 by the previous mandate holder, following his visit to Brazil.
2. The Special Rapporteur's visit was prompted by requests on the part of indigenous peoples in Brazil and communications sent by the Special Rapporteur to the Government between 2010 and 2015 regarding the indigenous communities in Mato Grosso do Sul and Raposa-Serra do Sol, the Belo Monte and the São Luiz do Tapajós hydroelectric projects, the demarcation of indigenous peoples' lands and attacks against and killings of indigenous persons defending their human rights.
3. The visit coincided with the heightening of the political crisis in Brazil that led to considerable political upheaval, including the ongoing process to impeach the President and the formation of an interim Government. The Special Rapporteur is closely monitoring the situation and is in communication with the Government of Brazil about her concerns regarding the implications of these political developments and associated institutional, legislative or policy changes for the well-being and survival of indigenous peoples and their enjoyment of land and cultural rights.
4. In the light of the evolving political situation, the report also includes observations on information received by the Special Rapporteur following her visit, which has direct bearing on the issues examined during the visit. The objective of the report is to encourage an open and constructive dialogue with the Government in relation to the realization of the rights of indigenous peoples.