BC First Nations highlight human rights concerns to United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, seeking resolution through UN mechanisms.

March 10, 2023

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territory/Vancouver, B.C.  This week, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (SRRIP), Francisco Calí Tzay met with various First Nations and Indigenous organisations in BC, including representatives of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the Office of The Wet’suwet’en, former Chief of Neskonlith Indian Band, Judy Wilson, and the First Nations Leadership Council. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur includes reporting on the human rights of Indigenous Peoples worldwide and addressing specific alleged cases of violations of Indigenous rights. Special Rapporteur Calí Tzay is on a ten day visit to Canada to hear from Indigenous peoples on a range of issues including how the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (“UNDRIP”) is being implemented in Canada.