2. Advocating at the international level - UN human rights mechanisms

While the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) set the standards, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) is one of the engines that follows the implementation of the Declaration. Created in 2007, this subsidiary body of the Human Rights Council is composed of 7 independent Indigenous experts. The Expert Mechanism doesn't just monitor violations, it offers practical solutions and analysis.

For more information on the UNDRIP, see Section 1.9: A focus on Indigenous Peoples' Rights, Peasants' Rights, and Rural Areas

Note: Along with the Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples, EMRIP and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues are the 3 UN bodies mandated to address Indigenous Peoples’ issues.

EMRIP's mission is to help States and Indigenous Peoples advance the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples through laws and policies while offering technical support. Indigenous Peoples working on environmental matters, land rights and other issues can easily engage with this mechanism.

• No ECOSOC status is needed to engage during the EMRIP session
• Tripartite approach: It brings together Indigenous Peoples, States, and Experts to solve problems together.
• The 7 independent Indigenous experts represent 7 socio-cultural regions to make sure that the analysis of Indigenous issues incorporates developments and context from various parts of the world

What can EMRIP do for you?

1. Produce evidence and studies

EMRIP creates authoritative reports on critical issues like the Right of Indigenous Peoples to data, or studies on Indigenous Peoples' rights in the context of borders, migration and displacement. EMRIP also drafts annual reports that summarise its interactions and responses from States, as a means of documenting its progress. Many of the reports and analysis have incorporated an environmental analysis.

2. Country engagements (the "hands-on" tool)

Both States and Indigenous Peoples can request EMRIP’s help to advise on specific domestic issues. This is how it works:

• Experts can visit your country (or meet remotely) to facilitate dialogue between your community, the government, and even companies. This is called “country engagement”.
• The outcome: They produce a report with concrete recommendations to help adopt better laws or policies.

More information can be found here.

3. Annual session (your global stage)

Held every July (generally after the end of the Human Rights Council Session), this is your chance to speak directly to the Experts and States and make your issues visible to the members.

• Participate: Deliver oral statements (2 mins), join or organise side events, or network with allies.
• Influence: You can submit information following the call for inputs or, during the July session, provide comments to the draft before it is finalised and subsequently presented in September at the Human Rights Council.

Tip!

If you want more details on the mandate, check its website.

How to engage with EMRIP?

• Studies and reports: Contribute to their annual "call for Inputs" to ensure your community’s reality is reflected in these global studies.
• Country engagement: Request a dialogue if rights are breached. Draft clear "Terms of Reference" to ensure the Experts address your community’s needs. Define clear goals for their visit and ensure your agenda is prioritised.
• Direct contact: Need advice or support from EMRIP? Email the Secretariat: [email protected]

Focus

EMRIP Annual session in July

• Whilst the sessions are taking place, activists can submit a request for a statement (2 minutes maximum). If you submitted a statement, ensure it is clear, timed and revised. Make sure you have legitimate demands as well. Remember, time is limited, and you want to maximise your impact. See an example here.
• You can organise a side event on a relevant issue, usually in collaboration with other partners.
• You can attend seminars, events and other parallel activities to identify potential allies and like-minded stakeholders.
• During this time, it’s also possible to request a meeting with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: [email protected]

Registration for the session, but also statements and side-events usually happen quite in advance (April-May). You can find more information about the sessions here, including information on registration and modalities of participation for each annual session.

Tip!

Use resources from the Indigenous Peoples Centre for Documentation, Research and Information (DOCIP) for cheat sheets and guidance on maximising your impact. They are the reference in supporting Indigenous groups in accessing Geneva spaces for Indigenous Peoples.

Defender Story

Norway - Sámi defenders secure expert guidance to protect their land and rights

Facing threats from mining and wind projects, Sámi organizations requested an EMRIP country engagement. In March 2024, experts visited communities and government officials, exposing gaps between Norwegian law and international human rights standards. The mission resulted in a technical advisory note with concrete recommendations to strengthen Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and land protections, which the Norwegian government has now officially acknowledged and begun to address.

• EMRIP conclusions after visiting Norway (2024)
• Norway statement (EMRIP session July 2025)
• Article on the case

Let’s now focus on another very important expert mechanism within the UN, grounded in international law: The UN treaty bodies.