Statement by
Ms. Fatemeh Arab Bafrani
Second Secretary
Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
Before the Third Committee of the 78th Session of the General Assembly
On Agenda Item 68 (a & b): Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
New York, 9 October 2023
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Mr. Chair,
I thank Mr. Special Rapporteur for his briefing and also for his report focused on tourism.
Today’s interactive dialogue is an important opportunity for member states to discuss shared concerns with regard to the deep, widespread, and systematic violation of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, in different fields. Unfortunately, those countries that are home to a great number of Indigenous Peoples, are not determined enough in taking concrete actions to meet the interconnected challenges that these peoples face, including extractive activities on Indigenous lands, housing insecurity, homelessness, poverty, violence, discrimination, health and well-being issues, structural racism, and intergenerational trauma.
Canada and the United States particularly have failed to advance in this area and meeting the objectives of UNDRIP.
Mr. Chair,
As a general question, I would like to ask Mr. Special Rapporteur that which of the challenges facing the implementation of UNDRIP are the most difficult to overcome in countries that have historically and systematically discriminated against Indigenous Peoples?
And, which of the UNDRIP's objectives are most likely to be achieved?
I Thank you.