James Anaya had studied the achievements in the human rights and fundamental freedoms protection of indigenous people of the Russian Federation. This country numbers about 40 officially recognized indigenous peoples; most of them live at the Extreme North, in Siberia and Far East. Among other issues addressed, the Special Rapporteur examined the problems of indigenous people and their influence of these issues on the human rights and fundamental freedoms observance, and explored some positive experience in this matter both at the local and federal levels. During his trip the Special Rapporteur visited Moscow, Khanty-Mansiysk, Krasnoyarsk and Khabarovsk, met a number of high-ranking state officials and also the representatives of indigenous peoples’ communities and civil society organizations which are involved in indigenous peoples’ rights protection.
On October 12, 2009 on the approved agenda of Krasnoyarsk visit of James Anaya, the UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur, was a meeting with the members of the Chamber of the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North of the Civil Assembly of Krasnoyarsk Krai. The meeting was held but it was held in other place and without the members of the Chamber. The responsible “forgot” for some reason to tell the indigenous peoples’ representatives about transfer of the meeting. Nevertheless, James Anaya cancelled the tours and insisted on meeting with them.
