EMRIP19: Agenda Item 10 – Preparing for 20 Years of UNDRIP

19th Session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP)

13 to 17 July 2026, Geneva, Switzerland

Joint Statement on

Agenda Item 10: Preparing for 20 Years of UNDRIP

Presented by: Vaming Xiong, on behalf of Asia Indigenous Peoples Caucus

Thank you, Chair.

The Asia Indigenous Peoples Caucus, thanks to the Expert Mechanisms on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for the opportunity to reflect on the preparation for twenty years of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

UNDRIP has contributed to the constitutional reforms, legislative developments, judicial decisions, and strengthened recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ collective rights. For example, the Orang Asli Malaysia Federal Court decision where the UNDRIP was used as a soft law.

However, in the Asia region, Indigenous human rights defenders, women, and youth continue to face intimidation, criminalization, arbitrary detention, violence, and even killings for defending their lands and territories. Developments projects often proceed without respecting FPIC, resulting in forced eviction, environmental degradation, violations of our cultural, spiritual, and economic rights.

We call upon the EMRIP and Member States to:

• Ensure the full implementation of the UNDRIP through laws, policies, and institutional reforms developed in partnership with Indigenous Peoples.
• Respect and implement the right to self determination and free, prior and informed consent in all decisions affecting Indigenous Peoples.
• Protect Indigenous Peoples human rights defenders from criminalization, reprisals, and violence.
• Ensure full and effective participation of Indigenous women, youth, persons with disabilities, and elders in all decision making processes.

Finally, we encourage member States in Asia to adopt legal frameworks on Indigenous Peoples rights in line with the UNDRIP according to the international framework.

Thank you, Chair.

Click here to download the full statement on EMRIP19 Item 10