Council adopts conclusions on indigenous people

The Council adopted conclusions on indigenous people, recalling that the EU is founded on values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. 

The Council underlines the importance of addressing discrimination and inequalities based on indigenous origin or identity as well as the importance of actions taken to address the threats to and violence against indigenous peoples. The Council also highlights the crucial importance of further enhancing opportunities for dialogue with indigenous peoples at all levels of EU cooperation.

These conclusions follow the joint staff working document “Implementing EU external policy on indigenous peoples” published by the High Representative and the European Commission in October 2016. The joint staff working document identified ways for the EU to strengthen its support to indigenous peoples through existing external policies and financing.