GUIDELINES FOR
IMPLEMENTING THE
RIGHT OF INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES TO FREE,
PRIOR AND INFORMED
CONSENT
“Given that the right of Indigenous Peoples to free, prior and informed consent is recognized and affirmed in the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, questions have arisen concerning its implementation.
In the light of such fundamental concerns, the Permanent Forum has decided to prioritize free, prior and informed
consent. Therefore, in the context of future work, the Permanent Forum will explore the potential for the development
of guidelines on the implementation of free, prior and informed consent. The Permanent Forum will endeavour to
do so in collaboration with the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Special Rapporteur
on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, who are specifically mandated to address the human rights of Indigenous Peoples.
This initiative, as well as those referred to immediately below, are fully consistent with articles 38, 41 and 42 of the
Declaration.” This is the 37th recommendation of the Tenth Session of United Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Issues. 2011.