Indigenous Defenders Face Reprisals and the New Threat of AI, Artificial Intelligence -- U.N. Expert Mechanism Begins in Geneva

 

Chair Valmaine Toki opened the session for the U.N. Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Toki, previous chair, is a law professor at the University of Waikato.

Indigenous Defenders Face Reprisals and the New Threat of AI, Artificial Intelligence: U.N. Expert Mechanism Begins in Geneva

Brenda Norrell, Censored News, July 14, 2025

GENEVA -- The United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples began today. The increased reprisals for those speaking out at the U.N., the destruction of mining, and the new threat of AI, artificial intelligence, using Indigenous knowledge without consent, were priorities. The victories include the new progress of  the Rights of Nature, resulting in legal recognition for rivers and mountains.

The new chair elected today, Anexa Cunningham of Nicaragua, began with a chilling warning about derogatory and inflammatory remarks.

Haudenosaunee Cayuga Chief Deskaheh began the session with a prayer of thanks. President of the Human Rights Council Swiss Ambassador Jürg Lauber followed, expressing concern over the rise in reprisals for those speaking out at the U.N.