José Carlos Morales, a Brunka indigenous (southern Costa Rica), was elected as representative of the Team of Experts on Indigenous People's Rights for the Latin American region.
After a rigorous and highly competitive selection process, five indigenous experts, one for each region of the world, were named as part of this team, which was created on December 14, 2007, by a unanimous vote of the member States of the UN’s Human Rights Council, resolution L.46/Rev.1.
Danza de los Diablitos by Brunka indigenous
This selection is an acknowledgment of the work done by José Carlos throughout his life. He was the first indigenous Costa Rican to complete his university studies and dedicate himself to the cause of local people, making him the indigenous movement’s leader in Costa Rica.
Afterwards, he held a series of positions as the president of the Regional Council of Indigenous People, CORPI, as well as being the first indigenous Latin American to occupy the presidency of the World Council of Indigenous People, and also the only indigenous person to hold a position in the Focal Point of the Decade for Indigenous People in the United Nations.
José Carlos actively participated in the negotiation process of the United Nations Declaration on the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, where he presided over the world enclave of Indigenous People for three years, until his successful and historical nomination during the United Nations General Assembly, on September 13, 2007.
People and Society 
