Distr.
GENERAL
E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.5/2000/WP.3
18 May 2000
ENGLISH
Original: FRENCH
COMMISSION
ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights
Working Group on Minorities Sixth session 22 -26 May
2000
Report
on the Seminar on "Multiculturalism in Africa:
Peaceful and constructive group accommodation in situations
involving minorities and indigenous peoples" held
in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania 13-15 May 2000
Chairperson-Rapporteur
Naomi Kipuri (Kenya )
1. The Seminar on multiculturalism in Africa was held
at the Arusha International Conference Centre in Arusha,
Tanzania from 13 to 15 May 2000. The proposal to hold
seminars on minority and indigenous peoples' issues
in Africa was made by both the Working Group on Minorities
and the Working Group on Indigenous Populations and
endorsed in resolution 1999/20 of the Sub-Commission
on the Promotion and the Protection of Human Rights.
The seminar was organized by the International Centre
for Ethnic Studies (ICES), Colombo, Sri Lanka, at the
request of the Chairpersons of the United Nations Working
Group on Minorities and the Working Group on Indigenous
Populations, with the financial assistance of the Ford
Foundation, New York. The Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International
Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda based in Arusha cooperated
in the preparation and organization of the seminar.
2.
The Chairpersons of the two United Nations Working Groups,
the ICES and the Ford Foundation invited participants
from universities and research institutes, human rights
organizations, minorities' organizations and indigenous
peoples organizations, peoples and communities. The
Office of the High Commissioner informed the Permanent
l\1issions of the African region based in Geneva about
the seminar should they wish to send representatives
to the meeting. The list of participants is contained
in the annex of the present report.
3.
Ms. Tharanga de Silva on behalf of the ICES opened the
seminar by welcoming the participants. She provided
information about her organization which she explained
carried out research on ethnic issues in the South Asia
as well as other regions. Mr Benedict Ole Nangoro on
behalf of the Tanzanian participants to the meeting
welcomed the visitors to his country and invited everyone
to-take part in a traditional Maasai blessing which
is used to bring harmony to discussions and fruitful
conclusions.
4.
Speaking on behalf of the Office of the UN High Commissioner
for Human Rights, Mr. Julian Burger expressed his thanks
to the Arusha Centre and the International Tribunal
for their support of the seminar. He said that he believed
the subject matter of the meeting was relevant to the
work of the Rwanda Tribunal since it sought to understand
better the issues relating to ethnic, minority and indigenous
issues in Africa. He noted the evolution in the United
Nations in relation, in particular, to indigenous peoples
and referred to the decision taken in April 2000 by
the Commission on Human Rights to establish a high level
forum whose membership would be shared by governmental
and indigenous representatives. He also said that he
thought that the results of the deliberations would
interest the organizers of the World Conference against
Racism due to take place in South Africa in September
2001. Mr. Burger identified five themes which he considered
might be addressed as part of the discussions of the
seminar. He hoped that the seminar might lead (a) to
a better understanding of concepts such as minority,
ethnicity, tribe and indigenous peoples and of whether
such terms were helpful in identifying rights or whether
they might give rise to divisions; (b) to a better understanding
of the collective rights of minority and indigenous
peoples in Africa and how they relate to the protection
of language, culture, and land; (c) to an exchange of
information about traditional or informal mechanisms
in Africa to maintain good relations among the diverse
peoples, in particular ideas about customary rights,
reciprocity, sharing and tolerance; ( d) to an exchange
of views about existing formal or State measures to
protect indigenous and minority rights in Africa; and
(e) to provide some guidance to . the two Working Groups
and the Office of the High Commissioner about what they
might do next to promote the rights of indigenous peoples
and minorities in Africa. He concluded by expressing
the hope that more African non- governmental organizations
would take part in the United Nations' work.
5.
Judge Navanethem Pillay, President of the International
Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda welcomed the participants.
She provided some information about the work of the
Tribunal which she said was an example of multiculturalism
in practice since it involved over 700 people from 80
countries. She underlined the importance of the seminar
on multiculturalism in Africa and looked forward to
hearing about the results. She noted that the judges
of the court had themselves had to seek to understand
the term "ethnic" as it was used in the 1948
Genocide Convention and referred to a judgement of the
court in which the term ethnic was defined (The Prosecutor
versus Jean-Paul Akayesu. Case No. ICTR-96-4-T). She
spoke about the different ethnic groups in Rwanda and
the difficulties of distinguishing the groups. She said
that the ethnic issue was used politically in the interests
of a particular group. Judge Pillay said that the tribunal
had made three judgements including one that determined
that rape in the context of Rwanda constituted genocide.
She said that the judgements of the Tribunal had been
cited by the British House of Lords in the Pinochet
case. She concluded by saying that she hoped that African
leaders who had committed gross violations of rights
would not escape justice and that the work of the Tribunal
and the International Criminal Court would serve as
a deterrent.
6.
Mr. Jose Bengoa on behalf of the Working Group on Minorities
thanked Judge Pillay for her statement. He said that
he was participating in the seminar to learn. He said
that in the Latin American region where he was from,
the indigenous question was one of the most important
political and social matters. He also noted that the
Working Group had relatively few participants from Africa
and indeed that much of its work was drawing from the
European experience. He believed that the Working Group
needed to extend its understanding of minority issues
in other regions.
7.
At the conclusion of the opening meeting, participants
were invited to nominate a Chairperson-Rapporteur for
the seminar. The participants invited Ms. Naomi Kipuri
a Maasai from Kenya to act as Chairperson-Rapporteur.
Ms. Kipuri thanked the group. She said that the news
only spoke about the conflicts among peoples in Africa
and never about how in most places they live peacefully
together. She said that the issues under discussion
were complex, especially the concepts of minority and
indigenous peoples in Africa. She considered that colonialism
had left a legacy behind it which impacted upon indigenous
peoples, often dividing them among one or more States.
She invited the participants to brainstorm on the questions
raised by the seminar. The agenda for the meeting covered
the issues of multiculturalism in Africa, international
and regional perspectives, and an exchange of views
on ways and means of strengthening participation of
indigenous peoples and minorities in public life and
policy. The agenda was used as the framework for the
discussions.
8.
During the early part of the seminar, participants provided
information about their peoples and situations. Mr Balkassm
from Morocco spoke about the origins of the Berber people
and the historic process of Arabization and French domination
which had led to the destruction of the Berber or Amazigh
culture. He said that in the late 1960s there had been
a revival led by Amazigh activists who created NGOs
whose aims were to protect the language and promote
greater participation in the cultural and political
life of the country. He noted that it was initially
difficult to begin this process. It was in 1993, with
the participation at the World Conference on Human Rights
at Vienna, that Amazigh organizations first understood
that they had many similarities with indigenous peoples
from other regions. Their work hitherto had centred
on Article 27 of the Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights. From 1993, the Amazigh groups looked for the
protection of their collective rights and recognition
as peoples. Since then, numerous organizations of Amazigh
had been developed. They had adopted the draft UN declaration
on the rights of indigenous peoples as the framework
for their work. He referred to the recent changes in
his country. Whereas, some improvements had been instituted
such as official support for the teaching of the Amazigh
language in schools and time set aside on national television
for Amazigh programmes, it was still insufficient. He
stressed the importance of the customary laws of the
Amazigh people, especially over land, which had been
suppressed during the colonial period and then not reinstated
with independence.
9.
Mr. Steyn Katupa identified himself as a member of the
Himba and Herero peoples and as a representative of
a human rights NGO founded in 1989. He said he was a
member of an indigenous minority in Namibia. He explained
that the first people of Namibia are considered to be
the San people. He referred to the impact of German
colonialism on the Herero people and in particular referred
to a massacre of these peoples in 1904 -1907. He then
referred to a letter that he had written to the Secretary
General of the United Nations in relation to compensation
for genocide against his people. He requested that the
Herero be recognized as an indigenous people in Namibia.
He said that only four out of the fifty traditional
leaders were recognized in Namibia. He further noted
that the Land Act only benefited the dominant groups.
He also referred to the approximately 35,000 San people
living in Namibia and stated that they had lived in
the region for 100,000 years.
10.
Mr. Mariach Lousot representing the Pokot people of
Kenya stated that the experience of indigenous people
in East Africa was similar to other regions of Africa.
He said that his people were viewed as backward and
not given the possibility of controlling their own development.
He said that the constitution did not recognize indigenous
peoples rights and the rights of pastoralists. He explained
that according to the Constitution his people could
not exclude other people from coming onto their land.
He also said that he was concerned that the newspapers
often portrayed his people negatively and in a manner
to say that they were not good neighbours.
11.
Mr. Julius M'Indaaya a member of the Hadzabe people
explained that there were approximately 1,000 ofhis
people living in Tanzania as hunter gatherers. They
were under pressure from farmers, pastoralists and loggers
who were coming on to their traditional hunting area.
This had led to migration of animals on which they depended
and a lack of food. He also said that Hadzabe people
were not allowed to go onto the national parks to hunt
animals and referred to a case in which an NGO had taken
Hadzabe people to court for killing animals. He said
that the Hadzabe had been subsequently given an area
in Ngorongoro where they could continue their way of
life. It was also mentioned that the government was
sometimes trying to settle Hadzabe people in unsuitable
environments turning them into farmers. Furthermore
conservation policies focussed on the protection ofwild
animals because they bring tourist revenue. This was
also detrimental to the Hadzabe people.
12.
Mr. Benon Mugarura from the African Indigenous and Minorities
Peoples Organisation explained that in Rwanda the Batwa
were the third largest ethnic group after the Hutus
and Tutsis. The Batwa were recognized as pygmy people
and were predominantly hunters and gatherers. They were
forced to leave the forest without adequate economic
alternatives. He also referred to the problems people
faced with regard to the lack of primary health care
services and high mortality rates particularly maternal
mortality rates. He referred to the discrimination practiced
against Batwa women which had led to their sexual exploitation.
He also spoke about the fear of HIV/AIDS as a consequence
of such exploitation. He mentioned the situation within
the educational system. Basically there were few who
were able to access higher education and in general
school fees, uniforms and books and other costs were
deterring the Batwa from attending school in general.
He suggested that discrimination faced by the Batwa
people with regard to education be addressed. He spoke
of the need for affirmative action for the Batwa especially
for the young people. He emphasized the need to recognize
the rights of women.
13.
Mr. Benedict Ole Nangoro representing the Community
Research and Development Services considered the concepts
of minorities and indigenous peoples as controversial
in Africa. Before colonialism he said there were many
ethnic nations in Africa. The creation of the nation
state led to the suppression of these ethnic nations.
Tanzania is one nation with 143 different ethnic nations
within it. His understanding of the term was that it
was numerically smaller or a non-dominant group. His
notion of indigenous peoples included the idea of a
territory within a state. He did not consider that indigenous
peoples threatened the integrity of the state. He also
said that as an indigenous Maasai he had different identities:
as a Maasai, a pastoralist, a Tanzanian and a professional.
He said that this identity is dynamic and multi- dimensional.
14.
Mr. Moronga Tanago of the San people of Botswana said
that he represented WIMSA which was an NGO working with
San communities in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa,
Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. He said there were approximately
100,000 San living in Southern Africa. All San had lost
their land and the purpose of WIMSA was to have the
land returned to the San. He explained that the San
language is not used in school and in order to encourage
a renaissance of their language and culture, elders
were being encouraged to pass on their history and knowledge
orally. He said that WIMSA is also bringing different
San communities together and holding workshops to assist
them to improve respect for their rights.
15.
Mr. Alfred Abora Ilenre representing the Ethnic and
Minority Rights Organization of Africa said that the
definition of indigenous and ethnic minority people
had many strands. He believed, however, that African
indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities had a common
world outlook. He said that indigenous and local communities
were among the poorest in Africa and referred to the
Batwa of Burundi and Rwanda, the Bambuti of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, the Baka-Aka in Cameroon, the
Hadzabe and Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania as some of
the most disadvantaged. In Nigeria, where he was from,
he said indigenous and minority communities in the Niger
Delta region such as the Ogoni had lost their rights
over their resources. He added that the artificially-created
centralised nation states of Africa cared little about
indigenous knowledge or culture. Much of indigenous
peoples' knowledge, forest resources and bio-diversity
were being destroyed by governments and multinational
corporations. He welcomed the seminar as a means of
raising awareness of these issues. He suggested that
now that the struggle for national independence had
ended, it was time to look into internal conflicts and
inter- ethnic violence which have created civil wars
and instability on the continent. He believed that the
Organization of African Unity (OAU) should pay greater
attention to indigenous and minority peoples. He concluded
by recommending that all African nation states should
hold national conferences so that the different nationalities,
indigenous peoples and minorities could discuss and
determine the basis for their coexistence and establish
a common morality for their governance under one administration.
16.
The participants flagged a number of different issues
relating to indigenous peoples and minorities in Africa.
The meaning of different terms such as indigenous peoples,
minorities, tribalism, ethnicity were discussed. The
question was raised as to whether Africa has specific
groups of indigenous people or whether all peoples in
Africa are indigenous. One participant suggested that
there are groups within Africa who share many features
with indigenous peoples in other regions in particular
in terms of their lifestyles and close attachments to
the land. In Africa, participants agreed, all indigenous
peoples had limited access to basic services such as
education and health care and to decision making. It
was suggested that the concepts of minorities and indigenous
peoples were often used pragmatically and politically
to assist groups to advance their interests. It was
also stated that indigenous peoples were often accused
by States and dominant groups of reviving tribalism,
when they claimed their rights or identified themselves
as indigenous peoples.
17.
The meeting discussed the definition of minorities.
The question was asked as to whether minorities should
be defined in purely numerical terms or whether groups
that were numerically superior could still be a minority?
Lack of access to political power, decision making,
basic services and resources were identified as crucial
factors in defining a minority. It was stated that democracy
required the involvement of all groups in policy formulation,
legislation and decision making and that minorities
and indigenous peoples had little input into those processes
with the result that the concept of democracy in many
African countries was seriously compromised. Participants
agreed that democratic governance required more than
ensuring elections were conducted on the principle of
"one person, one vote". In that regard, the
development of institutions and mechanisms to support
representation of indigenous peoples and minorities
from the grassroots level through to the national level
was emphasized. Affirmative action to ensure adequate
representation of indigenous peoples and minorities
in the political process was discussed, with the view
being expressed that such measures were not to be perceived
as a favour bestowed but as a right of indigenous peoples
and minorities. Attention was drawn to the reality that
in multicultural and multiethnic States, which prevailed
in the African region, the representation of all groups
in the democratic process had to be respected and ensured.
The view was expressed that while a one-party political
system may undermine such representation, a multiparty
political system permitting for the expression of various
political views within States, including within indigenous
peoples and minorities might be more conducive to the
better realization of a fairer political system and
process. However, multiparty systems still needed to
seek ways of ensuring wider participation of minorities
and indigenous peoples in the political life of their
countries. The under-representation of women in the
political process was a point also raised. It was suggested
that affirmative action for women was one possible solution.
18.
Participants said that minority groups and indigenous
peoples were subject to discrimination and exclusion.
It was recognized that colonialism had left behind a
legacy which still impacts on minorities and indigenous
peoples. The case of indigenous peoples being separated
by national borders was mentioned. The view was also
expressed that the rights of minorities and indigenous
peoples were given little attention in Africa. It was
noted that many States, the media and other groups denied
that questions relating to minorities and indigenous
people were a matter of concern and that their rights
had been and were being violated. Some people said that
many minority groups and indigenous peoples had been
at the receiving end of genocidal practices and had
been deprived of their liberty in situations when they
advocated for their rights. It was explained that few
constitutions or national laws recognized the rights
of minorities or indigenous people. Participants also
noted that national policy was insensitive to the needs
and concerns of those groups. It was further noted that
Governmental bodies had insufficient representation
of minorities and indigenous peoples.
19.
The question of stereotypes and negative perceptions
about indigenous peoples was also raised as another
concern. Many groups tended to be portrayed as primitive,
backward and otherwise socially under-developed. Participants
called for the education system, the media and other
groups to move away from the use of such stereotypes
and project these groups in a positive vein. It was
also stated that such stereotyping had contributed to
building a lack of self-confidence-among indigenous
peoples and minorities. In some cases the press demonized
indigenous peoples and minorities.
20.
Participants discussed the status of women belonging
to indigenous peoples and minorities, and emphasized
that indigenous and minority women suffer the double
disadvantage and discrimination from being women. Concerns
relating to: violence against women, female circumcision,
the right of the girl child to education and child marriage
were raised by the participants. It was stated that
customary law should be interpreted and practiced in
ways that were compatible with international human rights
standards.
21.
Access to education was identified as a major concern
for indigenous peoples and minorities. Both indigenous
peoples and minorities have very poor access to education,
it was stated. Yet education raised a dilemma. How did
one reconcile modern education and the need to have
professional representation with the desire of those
groups to preserve their culture and language? It was
indicated that standardized education often contributed
to the loss of identity and of language skills and to
the suppression of the group' s culture. The need for
a different model of education that would address some
of those concerns was stressed. It was further stated
that education needed to be relevant and also allow
groups the opportunity to develop their culture and
learn their language. Education also needed to be flexible
enough to adapt to the lifestyles of certain groups.
Alternative forms of education were discussed such as'
mobile schools' which accompanied the groups when they
moved and also gave the group the opportunity to foster
their culture and language.
22.
Participants stated that the development policies pursued
by States often paid little attention to the rights
of minorities and indigenous peoples, with policies
being formulated by the dominant groups with little
participation by minority and indigenous peoples. It
was also noted that the lifestyles of minority and indigenous
peoples were perceived as being incompatible with the
concept of development. Participants stated that there
was a need for development policies to be compatible
with and to promote the rights of those groups. It was
also noted that one of the challenges was to convince
governments that the protection of minority rights and
the rights of indigenous peoples was not incompatible
with the processes of development.
23.
Another major concern identified by participants was
access to land. Land was generally vital to the lifestyles
and livelihoods of many indigenous people and minority
groups. A number of issues were raised in relation to
land. Firstly, it was noted that many groups had been
displaced from their traditional areas to create national
parks, protected forests and other conservation areas;
and that such displacement was of special concern to
groups that were hunters and gatherers. Secondly, many
groups were evicted from their land when mineral and
other resources were found in those areas and extracted.
Thirdly, the creation of artificial boundaries had also
divided many minority and indigenous peoples and affected
their freedom of movement. It was further indicated
that freedom of movement was often hampered because
many of the persons belonging to "such groups did
not possess the necessary documentation to cross borders.
Fourthly, it was noted that prior to colonialism the
collective ownership of land was the dominant feature.
While, during colonialism the customary laws of the
indigenous peoples and minority groups were often lost
and following independence many of the states continued
with the colonial polices and laws. That had resulted
in the continued deprivation of groups of their customary
land rights. Participants indicated that since many
of the customary land rights were not recognized, much
of the land was now viewed as belonging to the State,
enabling the dominant groups to control the use and
appropriation of land and the resources that the land
generated.
24.
Participants explained that the loss of traditional
systems of livelihood had affected levels of health
among indigenous peoples and minority groups and had
led to an increase of poverty among them. In addition,
many of those groups had very poor access to health
care, and health services and medicines. Several participants
referred to the scourge of HIV/AIDS in Africa. The virus
was seen in many countries of Africa as a national disaster
and was now affecting or threatening to affect indigenous
peoples and minorities. In general, it was noted that
information about HIV/AIDS was available in urban areas
but far less available in the countryside. The lack
of health education on HIV/AIDS was noted in most indigenous
communities. Sometimes when posters, documents or other
advice were prepared, they were badly translated into
indigenous and minority languages, culturally inappropriate
or unsuitable in communities with high illiteracy rates.
The representative of the Hadzabe stated that his people
were vulnerable to HIVIAIDS because of increased contact
with outsiders. He called upon the United Nations, the
Government and NGOs to help to prevent the disease reaching
their people.
25.
Participants expressed the view that in many cases the
identities of minorities and indigenous people in Africa
had been suppressed by States in order to create an
overarching national identity. They also noted that
education had been used by nation states in their attempt
to create a single identity and that the histories and
identities of minorities and indigenous peoples were
suppressed in school curricula.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
26.
The participants expressed thanks to the International
Centre for Ethnic Studies and the United Nations for
organizing and the Ford Foundation for funding the seminar.
27.
The participants shared information and views about
the situation of indigenous peoples and minorities in
Africa. In general, it was noted that indigenous peoples
and minorities were disadvantaged and marginalized and
faced discrimination in African states.
28.
The concepts of indigenous peoples and minorities were
discussed. It was felt that the terms were useful in
Africa, in particular since they were based on the principle
of self-identification. The terms were acknowledged
to be complex and misunderstood in the region, often
being seen as threatening the integrity of states. It
was suggested that indigenous peoples and minorities
could be understood to be peoples with specific identities,
histories and cultures. Such peoples could be characterized
as non-dominant, vulnerable and disadvantaged.
29.
In differentiating between indigenous peoples and minorities
it was suggested that indigenous peoples had an attachment
to a particular land or territory and/or had a way of
life ( e.g., pastoralists, hunter/gathers, nomadic or
other) which was threatened by current state policy
and affected by the shrinking of their traditional resource
base.
30.
Participants recognized that one of the legacies of
colonialism was to divide indigenous peoples so that
certain groups were living in more than one country,
making them a minority. It was noted that the customary
laws and lands of indigenous peoples were not recognized
by colonial governments. Newly independent Africa had
not always reinstated these customary rights.
31.
Participants recommended that African states recognize
all indigenous and minority peoples. This should include
recognition in the constitution of the dignity and diversity
of peoples within the state. Recognition of indigenous
or minority identity was considered a first step in
the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples and
minorities.
32.
The participants observed that conflicts and rivalries
among nationalities, minority ethnic groups and indigenous
peoples which were latent under colonial rule in the
African nation states have started to come to the surface
in post-independence Africa. These conflicts have created
conditions of civil wars, coups and counter coups in
many States. The participants believe that the provision
in the Charter of the Organization of African Unity
which prevents it from intervening in time of internal
conflicts in member States is obsolete and called upon
the OAU to review the Charter in this regard and specifically
to take into consideration the concerns of indigenous
peoples and minorities.
33.
Participants recommended that indigenous peoples and
minorities should have equal access to education, health
and other basic services. Educational and health polices
should be sensitive to the needs and cultures of the
peoples concerned. In addition, affirmative action should
be initiated to enhance minorities and indigenous peoples'
access to education, health and other services as well
as to key productive resources. Particular attention
should be paid to assisting all indigenous peoples and
minorities in Africa combat HIV/AIDS.
34.
The participants expressed concern about the present
situation of the Hadzabe people in Tanzania and recommended
that measures be taken by the appropriate authorities
supported by the UN and NGOs to ensure that they had
access to appropriate education and health care. It
was believed that, in view of the small number of Hadzabe,
urgent measures were needed to protect them from HIV/AIDS.
35.
The participants recommended that indigenous peoples
and minorities be consulted when development polices
which affect them are formulated and implemented. Indigenous
peoples and minorities should share in the benefits
of development that take place in their traditional
territories. Indigenous peoples and minorities should
have the right to reject projects that threaten their
livelihoods and identities.
36.
The participants recommended that indigenous peoples
and minorities should have equal access to political
structures, processes and public institutions.
37.
The participants requested the United Nations, the International
Centre for Ethnic Studies and the Ford Foundation to
hold further seminars on the subject with a view to
promoting dialogue and discussion. Future seminars would
benefit from the participation of African governments,
NGOs, indigenous peoples, minorities and the academic
community to further understanding of the issues about
indigenous and minority issues in Africa.
38.
The participants recommended that African states consider
ratifying ILO Convention No 169 on indigenous and tribal
peoples in independent countries.
39.
Participants requested the organizers to submit the
present report to the UN Working Groups on Minorities
as a working paper and transmit copies to the Working
Group on Indigenous Populations as well as the next
preparatory meeting for the World Conference against
Racism.
40.
The participants encouraged indigenous peoples and minorities
to increase their participation at the two UN Working
Groups. They also requested the UN to consider establishing
a fund to assist representatives of minorities to attend
the Working Group on Minorities as has been established
for the Working Group on Indigenous Populations.
Annex 1
List of participants and observers
Arid
Lands Institute, Kenya
Member of the United Nations Board of Trustees of the
Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations
Ms. Naomi Kipuri
Community
Research & Development Services (CORDS), Tanzania
Mr. Benedict Ole Nangoro
African
Indigenous and Minority Peoples Organization, Rwanda
Rev. Benon Mugarura
National
Society for Human Rights, Namibia
Mr. Steyn Katupa
Working
Group of Indigenous Minorities of Southern Africa (WIMSA),
Botswana
Mr. Moronga Tanago
Association Nouvelle pour la Culture et des Arts Populaires
, Morocco
Mr. Hassan Id Balkassm
Ethnic
Minority and Indigenous Rights Organization of Africa
(EMIROAF), Nigeria
Mr. Alfred Ilenre
Tomwo
Pastoralists Development Initiatiatives, Kenya
Mr. Mariach Lousot
Hadzabe
People, Tanzania
Shakwa Mahadza
Saben Hashi
Apati Dofu
Yaeda
Chini Development Program, Tanzania
Mr. Julius M'Indaya
Ms. Abena McKenzie
African
Dialogue Centre for Conflict Management and Development
Issues, Tanzania
Mr. Kaunda Vyoseena
Mukulat
Advancement Association (MAA), Tanzania
Mr. Solomon Lengaram
Organization
of Indigenous Peoples of Africa, Tanzania
Mr. Edward Porokwa
Observers
Member
of the United Nations' Working Group on Minorities and
of the
Sub-Commission on Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights, Mr. Jose Bengoa, Chile
International
Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES), Colombo, Sri Lanka
Ms. Tharanga de Silva
Dr. Mario Gomez
Ms. Minari Fernando
Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Geneva
Mr. Julian Burger
Ms. Fiona Blyth-Kubota
Norwegian
Institute of Human Rights, Norway
Mr. Bard-Anders Andreassen
Mr. Zhou Yong
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