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Report of the ACHPR Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa An important step It was a major breakthrough for indigenous rights advocates in Africa when the African Commission (ACHPR) at its 34th Ordinary Session in November 2003 adopted the report of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities and passed a resolution on the adoption of the report and the forthcoming work of the ACHPR relating to indigenous populations. Read the Resolution of November 2003 - in English Read the Resolution of November 2003 - in French The report: The report contains both an analysis of criteria for identifying indigenous peoples in Africa, an analysis of their human rights situation seen in the light of the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and an analysis of the African Charter/jurisprudence and its potential for promoting and protecting the human rights of indigenous peoples in Africa. The report also includes concrete recommendations to the African Commission. By adopting this report and its findings and recommendations, the ACHPR has sent a clear signal that they recognize the existence of indigenous populations in Africa, that indigenous populations suffer from serious human rights violations (often including the violation of fundamental collective rights), that the African Charter should be used to protect and promote the human rights of indigenous populations, and that the ACHPR will actively work on the issue. Download the report - English (PDF) Download the report - French (PDF) An advocacy tool for promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples in Africa: The report was published by the African Commission and IWGIA in 2005 and is distributed widely to Member States and policy makers in the international development arena. Thus, the report will hopefully serve as an important advocacy tool to be used by the African Commission itself as well as by indigenous organizations and others in the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples in Africa.