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A brief history of the ACHPR Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa
The establishment of the ACHPR Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa in 2000 was a remarkable step forward in the promotion and protection of the human rights of indigenous peoples in Africa. The Working Group has produced a thorough report on the rights of indigenous peoples in Africa, and this document has been adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) as its official conceptualization on the issue of rights of indigenous peoples.
The original mandate of the Working Group was in 2003 extended to a mandate similar to that of a special rapporteur (this mandate was again renewed in 2005 and 2007), and the Working Group has elaborated a comprehensive work programme. Funding has been secured for this work, and implementation of the activities is progressing well.
A brief history of the process leading to the establishment of the Working Group can be summarized as follows:
Indigenous peoples gathering in Tanzania:
In 1999, IWGIA held a conference on the situation of indigenous peoples in Africa in cooperation with PINGOs Forum in Tanzania. This conference recommended that the ACHPR should be encouraged to address the human rights situation of indigenous peoples in Africa, as it had never done so before.
Read more in the Arusha Resolutions (Word)
One of the members of the African Commission - Commissioner Barney Pityana from South Africa - participated in the Tanzania conference and, during the following sessions of the African Commission in Rwanda and Algeria respectively, he brought up the issue of indigenous peoples' rights. Initially, the African Commission tended to reject the issue, as it did not find the term indigenous peoples applicable to African conditions.
The establishment of the Working Group:
During the 28th Ordinary Session in October 2000, the situation of indigenous peoples was on the agenda as a separate item for the first time. Although the issue was initially not positively received, its inclusion in the official agenda was a major step forward. It gave the Commission and indigenous peoples the possibility of pursuing the matter further. During this session, the Resolution on the Rights of Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa providing for the establishment of a Working Group on Indigenous Peoples/Communities was adopted.
Read the resolution passed at the 28th session - English version
Read the resolution passed at the 28th session - French version
Report on indigenous peoples in Africa:
The first task of the Working Group was to produce the report on indigenous peoples in Africa. This involved extensive consultations with African human rights experts and indigenous peoples own organizations. The final report was submitted to and adopted by the ACHPR in 2003. The report, among other things, provides an analysis of the human rights situation of indigenous peoples in Africa seen in the light of the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and includes concrete recommendations to the African Commission. The report was published by the African Commission and IWGIA in 2005.
Click here to read more about the report.
A renewed mandate of the Working Group:
The resolution providing for the adoption of the report on indigenous peoples in Africa also provided for the continuation of the Working group with a renewed and extended mandate that includes to gather information, sensitize members states and other stakeholders, to formulate recommendations to the ACHPR and to cooperate with other international and regional human rights mechanisms.
Read the resolution passed at the 34th session - English version
Read the resolution passed at the 34th session - French version
In November 2005 the mandate was again renewed for a 2 year period.
Read the resolution passed at the 38th session - English version
- and in November, the mandate was renewed again for another two year period:
Read the resolution passed at the 42nd session - English version (pdf)
Ongoing activites:
Based on its new mandate the Working Group has developed a comprehensive work programme including country visits, sensitization seminars, information activities and research. Funding has been secured and implementation of the programme is progressing well.
Information about the activities carried out and planned activities can be found in the Working Group's progress reports presented during each ACHPR session.
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