BANJUL, 19 January 2024 – The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Commission), through its Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities and Minorities in Africa (WGIPM) led by Honourable Commissioner, Dr Litha Musyimi-Ogana, follows with grave concern the reports on the ongoing violence and eviction of members of the Batwa indigenous population in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (PNKB) in the DRC.
The African Commission, through the WGIPM, has initiated an urgent letter of appeal to His Excellency President Tshisekedi and his Government, calling for cessation of the violence and evictions in order to limit the irreparable damage that may be caused to the lives, livelihoods, bodily integrity, family life, safety and security of vulnerable members of indigenous communities including women, children and the elderly in the PNKB.
The African Commission appeals for the cooperation of the Government of the DRC on the specific measures called for in the urgent letter of appeal and avails itself to supporting the Government in this regard.
