EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Regional Sensitization Seminar on the Rights of Indigenous Populations/Communities in Central and East Africa was held from 22 to 25 August 2011 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. The Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa chose Congo Brazzaville as the venue to hold the Seminar with a view to giving due recognition to the efforts of the government in promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous people in the country, particularly the enactment of a law on indigenous peoples’ rights in February 2011, which is the first of its kind in Africa.
The Seminar brought together participants from indigenous communities, civil society organizations, States Parties, United Nations Agencies, the International Labour Organization, National Human Rights Institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from Central and East Africa, academics, journalists and members of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa (WGIP).
The objectives of the Seminar were as follows:
• Sensitize key stakeholders in Central and East Africa about the African Commission’s approach to promoting the rights of indigenous populations/communities;
• Identify the main problems faced by indigenous populations/communities in Central and East Africa;
• Identify the challenges and problems faced by Central and East African countries in dealing with indigenous populations/communities;
• Develop strategies for a better collaboration between the African Commission, Central and East African governments, civil society organizations and indigenous communities themselves;
• Identify and share good practices from the Central and East Africa sub-regions.
Various presentations were made on positive developments and challenges that indigenous peoples in Central and East Africa are facing, and on the international and regional legal and institutional frameworks available for the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples.
