PRESS STATEMENT ON DECLARATION OF INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples supported by Botswana

DITSHWANELO – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights wishes to recognise that Botswana, together with other African countries, voted to support the recently adopted United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on 13 September 2007.

Earlier this year, following objections from the Africa bloc of countries, the initial draft declaration was modified to address the concerns of the Africans. While this declaration is non-binding on member states of the United Nations, including Botswana, it is nevertheless significant. It provides a commonly agreed upon set of principles which can be used as the basis for improving the lives of indigenous peoples around the world, including in Botswana.

This commitment from the Government of Botswana is a clear expression of its recognition of the right of the Basarwa/San to maintain their cultural traditions and identity. It also presents an ideal opportunity for the resumption of negotiations concerning the issues relating to the effective forced relocation of the Basarwa/San from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) and various options for development. The Declaration ‘explicitly encourages harmonious and cooperative relations between States and Indigenous Peoples’ (Louise Arbor, United Nations High Commission for Human Rights)

DITSHWANELO seeks to acknowledge the positive action taken by the Government of Botswana in voting for the adoption of the Declaration. We look forward to a resumption of constructive engagement aimed at reaching a sustainable solution to the CKGR issue.

17 September 2007

Gaborone