San rights study completed

THE African Commission’s Working Group on Indigenous Populations and Communities in Africa has finished its study with San people in Namibia.

The working group was invited to carry out its mission by the Namibian government at the request of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The small delegation comprised of Commissioner Andrew Chigovera, a member of the African Commission who acted as Chairperson for the working group, and Dr Naomi Kipuri.The mission was supported by Robert Eno, Legal Officer of the Secretariat of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights.The purpose of the visit was to learn about the human rights situation of the indigenous communities and engage government and other stakeholders on how the situation could be improved, if necessary.At a press conference in Windhoek on Friday, Chigovera said that because of time constraints the delegation was not able to meet Himba people nor visit as many San communities as they had hoped.However, in discussions with officials the delegation raised issues on behalf of both peoples – the only indigenous groups in Namibia to be under the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ mandate.A report will be prepared on the mission, which was carried out between July 26 and August 5.Data collection was done in form of discussions with a number of indigenous people as well as officials, the result of which Chigovera described as fruitful.Issues covered included public life, education, economical situation and social and cultural rights, and what is done and is going to be done for the problems that historically marginalised people face.The aim is to seek ways to uplift the living standards of the groups to the level of other Namibians.The San communities visited were in Caprivi, Kavango, Otjozondjupa and Omaheke.The delegation met the Khwe communities from Kongola to Divundu, the Ju/’hoansi in the Nyae Nyae Conservancy, the !Kung in the N‡a Jaqna Conservancy and the Ju/’hoansi in the Resettlement Project at Skoonheid farm.One of the people they met with was JK Ui /o/oo, the only MP with a San heritage.According to Chigovera, the communities were able to interact freely with the delegation, and made frank and sometimes emotional contributions.The report is scheduled to be ready by November, and will then be given to the Namibian Government.It will be introduced to the African Union in February next year and made a public document.The African Commission has been carrying out similar studies about indigenous peoples’ situation in a number of other African countries starting early this year.The small delegation comprised of Commissioner Andrew Chigovera, a member of the African Commission who acted as Chairperson for the working group, and Dr Naomi Kipuri.The mission was supported by Robert Eno, Legal Officer of the Secretariat of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights.The purpose of the visit was to learn about the human rights situation of the indigenous communities and engage government and other stakeholders on how the situation could be improved, if necessary.At a press conference in Windhoek on Friday, Chigovera said that because of time constraints the delegation was not able to meet Himba people nor visit as many San communities as they had hoped.However, in discussions with officials the delegation raised issues on behalf of both peoples – the only indigenous groups in Namibia to be under the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ mandate.A report will be prepared on the mission, which was carried out between July 26 and August 5.Data collection was done in form of discussions with a number of indigenous people as well as officials, the result of which Chigovera described as fruitful.Issues covered included public life, education, economical situation and social and cultural rights, and what is done and is going to be done for the problems that historically marginalised people face.The aim is to seek ways to uplift the living standards of the groups to the level of other Namibians.The San communities visited were in Caprivi, Kavango, Otjozondjupa and Omaheke.The delegation met the Khwe communities from Kongola to Divundu, the Ju/’hoansi in the Nyae Nyae Conservancy, the !Kung in the N‡a Jaqna Conservancy and the Ju/’hoansi in the Resettlement Project at Skoonheid farm.One of the people they met with was JK Ui /o/oo, the only MP with a San heritage.According to Chigovera, the communities were able to interact freely with the delegation, and made frank and sometimes emotional contributions.The report is scheduled to be ready by November, and will then be given to the Namibian Government.It will be introduced to the African Union in February next year and made a public document.The African Commission has been carrying out similar studies about indigenous peoples’ situation in a number of other African countries starting early this year.