Abstract:

This report provides the results of a research project by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the African Commission’s Working Group on Indigenous Communities/Populations in Africa (African Commission Working Group), with the Centre for Human Rights (CHR), University of Pretoria, acting as implementing institution. The project examined the extent to which the legal framework of 24 selected African countries impacts on and protects the rights of indigenous peoples. The main aims of the project were twofold: firstly, to contribute to the development of a suitable policy and legal framework for the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples; and secondly, to build the capacity and raise the awareness of relevant actors amongst indigenous peoples and government institutions, in order to improve the promotion and protection of indigenous peoples’ rights in African States. Two types of studies were under taken as part of the research: desk and in-depth studies. Twenty-four countries were surveyed in the study, and ten indepth studies were undertaken. These countries were identified on the basis of criteria discussed and agreed upon at the project launch workshop (in Yaounde, 2006).