In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples examines the human rights situation of indigenous peoples in Namibia on the basis of research and information gathered, including during a visit to the country from 20 to 28 September 2012.
Indigenous peoples in Namibia have suffered injustices in the past that leave them disadvantaged, to varying degrees, in the present. Since the independence of Namibia in 1990, the Government has made many significant achievements in rolling back some of the destructive legacies left by colonialism and apartheid. However, certain indigenous peoples—including the San, Himba (Ovahimba), Ovazemba, Ovatjimba and Ovatue people—are disadvantaged relative to other groups in the country and have not seen the promises and benefits brought by independence fulfilled for them. These groups have expressed strong desire for greater inclusion in decision-making at all levels, to be able to genuinely set their own priorities for development and to regain or strengthen rights over lands and natural resources, particularly lands to which they retain a cultural attachment.
Especially in recent years, the Government has entered into some innovative arrangements with San tribes through which they have been able to increase their control over management of land areas and derive some substantial benefits. In full consultation with the affected peoples, these kinds of innovative arrangements should be expanded and strengthened, along with greater efforts to ensure San peoples’ security of land tenure, which is still all too vulnerable. In this regard, land resettlement initiatives appear to have positive elements and potential. However, more needs to be done to identify adequate lands for resettlement and to develop land-use planning arrangements, in consultation with the affected San communities, as well as to provide ongoing support for the sustainable development of resettled communities.
Indigenous peoples in Namibia express a sense of exclusion from decision-making processes, at both at the local and national levels, because of their ethnic identities. Recognition of the traditional authorities of indigenous peoples in Namibia is an important step in advancing their rights to self-governance and to maintaining their distinct identities. The State should work to promote the recognition of legitimate authorities selected in accordance with traditional decision-making processes. Steps should also be redoubled to ensure that indigenous peoples or tribes that are ethnically distinct from the majority tribes are adequately represented in legislative and administrative institutions at both the district and national levels.
Namibia has paid a high level of attention to education since independence, and has established important policies regarding mother-tongue and culturally appropriate education. However, the Government should increase efforts to address the troubling educational situation of, in particular, San and Himba groups, whose members continue to lag behind in educational attainment relative to other groups. In addition, concerted efforts are needed to address the structural factors contributing to the health problems suffered by indigenous peoples in the country, including poverty and a lack of access to their traditional lands and natural resources.
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