Written question asked by Lord Avebury (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Triesman (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 June 2005.

Indigenous Peoples

Question: Whether the United Nations' continuing role in promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous people is part of customary international law; and whether they will ask the Secretary-General to discuss with the government of Botswana the proposed removal of references to the Bushmen from their constitution.

Answer: By Article 55 of its charter, the United Nations has a mandate to promote universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion. This includes people belonging to indigenous groups. The British High Commission in Botswana regularly discusses the Basarwa issue with the government and other interested parties. High Commission staff have visited the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) on three occasions over the past two years. My honourable friend the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Chris Mullin) also discussed the issue with interested parties, including President Mogae, when they met in Abuja in December 2003. We believe that the Botswana Government's removal of all references to ethnicity in the constitution has been handled through parliamentary procedures in line with constitutional proprieties and as such does not need to be taken forward by the Secretary-General.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 78; 672 c67-8WA
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Constitutions Human rights Ethnic groups International law Protection United Nations Botswana