Minority Rights Group International and Environnement Ressources Naturelles et Développement (on behalf of the Batwa of Kahuzi-Biega National Park, DRC) v Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (Communication 588/15) [2022] ACHPR 15 (13 May 2022)

Communication588/15MinorityRightsGroupInternationalandEnvironnementRessourcesNaturellesetDéveloppement(onbehalfoftheBatwaofKahuzi-BiegaNationalPark,DRC)v. DemocraticRepublicofCongo(DRC)SummaryoftheComplaint1. TheSecretariatoftheAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'Rights(theSecretariat)receivedon7November2015,acomplaintfiledbyMinorityRightsGroupInternational(MRG)andEnvironnementRessourcesNaturellesetDéveloppement(ERNB)(theComplainants),onbehalfoftheBatwaofKahuzi-BiegaNationalPark(theVictims).2. TheComplaintwasfiledagainsttheStateoftheDemocraticRepublicofCongo(hereinafterreferredtoastheRespondentStateortheDRC),aStatethatratifiedtheAfricanCharteronHumanandPeoples'Rights(theAfricanCharter)on23July1987.3. FromtheComplainants'presentation,itisunderstoodthat:TheBatwaoftheKahuzi-BiegaNationalParkareahunter-gatherercommunitywhohavelivedintheforestsoftheKahuziMountainsforcenturies. Theirlivelihoods,homes,traditionalandculturalwayoflife,andwell-beingdependontheseforestsandlands. Theyarerecognizedbyotherethnicgroupsintheregionastheoriginalinhabitantsoftheforests.4. TheyallegethatinJuly1937,theBelgiancolonialadministratorhadbyDecreeNo.81/AGRIestablished"theMountKahuziZoologicalandForestryReserve"asmallnaturalreservebelongingtotheCongoleseState. ButtheBatwasremainedontheselandsandoccupiedthemcontinuallyandpractisedtheirtraditionallifestyles. In1957,theKahuzireservewasextendedtoincludetheBiegaforest,thuscoveringatotallandsurfaceareaof600km2.5. InNovember1970,LawNo.70-316transformedthezoneintoaNationalParkcode-named"theKaliuzi-BiegnNationalPark". ThischangeofnamecamealongwithameasureinterdictinganyhumanpresenceintheParkbasedonaproposalbytheCongoleseInstitutefortheConservationofNature(ICCN). Thisproposalwassupposedlyintendedtoprotectgorillasintheeasternlowaltituderegion. TheBatwafamilieswhowereusingthelandsaccordingtotheirtraditionalcustomarywaysoflife,wereexpelledfromtheforestwithoutanyappropriatemeansofconsultation,norweretheyadequatelycompensatedbeforeoraftertheevictionsmetedouttothem.1§!,r,_....5\. I/I.g..!\L.;..,f;,.14'.f 6. InJuly1975,theCongolesegovernmentpassedanotherlaw,No.75-238,whichextendedtheareaoftheNationalParkfrom60,000to600,000hectares,furtherencroachingontheancestrallandsoftheBatwacommunities,resultinginanincreaseinevictions,bringingthenumberofevictedfamiliessince1970toabout6,000,withoutanycompensationorpriorconsultation. Thoughothercommunitieswerealsoevicted,theyrefusedtoleaveandtodatetheystillliveontheirlandsintheforestsandusesomepartsforagriculturalactivities.7. Accordingtothem,thesituationoftheBatwaswhoareavulnerableandmarginalisedcommunityasaresultofsomesocietalprejudicesagainstthem,hasworsenedconsiderablyduetotheevictionsandtheiraftereffectswhichhavedisruptedtheirharmoniousexistencewithnature. Currently,theyliveinabjectpovertyinmakeshiftcampsonthefringesoftheforestsofotherBantuvillages. Theyhavebeendeprivedoftheirlandsandcannolongerpracticetheirtraditionalwayoflifenorevenhaveaccesstothemostbasicsocialservices. Furthermore,theyaresufferingfromahighrateofmalnutrition,mortalityandvariousdiseases. Additionally,thefactthattheyliveamongothermajoritygroupswithoutthesamecultureorlifestylemakesthemvictimsofadeep-seateddiscriminationintermsofbehaviorsandattitudes.8. Inordertorecovertheirlands,theBatwacommunitieshaveinitiatedalegalactionagainsttheCongolesegovernmentandtheICCNattheDistrictCourtinUvira,SouthKivu(TGI),withthesupportofERND,byallegingtheviolationofLawNo.77-001of22February,1977,governingexpropriationforapublicpurpose,thusculminatingintheirarbitraryevictionfromtheirlandswithoutcompensationwhichisaviolationofArticles34(1),(2)and(4)oftheConstitutionoftheDRConexpropriation.9. TheComplainantsallegethattheyalsoreliedonmanyprovisionsofinternationallaw,inparticular,theAfricanCharteronHumanandPeoples'Rights(theAfricanCharter)toclaimthespecificrightsofthevictims,includingtherighttolife;therighttopracticeone'scultureandreligion,therighttofreelydisposeoftheirnaturalwealthandresources,therightnottosufferanydiscrimination,aswellastherighttohealthandeducation.10. TheDistrictCourtgaveajudgmenton28February2011,inwhichitdeclaredthatthecaseborderedontheissueoftheconstitutionalityofthelawsestablishingandextendingtheboundariesofthePark(LawsNo.70-316of30November1970andNo.75-238of22]uly1975). ItthereforeruledthatitlackedjurisdictiontohearthecaseonitsmeritsanddismissedtheComplaint.2 11. TheBatwasappealedthejudgmentattheCourtofAppealofBukavubyarguing,interalia,thattheoriginalapplicationneverrequestedthejudgeoftheDistrictCourttoruleonanyissueofconstitutionality,andthatbysodoing,thecourtruledultrapefita. NotwithstandingtherelevanceoftheargumentsputforwardandsubmittedonbehalfoftheBatwavictims,theCourtofAppealconfirmedthejudgmentoftheDistrictCourtinallitsprovisionsanddismissedtheappeal.12. InDecember2013,theBatwaslodgedanappealincassationwiththeSupremeCourtofKinshasa,byalleging,amongothers,thatthejudgesofthetwolowercourtshaddistortedthemeaningofArticle34oftheConstitutionbyviewingitastheobjectoftheapplicationandnotasthesourceoftherelevantlawandassertingthatthedisputeborderedonanissueofunconstitutionality. Todate,thecaseisstillpendingattheSupremeCourtandnoprogresshasbeenmadeinrecentyears. TheComplaint:13. TheComplainantsallegethatthefollowingArticlesoftheAfricanCharterhavebeenviolated:1,2,4,8,14,16,17,21,22and24. Prayers:14. TheComplainantsarerequestingtheCommissionto:C.a. GrantprovisionalmeasurestotheBatwacommunityoftheKahuzi-BiegaParkasameansofprotectingthecommunityfromanypossibleactsofharassmentandintimidationthatmayarisefromtheseizureoftheCommission;b. DeclaretheCommunicationadmissible;EstablishthatthefactsconstituteaviolationbytheRespondentStateofthefollowingarticlesoftheAfricanCharter:1,2,4,8,14,16,17,21,22and24. TheProcedure15. TheComplaintwasreceivedbytheSecretariatoftheAfricanCommissionon2November,2015andtheSecretariatacknowledgedreceipton21january,2016.16. Atthe19*ExtraordinarySessionheldfrom16to26February,2016inBanjul,TheGambia,theAfricanCommissionconsideredtheCommunicationanddecidedto3 beseizedofit. TheCommissionhoweverdecidednottograntprovisionalmeasurestotheRespondentStatesincetherewasnoconclusiveevidencetowarrantsuchmeasures.17. Byletterdated3March,2016,theSecretariatinformedtheComplainantsandtheRespondentStateabouttheseizureoftheCommunicationandsimultaneouslysentacopyofthepetitionoftheComplainantstotheRespondentStateandurgedtheComplainantstosubmittheirargumentsonadmissibilitywithintwo(2)monthsfromthedateofnotification.18. On29April2016,theSecretariatreceivedtheargumentsoftheCornplainantswhichwerethenforwardedtotheRespondentStateandthelatterwasurgedtopresentitsargumentswithintwo(2)monthsfromthedateofnotification.19. Atitssubsequentsessions,theCommissionpostponedtheconsiderationoftheCommunicationseveraltimes,pendingreceiptoftheRespondentState'sarguments,whichwereneversubmitteddespitenumerousreminders,namelythrough:(ACHPR/COMM/588/15/RDC/319/16;ACHFR/COMM/588/15/RDC/783/16;ACHPR/COMM/588/15/RDC/913/16;ACHPR/COMM/588/15/RDC:/1183/16;ACHPR/COMM/588/15/RDC/1888/16;ACHPR/COMM/588/15/RDC;/75/17;ACHPR/COMM/588/15/RDC/219/18;etACHPR/COMM/588/15/RDC/1766/18).20. SincetheRespondentStatehadgonebeyondtheprescribedtimeframeandfailedtomakeanyrequestforextensionofthedeadline,theCommissioninstructedtheSecretariattoprepareadecisiononadmissibilitybydefaultafterthePartieshadbeendulyinformed.21. Duringits64111OrdinarySessionheldfrom24Aprilto14May2019inSharm-EI-Sheikh,ArabRepublicofEgypt,theCommissionexaminedtheCommunicationanddeclareditadmissible.22. Byletterandnoteverbalsdated23May2019,theSecretariatinformedthepartiesofthedecisiononadmissibilityandrequestedtheComplainantstosubmittheirargumentsonthemeritswithinsixty(60)daysinaccordancewithRule108(1)oftheCommission'sRulesofProcedure2010inforceatthatdate.23. On30May2019,theComplainantsrequestedanextensionofthedeadlineforsubmissionoftheirargumentsonthemeritswhichwasgrantedbyletterdated11June2019.e1"h,. E. U4 24. On12September2019,theComplainantssubmittedtheirargumentsonthemeritswhichweretransmittedtotheStatebynoteverbaldated11October2019.25. ByLettersandNoteVerbalesdated3Januaryand12March2020,theSecretariatinformedthepartiesthattheCommissionhaddecidedtodeferitsdecisiononthemeritstoalaterSessionpendingtheState'ssubmissionswhichweredueon7April2020.26. TheStatehasyettosubmititsargumentsandhasnotrequestedanyadditionaltimeforsubmission.27. Afterthe68mOrdinarySessionheldvirtuallyfrom14Aprilto4May2021,thepartiestotheCommunicationwereinformedbyletterandNoteVerbals,thattheCommissionhasdecidedtodraftadecisiononthebasisoftheelementsinitspossession,giventhattheRespondentStatehasnotyetsubmitteditsargumentsonthemerits. THELAWAdmissibilityTheComplainants'submissionsonAdmissibility:28. TheComplainantsmaintainthattheCommunicationmustbedeclaredadmissibleongroundsthatitfulfilsalltherequirementsstipulatedunderArticle56oftheAfricanCharter.. II29. Attheoutset,theyemphasisthatitisimportanttonotethatfortheCommissiontobeseizedoftheCommunication,theComplainantsmustpresentacasethatmeetstheprinmfncieconditionssetoutinArticle56(5).!30. TheComplainantsmaintainthatthedomesticremediesarenotavailable,effectiveorsufficientsincetherearenosufficientdomesticremediesinthe'Communication71mRcnconlreAfricaincpourlaDefensedesDrossdol'Hommev/Zambia(I996)ACHPRpara10;Communication368/09-AbdelHadi,AliRudi]andothersv/RepublicofSudan(2013)ACHPRpara44:Communication413/12DavidMendes(representedbl/theUniversityofPretoriaIluniimRightsCvutre)v/Angola(2013)ACHPRPara52;Communication155/96SocialEconomicRiglrts../\¢rlionCenln:(SERAC)andCentroforEconomicandSocialRights(CESR)v/Nigeria(2001)ACHPRpara.38....5\I.:. U.. J. J DRCtoaddressthesituationoftheBatwasbywayofreparationoftheviolationsandspecificharmsallegedintheCommunication.31. TheyfurtherallegethatthenationalproceduresinitiatedbytheBatwaswithtribunalsandCourtsintheDRC,includingseizureoftheSupremeCourt,havebeenundulyprolongedformorethaneightyears,whichrepresentsunduedelayinthelightoftheCommission'sjurisprudentialpractice,includingthoseoftheInter-AmericanCourtofHumanRights(CIDH)andtheEuropeanCommissiononHumanRights(CEDH). TheyallegethatuponseizureoftheCommissioninNovember2015,nodatehadbeensetforthehearingwhereastheSupremeCourthadbeenseizedon20December,2013.32. TheComplainantsalsoallegethatthereisnulawprotectinggroupandindividualrightsofBatwasregardingtheirancestrallandsandtheirresources. Theyfurthermaintainthatthereisnoprocedurefordemarcationoflandsnorforgrantingtitlestoindigenouscommunitiesonlandstheyoccupyanddependonfortheirlivelihoodandsurvival. Furthermore,intheeventofexpropriation,theredoesnotexistanyeffectivelegalmechanismfortherestitutionoftraditionallandsofindigenouscommunities. Asaresult,theonlypotentialmeansofredressopentotheBamasarecivilremediesgenerallyavailabletopersonswhoopposeunjustifiedevictionpursuanttotheOrdinance-Lawgoverningexpropriationoflandsforapublicpurpose. ThesecivilredressmechanismsarenotadequatenorsufficienttodealspecificviolationscontainedintheComplaintsincetheydonotprovidethepossibilityforBatwastoascertaintheirrightstotheirancestrallands.33. TheComplainantsarguethatArticle56(5)doesnotrequirethemtoexhaustalldiscretionaryand/ornon-judicialremedies?Insupportoftheirargument,theypointoutthattheCommissionclearlyestablishedinitsCommunication375/09-PriscillaNjeriEclmria(representedbytheFederationofWomenLaw:/ersofKem/aandtheInternationalCentrefortheProtectionofHumanRights)v. Kenyathat<<thedomesticremed/referencedinArticle56(5)inziolvesIIreniedi/ofthe.judiciallll('llSlllUsoughthumthecourts"¥l'lll(llslznllllolbesubjecttothediscretionarypowerofapublicnutlzorih/"[....]Onlymrlndnton/domesticremediesmustbeexlmusterl>>~*Consequently,theBatwaarenotrequiredtoexhaustall2Communication231/99ArvornlsSansFronfirirrs(pourltvorujih:IrsHzzvlurlpuirryv).yRummli(2(X)0)CAD!IFparas2223;Communication268/03Hfesanmit/Niguriu(2005)CADIIPpara42,SeealsoCommunication211/98Au'tcdB. Cudjoc:JGhana(1999)CAD!IPPara.14&Communication313/05KvnnelhGood(yRepublico./Botswana(2010)CADIIPPara88:ICommunication375/09PriscillaNjnriEclmria(representedbytheFederationofWomenLawyersofKenyaandill'InternationalCenfrcfortheProtectionofHumanRights)v/Kenya(201I)para,536 non-judicialordiscretionarydomesticremediesthatmayormaynotbeavailableintheDRC.34. Furthermore,andnotwithstandingtheaforementionedarguments,thecircumstancesofthispresentcasearesuchthattherequirementsofArticle56(5)oftheChartermustbedeemedtohavebeencompliedwith. Infact,accordingtotheComplainants,therequirementofhavingexhausteddomesticremediesisbasedontheprincipleaccordingtowhichtheRespondentStatemustbeawareofanyallegedviolationinordertohavetheopportunitytoprovideremedieswithintheconfinesofitsownnationallegalsystembeforetheyaresubmittedtotheCommission. AccordingtotheComplainants,theRespondentStatehadknowledgeofthecontentoftheirCommunicationfordecadesandhadnotreacted. Consequently,therationaleforArticle56(5)hasbeenfullycompliedwith.35. WithrespecttotherequirementofArticle56(6),theComplainantssubmitthatthisrequirementismetsincetheCommunicationwasfiledwiththeCommission"withinareasonableperiodoftime"afterthedateonwhichthedomesticproceduresinitiatedbytheComplainants(iftheyweretobeconsideredas"domesticremedies")weretobedeemedtohavebeenexhaustedintermsofwhatconstitutesa"reasonableperiodoftimewithinwhichtoexhaustdomesticremedies"underArticle56(6).36. TheyalsopointoutthatinitsCommunication308/05-MichaelMajuruv. Zimbabwe4,theCommissionconsideredthat"sixmonthsseemstobetheusualstandard". Itexplained,however,that"eachcasemustbedealtwithonitsownmerits"andthus,"wheretherearevalidandcompellingreasonsfortheComplainantnottosubmithisothercomplaintintime,theCommissionllllll/considerthecomplaintinordertoensurefairnessandjustice"537. TheComplainantsconsiderthatdomesticremedieswithinthemeaningofArticle56(5)thatneedtobeexhausteddonotexist. However,theBatwassoughttoexhaustallavailabledomesticmechanismsbeforesubmittingtheCommunication. Moreover,theystatethattheCommunicationwassubmittedwithinsixmonthsofbeinginformedthatthePublicProsecutor'sOfficehadnotproduceditsconclusionsintheappealproceedingsbeforetheSupremeCourt,contrarytothelawinforce.'Communication308/05MichaelMajurov/Zimbalnvd(2008)ACHPRPara.1095Ibidem7 38. TheComplainantsrequestthattheCommissionconsiderthedeadlineforsubmissiontobereasonable.39. Thus,intheabsenceofaresponsefromtheRespondentStateconcerningtheirfindingsandarguments,thenon-exhaustionofdomesticremediescannotstandinthewayoftheBatwavictims. Inanycase,itisincumbentonthelattertoprovetothecontrarybyestablishinginparticularthatthenon-exhaustedredressmechanismsmeettherequirementsofavailability,effectivenessandsufficiencyoftheCommission."TheCommission'sanalysisonAdmissibility40. TheCommissionnotesthatinspiteofthenumerousrequestssenttotheRespondentStatetoobtainitsargumentsontheadmissibilityoftheCommunicationinquestion,inaccordancewithRule102(2)ofitsRulesofProcedure,thelatterStatehasfailedtomakeanysubmissions?41. Inaccordancewithitswell-establishedjurisprudenceonthematter,theCommissiondecidesonthebasisofthefactscommunicatedbytheComplainants.*'42. Article56oftheAfricanCharterprescribesseven(7)conditionsthatmustbecumulativelymetforacommunicationtobedeclaredadmissiblebytheCommission.43. TheCommissionnotesthattheComplainantssubmittedargumentsonallthecriteriarequiredunderArticle56oftheAfricanCharter. Itobservesthatinthispresentcase,onlytheconditionsprovidedforunderArticle56(5)oftheAfricanCharteronexhaustingdomesticremediescouldbechallengedbytheRespondentState.44. TheCommissionnotesthattheotherrequirementsstipulatedinArticle56oftheAfricanCharterwerecompliedwithintheCommunication. Moreprecisely,theauthoroftheCommunicationhasbeenidentified;theCommunicationshowsprimafacieviolationsoftheAfricanCharterbyaStateParty;itisinconsistentwithboththeConstitutiveActoftheAUandtheAfricanCharter. TheCommissionalsodoesnotfindanyinsultingordisparaginglanguageintheCommunicationanditnCommunication268/03-llsarmiv. Nigeria(2005)AC]IPRpara46;Communication275/03ACHPRpara,51.1Seeparagraph198SeeCommunications25/89,4790,56/91,100/93,Communication60/91,Communication159/1996,Cormmmicason276/03andCommunication292/04.-Article19zv. Eritrea8 isnotbasedonnewsdisseminatedthroughthemassmediaanditdoesnotdealwithcasesorclaimswhichhavebeenbroughttotheattentionofaninternationaldisputebodyorsettledbysuchabody.45. TheCommissionissatisfiedthatthefive(5)conditionssetoutinsections56(1),(2),(3),(4)and(7)aremet. Thisleavesparagraphs5and6ofArticle56oftheCharter.46. AccordingtoArticle56(5),Communications"mustbe'sentaftertheexlmustionofdomesticreulvdicis,ifany,unlessifisobvioustotheCommissionthattheprocedureforsuchremediesisbeingundulyprolonged". Initsjurisprudence,theCommissionmaintainedthatthreemajorcriteriamustbemetindeterminingwhetherdomesticremedieshavebeenexhaustedandifthatisthecase,theymustbeavailable,effectiveandsufficient",whilealsonotingthat"Aremedyisconsiderednzvnilnblc:Ethe.e.itoversnpetitionercanaccessitwithoutmJprospectofsuccessrinditisdeemedsrqficivntzfthecomplaintisuplield".1uWhereoneofthesecharacteristicsisnotpresent,therequirementofexhaustionofdomesticremediesisdeemednottohavebeenmetasstipulatedinArticle56(5).47. InthispresentCommunication,theComplainantsmaintainthatdomesticremedieshavenotbeenavailable,neitherhavetheybeeneffectiveandsufficienttoprovideremedyasaresultoftheundulyprolongednatureoftheprocedureinitiatedwiththeaforementionedjurisdictions. UnavailabilityofRemedy48. TheComplainantsclaimthattheDistrictCourt(TGI)ofUviraandtheCourtofAppealofUvirahavesuccessivelydeclaredthemselvesincompetentonthegroundsthattheissueraisedbytheComplainantsfallswithintherealmofconstitutionality. TheyindicatedthattheyhadbeenobligedtoreferthemattertotheSupremeCourt,butthatnohearinghadbeenscheduleduptothedateonwhichthecasewasreferredtotheCommission.49. TheCommissionhasclearlyestablishedthataremedyisavailableifthepetitionercanhaveaccesstoitwithoutanyhindrances. Inthisspecificcase,thesuccessiveabandonmentofclaimbytheDistrictCourtandtheAppealCourtongroundsofanunstatedallegationbytheComplainantscancauseanobstaclesinceitcompelledthelattertoseizetheSupremeCourt,thusprolongingthewaitingtime9Communication147/95149/96-SirDarwdalmvnra1/TheGambia(2000)ACHPRpara3l10ldcm,para32.g ofthevictimstosockredressfortheirgrievances. Moreover,sincethesolepurposeoftheSupremeCourt'sreferralistodeterminewhetherornottheCongolesecourtshavejurisdictionovertheComplainants'claim,thedismissaloftheAppealwoulddvfnctoresultintheunavailabilityofremedies.50.7heCommissionisoftheopinionthatinthisspecificcasethereisadefactounavailabilityofremedyandthereforehasdecidedtoreceivetheComplainantsbasedonthissubmission. IneffectivenessoftheRemedy51. TheCommissionconsidersthattheComplainantshaveclearlydemonstratedthewilltoexhausttheexistingremediesdespitethevariousobstaclesencountered,coupledwiththeuncertaintyastotheireffectiveness,andwithnorealprospectofsuccessforthevictims. Inadequacyoftheremedy52. InitsCommunication147/95-149/96-Duwdaluwaruv. TheGambia,theCommissionestablishedthataremedyisconsideredsufficientifitiscapableofredressingthegrievance'!.53. TheargumentspreviouslydevelopedbytheComplainants,particularlythoseconcerningtheabsenceofalegalframeworkconducivetotheresolutionoftheirgrievancesandthedeclaredincompetenceofthecourtsseizedofthecase,reinforcetheCommission'sconviction,basedonitsjurisprudence,thataremedythatdoesnotpresentalltheguaranteesrequiredtoobtainthedesiredsolutionoratleasttoguaranteeconclusiveprospectsofsatisfaction,cannotbeconsideredsufficient". Inthecaseinpoint,itappearsthatthedomesticremediesdonothaveanylikelihoodofresolvingtheproblem,andcannotbeconsideredsufficient. UndulyProlongedRemedy54.initsCommunication293/04-ZimbabweLmvycrsforHumanRightsandInstituteforHumanRightsandDevelopmentinAfrica/Zimbabwe13,theCommissionassertedtheneedtotakeintoconsiderationthecircumstancesofthecaseandthe'!Secnote3Pam.32izld.!*AfricanCommissiononHumanAmiFeoplesRights,decisiononCommunication293/04ZinihnbzwI.ulv.ilvrs/orHmmmRightsmiInsiituhforHumanRightsandI.)(I»(Iop/nvnIinAfricanI/inzhabvvc,availableat:http://www.achpr.org/fr/communica\ions/decision/293.04/10 reasonsputforwardtojustifytheprolongationoftheremedyinordertodeterminewhethertheprolongationisnormalorabnormal.55. FromtheanalysisoftheargumentsoftheComplainants,itappearsthattheprocedurefordomesticremediesisundulyprolonged,particularlyinthelightofeightyearsofproceedingsalreadygonebyatthelowercourtsinadditiontotwoyearsofseizureattheSupremeCourtforwhichahearingdateisyettobescheduled. Furthermore,consideringthatthesolepurposeoftheapplicationtotheSupremeCourtistoruleonaquestionofconstitutionalitybeforereferringthecasetothelowercourtsforexaminationonthemerits,itisclearthatthereisalackofexpediencyinthehandlingofthiscase,whichinthiscaseconstitutesanabnormalextensionoftheremedies. Reasonabletime56. Finally,withregardtotherequirementinarticle56(6)oftheAfricanCharterthattheCommunicationmustbe"submittedwithinnreasonabletimeaftertheexhaustionofdomesticremediesoridlertheduh'onwhichtheCommissionconsidersthattheHmelimilforthesubmissionoftheCommunicationlmsexpired". Havingalreadyestablishedthefactthatappealsareabnormallyprolonged,theCommissionshouldconfirmwhetherthetimelimitsforsubmissionsmeetitscriteria.57. TheAfricanCharteronlyprovidesthatcommunicationsmustbesubmitted"withinareasonabletime"whichisnotdefined. TheCommissionacknowledgedinCommunication308/05-MichaelMajuruv. Zimbabwe",that"sixruontllsseemstobetheusualstandard"forbringingacasebeforetheCommissionaftertheexhaustionofdomesticremediesl5. Butitalsoemphasisedthateachcasemustbedealtwithonitsownmerits,statingthatiftherearevalidandcompellingreasonsfortheComplainantnottobeabletosubmithisorhercomplaintwithinthetimelimit,theCommissionmayconsiderthecomplaintinordertoensurefairnessandjustice1658. Inthecaseathand,theComplainantsindicatedthattheyhadfiledacomplaintwiththeCommissionsixmonthsafterbeinginformedthatthePublicProsecutor'sOfficehadnotgivenitsopinionintheappealprocedurebeforetheSupremeCourt,contrarytothelawinforce.~°llCommunication308/05MichaelMnjumv. ZinIbuhwc(2008)ACIIPRPara10915Communicalion308/05-MirharlMnjumv. Zimbabwe(2008)ACIIPRPara10916ibidem11AMU*\1. L¢sa¥12,*a. UI§1*J\\.mes?.,s».. C2}J,. 59. Onthebasisoftheabovefactsandinaccordancewithitsjurisprudence,itappearstotheCommissionthatthetimelimitwithinwhichthematterwasreferredtoit,canbeconsideredreasonableanditacceptstheComplainants'argumentonthisground. DecisionoftheCommissiononAdmissibilitv60. Inthelightoftheforegoing,theAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'RightsdeclaresthepresentCommunicationadmissiblepursuanttoArticle56oftheAfricanCharter. OnthemeritsTheComplainants'PleasontheMeritsAllegedviolationofArticle161. TheComplainantsallegeaviolationofArticle1oftheCharter,whichstatesthatMemberStatespartiestotheCharterrecognizetherights,dutiesandfreedomssetforththereinandundertaketoensuretheirobservancebyadoptinglegislativeorothermeasuresfortheirimplementation.62. InsupportoftheirallegationsofaviolationofthisprovisionoftheCharter,theComplainantsbasetheirargumentontheCommunicationDnwdn[mournv. TheGambia(2000)inwhichtheCommissionheldthattheobligationunderArticle1is"mandatory"obligationinthesensethatStatesPartiestotheCharterhaveaundertakentoadoptlegislativeorothermeasurestogiveeffecttoit. TheComplainantsstatethattheobligationimposedbyArticle1isnotanobligationofdiligence,butratherinobligationofresult.63. ReferringtotheCommission'sjurisprudenceintheCommunicationKevinMgwnngnGimmeetnl.p. Cnmeroon(2009),theComplainantsstatethatitisbecauseofthemandatorynatureofArticle1abovethattheCommissionitselfhasinsomeinstancesfoundittobeviolatedwithouttheComplainant'shavingreferredtoit. Theyask,therefore,thatiftheCommissionfindsanyviolationofthearticlesoftheCharter,thentheRespondentStatemusthaveviolatedArticle1. AllegedviolationofArticle264. TheComplainantsclaimthattherighttonon-discriminationunderArticle2ofthe. Charterhasbeenviolated. Accordingtothem,thediscriminationsufferedb.su12re... BatwaofKahuzi-Biegaisreflectedinthelackofcompensationfollowingtheireviction,thefactthatothernon-BatwacommunitiesareallowedtoremainintheKBNP,thecommunity'slackoflandtenureandaccesstobasicsocialservicesoutsidetheforest,andtheabsenceofBatwarepresentationinthepoliticalandadministrativeinstitutionsoftheDRC.65. TheComplainantsstatethattheRespondentStatehasallowedothernon-BatwacommunitiestoremainintheKBNPdespitenationallegislationprohibitinghumanpresenceandactivitiesinthepark. AccordingtotheComplainants,suchdiscriminatoryapplicationofthelawconstitutesaviolationofArticle2because,theyinsist,'thereisnoobjectivejustificationastowhyothernon-Bahvacommunitieshavebeenallowedtoremaininthepark'. Theyclaimthat,furthermore,non-BatwaactivitiesweremoredamagingtotheenvironmentthanBatwaactivities,whichtheyclaimwerefavorableandprotectiveoftheenvironment,66. TheComplainantssubmitthatthediscriminationagainsttheBatwaisalsomanifestedin'accesstobasicsocialservices'. AccordingtotheComplainants,theBatwadonothaveaccesstobasicsocialservicesbecause"theyareunabletoaccessschoolsandhealthcentres,water,sanitationandinfrastructureduetotheirstateofpovertyafterevictionandthepoorqualityofthelandonwhichtheyareallowedtosettle.i67. TheConiplainantsallegethatanotherareaofdiscriminationagainsttheBatwarelatestopoliticalrepresentationandparticipation. TheyclaimthattheBatvvaarenotrepresentedin'thepolitical,institutionalandadministrativeinstitutionsoftheDRC,whichexcludesthemfromtheprocessofgovernanceanddecision-makingonissuesthataffectthem.68. TheComplainantsarguethattheStatehasno'objective'and'reasonable'justificationforthisdiscriminationagainsttheBatwa,andthatithasthereforeviolatedArticle2oftheCharter. AllegedviolationofArticle469. WithregardtoArticle4,whichguaranteestherighttolife,theComplainantsallegethatthisrightwasviolatedbytheforcedevictionanddisplacementoftheBatwafromtheirancestrallands. Indeed,theyaverthatthestatehasnotprovidedforaccompanyingmeasurestoensuretheprotectionoftheBatwaaftertheirforcedevictionanddisplacement'byguaranteeingaccesstofood,cleanwater,San/i13 healthcareandsocialservices. TheComplainantsinsistthattheexistenceoftheBatwainconditionsof'destitutionhasresultedinincreasedratesofmaternalmortality,infantmortality,malnutritionandmorbidityinthecommunity'.70. TheComplainantsalsopointoutthattheBatwacontinuetobesubjectedtoviolencebyStateagents,intheformofextrajudicialkillingsofindividualstryingtoentertheforestinsearchoffoodandtraditionalmedicines. Forallthesereasons,theComplainantsconcludethattheDRChasviolatedandcontinuestoviolateArticle4. AllegedviolationofArticle871. TheComplainantsallegeaviolationoftherighttofreedomofreligionundersection8oftheCharter.insupportofthisallegation,theyreportthattheKahuzi-BiegaforestisthecentreoftheBatwa'sreligiousandspirituallife. AccordingtotheComplainants,thereligiousbeliefsandpracticesoftheBatwaareintimatelylinkedtotheirtraditionalwayoflifeintheKahuzi-Biegaforest.72. Inthesamevein,theComplainantsarguethattheevictionoftheBatwafromtheKahuzi-Biegaforesthasdeprivedthemofaccesstotheirancestrallands,whichnotonlyprohibitsthemfromworshippingtheirgodsandancestors,butalsoprohibitsthemfromorganisingtheirreligiousceremoniesintheforestsandfromproperlyburyingtheirdeadintheirancestralhomes73. Inlightofthesefacts,theComplainantsconcludethattheDRChasviolatedArticle8oftheCharter. AllegedviolationofArticle1474. TheComplainantsallegeaviolationoftherighttopropertyunderArticle14. TheypointoutthattheevictionoftheBatwacommunityconstitutesaseriousencroachmentontheBatwa'srighttopropertythat'isnotinaccordancewithapplicablelawandistotallydisproportionatetoapublicnodorgeneralcommunityinterest'.75. Insupportofthisallegation,theComplainantsstatethattheKahuzi-BiegaforestistheancestralhomeoftheBatwacommunityandthatthecommunitydrawsbenefitsfromtheforest'sresourcesandthesacredsiteserectedthere. TheyaddthattheBatwahavea'symbioticrelationshipwiththeland'andthattheyrelyonthislandanditsforesttosustainallaspectsoftheireconomic,social,culturalnun'f. ECV11v1714 religiouslife. TheyreportthattheseBatwahaveexerciseda'formofindigenouscustomarytenure,holdingthelandthroughaformofcollectiveownership'.76. TheComplainantsarguethatsomeoftheusesthattheBatwamadeofthisforest,includingmodesthousesbuiltfrombranches,leavesandmud,aswellascustom-madetoolsandtraditionalclothingmadefromanimalskinsandtreepods,is'anindicationoftraditionalAfricanownership'. Accordingtothem,itwasrarelywrittenasacodificationofrightsortitles,butwaseventuallyunderstoodbysocietythrough"mutualrecognitionandrespectforproperty.77. TheComplainantspointoutthattheseriousnessoftheDRC'sinfringementofthesepropertyrightsisencapsulatedinthefactthatithasattemptedtosevertheBatwa'srelationshipwiththecentralelementoftheirculturalidentity,whichistheforest. AccordingtotheComplainants,theBatwahavebeenevictedandexpropriatedfromtheircommunallands,relegatingthemtoanexistencedefinedbypoverty,discriminationandsocialmarginalization.78. TheComplainantsgoontostatethatthisinfringementofpropertyrightsbytheDRCwasnotjustifiedbyeitherthepublicinterestorthegeneralinterestofthecommunity. Furthermore,theyinsistthattheBatwawerebetterprotectorsoftheenvironmentduringthetimetheylivedintheKahuzi-Biegaforest.79. TheComplainantsalsoindicatethatthisinfringementwasnotcompliantwithexistinglawseither. Theyarguethatatthetimeoftheeviction,theforestwasstill"underindigenousreservations,"whichtheysaymakestheevictionillegalunderdomesticlaw. TheComplainantsaddthattheregimeofexpropriationgovernedbya1977lawwasnotfollowed,sincetheBatwawereneitherinformedoftheevictionnorcompensated. AllegedviolationofArticle16n,0\]*l'lLLPby80. WithregardtoArticle16oftheCharter,theComplainantsallegethattheDRCviolatedtheBatwa'srighttohealth'byevictingandexcludingthemfromtheKahuzi-Biegaforest,cuttingofftheirsourcesoffoodandmedicinalplants,andfailingtoimplementpositivemeasurestoensuretheirnon-discriminatoryaccesstohealthcare,education,hygiene,food,drinkingwater,sanitationandadequatehousing15 81. Insupportoftheirallegations,theComplainantsarguethatbyexpellingtheBatwafromtheKahuzi-Biegaforest,theDRChasimpededtheavailabilityofhealthcarethatisdependentontraditionalmedicinesandtheirparticularhealthpractices. TheyaddthattheDRChasalsofailedtomakehealthcareaccessibleinallitsdimensions(asdefinedbytheUNCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(CESCR),whichincludephysicalaccessibility,economicaccessibility,informationaccessibilityandnon-discrimination.82. TheComplainantsreiteratethatbyevictingtheBatwa,theDRChasfailedtorespect,fulfilandprotecttheirunderlyinghealthrights,includingtherighttofood,waterandsanitation. AllegedviolationofArticle17(1)83. WithregardtoArticle17(1),whichprotectstherighttoeducation,theComplainantsallegethattheevictionoftheBatwafromtheKahuzi-BiegaforestviolatedtherighttoeducationinallitsaspectsassetoutinthePrinciplesandGuidelinesonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsinAfrica(<<PretoriaDeclaration»)AllegedviolationofArticle17(2)et(3)84. Article17(2)and(3)protectstherighttoculture. TheComplainantsallegethattheevictionoftheBatwaviolatedtheirrighttoculturebecausetheDRCdeniedthemaccesstotheirtraditionallandsintheKahuzi-Biegaforestanditsspiritualsites.85. Infact,theComplainantsarguethattheDRChasviolatedtherighttocultureunderArticle17(2)and(3)intworespects. Firstly,theystatethatbyevictingthemand'prohibitingthemfromenteringancestrallands,theDRChasimpededtheBatwa'saccesstoculturalsitesandtheirrighttoengageintraditional,territory-basedculturalpracticesandrituals'. Secondly,theComplainantsexplainthattheDRChasviolatedtheBatwa'srighttoculture'byirreversiblydamagingtheirtraditionalwayoflife,inparticularbypreventingthemfromaccessingtraditionalforest-basedknowledge,whichisintegraltotheBatwa'sdistinctculturalidentityandwayoflife'.weI86. Withregardtothefirstaspect,theComplainantsallegethatbeforetheirevictiontheKahuzi-BiegaforestwasacentreofBatwaculturallife. TheypointoutthatthisforestwasaculturalsiteofgreatimportancetotheBatwa,wheretheywouldgatherforritualsorculturalpracticessuchas"blessingritualsformarriages¢;£'l¢u,16'1». K births,dealingwithfamilyconflicts,remedyingdrought,sterilityorillness,andpromotinggoodluckinhunting. TheyindicatethatbecauseofthisexclusionfromtheKahuzi-Biegaforest,theBatwahavelosttheirculturalidentity.87. Regardingthesecondaspectofthisviolation,theComplainantsallegethattheBatwahaveasymbioticrelationshipwiththeforestandthatthisrelationshipgivesthemspecialknowledgeabouttheforestthattheypassonfromgenerationtogeneration. TheComplainantsreiteratethat,asaresult,'theBatwa'srelationshipwiththeirtraditionallandsandresourcesisessentialtotheirwayoflifeandultimatelytotheirpreservationandsurvivalasadistinctpeople'.88. TheComplainantsallegethattheDRC'sinterferencewiththeBatwa'srighttocultureisneitherjustifiednorproportionate. AllegedviolationofArticle2189. ComplainantsallegeaviolationofArticle21,whichguaranteestherightofpeoplestofreelydisposeofwealthandnaturalresources,inthreerespects:throughtheireviction,theBatwahavebeendeniedaccesstotheirnaturalresources,theDRChasbenefitedfromand/orallowedotherstoexploitthemwithoutconsultingandcompensatingthem;andfinally,theDRChasfailedtopreventenvironmentaldegradationofthenaturalresourcesoftheforestthatwerebeneficialtotheBatwa.90. Withregardtothefirstaspect,theComplainantsallegethatsincetheireviction,theBatwahavenolongerhadaccesstothenaturalresourcesoftheforestandthatwhenevertheyhavetriedtoentertheforesttocollecttheseresources,theyhavebeenfined,imprisonedandevensubjectedtoexcessiveviolencebyStateagents.91. Withregardtothesecondaspect,theComplainantsallegethattheforesthassignificanteconomicactivity,includingvariousformsofagriculturalexploitation. TheyclaimthatbyundertakingtodispossesstheBatwaoftheirancestrallands,theDRChasnotpreventedothergroupsfromillegallyextractingandexploitingthesameresourcesthroughthesevariousagriculturalactivities. AccordingtotheComplainants,byexploitingandprofitingfromthenaturalresourcesoftheKahuzi-Biegaforest,orallowingotherstodothesamewithoutconsultingorcompensatingtheBatwa,theDRChasviolatedArticle21.92. Onthethirdaspect,theComplainantsarguethattheexploitationoftheKahuzi-BiegaforestbytheDRCandothernon-BatwagroupshasledtoSCV`€°1E!IP17"of. deforestationandenvironmentaldegradationoftheBatwa'straditionallandsandnaturalresources. Theyinsistthat,onthecontrary,theBatwahadmanagedtoconserveandsafeguardthesenaturalresourcesoftheKahuzi-Kiegaforest. Consequently,theyconcludethatbycausingorfailingtopreventenvironmentaldegradationofthenaturalresourcescontainedintheKahuzi-Biegaforest,theDRChasviolatedArticle21.93. Inlightoftheabove,theComplainantsarguethattheBatwa,asindigenouspeoples,haveanabsoluterighttofreelydisposeoftheirwealthandnaturalresourcesunderArticle21(1)andthattheDRChasthereforeviolatedit. Finally,theyinsistthatunderArticle2l(2),theBatwaareentitledtotherecoveryoftheirlandandtoanadequatecompensationfortheirlosses,includingashareoftheprofitsfromtheuseandexploitationoftheirnaturalresources. AllegedviolationofArticle2294. TheComplainantsallegeaviolationoftherighttoeconomic,socialandculturaldevelopmentunderArticle22. TheComplainantsarguethattheDRChasviolatedtherighttodevelopmentthroughnumerouscumulativeactionsandomissions.95. Accordingtothem,theexclusionoftheBatwafromtheKahuzi-Biegaforestsubjectedthemtoconditionsthat'deprivedthemofanymeaningfulcontrolovertheirinstitutions,culture,traditionsandterritories'. Theyarguethatthishashadanimpactontheirdevelopmentasapeople.96. TheComplainantsfurthersubmitthattheDRChasfailedtoensuretheBatwa'saccesstobasicpublicservicessincetheireviction'including'water,sanitation,healthandeducation-servicesnecessaryfortherealizationofotherbasichumanrights-firmlyassociatedwithdevelopmentandthedeterminationofeconomicandsocialprogramsthataffecttllem'.97. TheComplainantsconcludethat,asaresult,theevictionoftheBatwafromtheKahuzi-BiegaForesthaspreventedthemfromrealizingtheirindividualandcollectivehumanpotentialandambitions,whichtheyclaimisaviolationbytheDRCoftheirrightsunderArticle22oftheCharter.98. Inparticular,theComplainantsconsiderthattheDRChasviolatedtheBatwa'srighttodevelopmentunderArticle22intwofundamentalways. First,theyconsiderthattheStatedidnotconsultthemorobtaintheirpriorconsentbeforeclassifyingtheKahuzi-Biegaforestasanationalpark,beforeevictingthemfi;uwA:5gg'AIhis§(18 theirancestrallandsandbeforedeterminingtheircapacityintermsofconservationthatmightbeappropriatetoconservetheKahuzi-Biegaforest. Instead,theyargue,theBatwaarebeingdeniedaccess,use,andparticipationindecisionsabouttheirancestrallands. Thisthreatens'theirtraditionalwaysoflifeandtheircollectivedevelopmentinaccordancewiththeirrighttoself-determination.99. Secondly,theComplainantsallegethattheDRChasfailedtofulfiltheBatwa'srighttodevelopmentasanindigenouspeople. TheycontendthatitwastheDRC'sobligationtoensurethattheBatwa'retaincontrolovertheirinstitutions,culture,traditionsandterritoriesinordertocontributetotheircollectivedevelopmentandwell-beingasatraditionalpeople'. Tothecontrary,theirevictionfromtheKahuzi-Biegaforesthasforcedthemtoliveinmiserableconditions,eventhoughtheforestusedtoprovidethemwitheverythingtheyneededtomeettheirbasicneeds. TheymaintainthatthedegradationoftheBatwa'slivingconditionsisaconsequenceoftheDRC'sactions,amplifiedbythefactthatithasnottakenthenecessarymeasurestomitigatetheeffects. AllegedviolationofArticle24100. Article24protectstherightofallpeoplestoanadequateandcomprehensiveenvironmentfortheirdevelopment. TheComplainantsarguethatbyevictingtheBatwafromtheKahuzi-BiegaForest,theGovernmenthasfailedtoprovidethemwithafavorableenvironment. Accordingtothem,theKahuzi-BiegaforestistheonlyfavorableenvironmentfortheBatwa. TheypointoutthattherightprotectedbyArticle24includesnotonlytheprotectionofthenaturalenvironmentfrompollutionandenvironmentaldegradation,butalso'theobligationtotakemeasurestoprovidethecommunitywithanenvironmentthatenablesittodevelopeconomically,sociallyandculturally'.101. TheComplainantsallegethatunderArticle24,theDRChasbreachedthreemainobligations,namelytheobligationtorespect,theobligationtoprotectandtheobligationtoprovide.\102. Regardingtheobligationtorespect,theComplainantsarguethattheStatehasanobligationtoputinplaceinternationallyacceptableexpropriationrulesthatprovidesafeguardsagainstarbitrarydispossession. Theyinsistthatthesemeasuresshoulddetailtheprocessandstandardstobeapplied"includingconsultationswithaffectedmembersofsociety,timelynotification,paymentofadequatecompensationandassistanceforrehabilitation. TheComplainantsfurtherstatethattheBatwahadaspecialbondwiththelandoftheirancestorssu,¢i5,?,. Q.w&"InJ...tQi*f..,,__.194.-1- that"nothingcanadequatelyreplacethelossoftheforestandnolandcanofferthemsimilarculturalandmaterialbenefits. TheyreiteratethatevictingtheBatwafromtheKahuzi-Biegaforestbyviolence,withoutnoticeorcompensationconstitutesaviolationoftheobligationtorespecttheBatwa'srightunderArticle24.103. Asforthedutytoprotect,theComplainantsassertthattheStatehasanobligationtoprotecttheenvironmentunderArticle24. TheyarguethattheKahuzi-BiegaforestistheonlyenvironmentconducivetothefavourabledevelopmentoftheBatwapeople,andthattheState"hasanobligationtoprotectthisenvironment". IntheComplainants'view,"theDRChasfailedtosafeguardandprotecttheenvironment. Theyarguethatbyevictingthem,theStatehasremovedaneffectivelayerofenvironmentalprotection. TheyconcludethatthisconstitutesaviolationoftheState'sobligationtoprotecttheBatwa'srighttoafavorableenvironment.104. Finally,theComplainantsclaimthattheStatehasbreachedtheobligationtoprovide,whichconsistsoftheState'sobligationto'investintheprovisionofnecessarysocialservicesandphysicalinfrastructureandprovidesupportfortheimprovementofthelivelihoodsoflocalpeopleaswellasinvestinginthebenefitsforfuturegenerations'. TheComplainantsallegethattheDRChasnottakenanystepstorestoretheenvironmentandrepairthedamage,whileinsistingthatinadditionthe"keyproblemsfacedbytheBatwastemfromthelackofaccesstobasicsocialservices,suchasschoolsandhealthcare". RespondentState'sSubmissionsontheMerits105. Asindicatedabove,theRespondentStatedidnotsubmititsobservationsonthemeritsoftheComplainants'allegations,despiteseveralletterssentbytheSecretariatandthetimeitwasgiveninaccordancewiththerelevantprovisionsoftheCommission'sRulesofProcedure.\Amicuscuriaesubmissions106. VariousOrganisations,ledbytheSecretariatoftheESCR-InternationalNetworkforEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights-submittedanAmicusCuriaebrief,namely:AsiaIndigenousPeoplesPact(AIPP),AsocincionIntemnzericnndeDerechosAmhientnles(AIDA),ConcisionColombian/1dejuristas(CCI),DueProcessofLawFoundation(DPLF)andGlobalInitiativeforEconomic,Social20 CulturalRights(GI-ESCR). TheseOrganisationsclaimtohaveexperienceinhumanrightsanalysisandlitigationwithrespecttoindigenouspeoples'rightsandeconomic,social,culturalandenvironmentalrights.107. WhilenotreferringtoviolationsofCharterprovisions,theamicescurincprovidesaninterpretationoftherightsofindigenouspeoplestothelands,territoriesandresourcestheytraditionallyown,occupyoruse. Tosupporttheirarguments,theyrelyonthestandardsoftheUNhumanrightssystem,theInter-Americanhumanrightssystem,theUNInternationalLabourOrganisationandthestandardsofcomparativeconstitutionallaw.108. Thus,theAmicusCarinebriefconcludesthatStatesshouldharmonisetheirenvironmentalprotectionmeasureswiththerightsofindigenouspeoplesovertheirlands,territoriesandresources.ltalsoemphasisesthatStatesshouldrecogniseandrespecttheroleofindigenouspeoplesandtheirtraditionalknowledgeinconservingbiodiversity;recogniseandimplementculturalrights;andrespect,protectandfulfiltherightofindigenouspeoplestofree,priorandinformedconsentwhenadoptingenvironmentalmeasures. AnalysisoftheCommissionontheMerits109. InlightoftheRespondentState'sfailuretosubmititsarguments,theCommission,inaccordancewithitsjurisprudence'7,willproceedwithitsconsiderationofthisCommunicationonthebasisoftheinformationatitsdisposal. ThefollowinganalysisalsotakesintoaccounttheAmicusCurirzebriefsubmitted.l\110. ThefactsasreportedindicatethattheCongoleseStateexpelledtheBatwapeoplefromtheirforestwithoutresettlingthem. Ontheconceptofindigenouspeople111. AssertingthattheBatwaareanindigenouspeople,theComplainantsarguethattheyareentitledtotheprotectioncontainedintheAfricanCharteronHumanandPeoples'Rightsrelatingtocollectiverights,andinaccordancewithrelated17SeeCommunication155/96SocialandEconomicRightsActionCentre(SERAC)andCentreforEconomicandSocialRights(CESR)v/Nigeria(2001)ACHPRpara49,SeealsoCommunication292/04InstituteforHumanRightsandDevelopmentinAfricav/Angola(2008)ACHPRpara34andCommunication159/96InterAmericanUnionforHumanRights,InternationalFederationofHumanRightsLeagues,AfricanMeetingforHumanRights,NationalOrganisationfor"w@rtafs.t<ish'sinSenegalandMaiianAssociationforHumanRightsv/RepublicofAngola(1997)ACHPRparQ1 internationalstandards. Insupportoftheirclaims,theypointtothevariousstatementscontainedinthedecisionsrenderedbytheCommission,aswellasbyotherinternationaljudicialbodies.112. TheAfricanCommissionnotesthattheAfricanCharter,inArticles20to24,providesthatpeoplescanasserttheirrightsaspeoples,i.e.ascommunities. Inthisregard,onthequestionofwhethertheBATWAconstitutean"indigenouspeople",theCommissionnotesthatthetermcontainstwoconceptsthathavebeendefined. Thesearetheconceptof"people"andtheconceptof"indigenous".113. Withregardtotheconceptof"people",andonthebasisofdefinitionsprovidedbyvariousexperts,whounderstoodthisconceptaseithera"groupofhumanbeingslivinginsociety071ngiventerritoryandwho,oftensharingncommunityoforigin,presentnrelativelyhomogeneousformofcivilisationaridarelinkedbyncertainmmzberofshnredcustomsandinstitutions"1*',ora"groupofpersonswho,notliving011thesameterritorybuthavingthesameethnicoriginorreligion,havethe.feelingofbelongingtothesamecommzmih/",theAfricanCommissionwasabletoobservethatthereisconsensusonsomeobjectivefeaturesthatagroupofindividualsshouldmanifesttobeconsideredas"npeople".114. Itisthereforeaquestion,inparticular,ofacommonhistoricaltradition,racialorethnicidentity,culturalhomogeneity,linguisticunity,religiousandideologicalaffinities,territorialconnection,economiclife,inadditiontootherbonds,identitiesandaffinitieswhichtheycollectivelyenjoyoraredenied-inparticulartherightsenumeratedunderArticles19and24oftheAfricanCharters.115. Withregardtotheterm"indigenous",theCommissionnotesthatArticle1ofILOConvention169on"IndigenousandTribalPeoples"definesthemas,interalia,"peoplesinindependentcountrieswhoareregardedasindigenousonaccountoftheirdescenffromthepopulationswhichinhabitedthecountry,orageographicalregiontoailzichthecountrybelongs,atthetimeofconquestorcolonisationortheestablishmentofpresentstateboundariesandwho,irrespectiveoftheirlegalstatus,retainsomeoralloftheirownsocial,economic,culturalandpoliticalinstitutions"20.18"Aslongasmenarenotboundtogetherbyacommonbelief,theydonotyetformapeople,forthereason,whichmayhavebroughtthemtogetheryesterday,tomorrowmaydividethem"(§h. BLANCGramm.artsdessin,1876,p,54)CNRTL.19Communication276/03-CentreforMinorityRightsDevelopmentbehalfofEndoroisWelfareCouncil)v/Kenya(2009)ACHPRpara20Article1ofILOConvention19onIndigenousandTribalPeople;LMinorityRightsGroup(on\22\1 116. However,theCommissionnotesthatintheAfricancontext,theterm"indig¢>rions"isnotintendedtocreateaspecialclassofcitizens,butrathertotakeintoaccountpastandpresent-dayinjusticesandinequalitiessufferedbythesefirstinhabitants. ThisisclearintheworkoftheAfricanCommission'sWorkingGrouponIndigenousPopulations/Communities,whichalsonotedthatthenotionof"peoples"iscloselyrelatedtocollectiverights'.117. ThisMechanismpresentedfourcriteriaforidentifyingindigenouspeoples:occupationanduseofaspecificterritory;voluntaryperpetuationofdistinctiveculturaltraits;self-identificationasadistinctivecommunity,aswellasrecognitionbyothergroups;anexperienceofsubju6ation,marginalisation,dispossession,exclusionordiscrimination.118. ItalsoidentifiedsomecommoncharacteristicsofindigenousgroupsinAfrica,including,butnotlimitedto,thevarioushunterorformerhuntergroupsandsomepastoralistgroups,notingthekeycharacteristicformostofthemthatthesurvivaloftheirspecialwayoflifedependsontheiraccessto,andrightsto,theirtraditionalspaceandthenaturalresourcesitcontains119. ItCarlthereforebeconcludedthat,ingeneral,alldefinitionsoftheconceptofindigenouspeoplerecognisethelinkagesbetweenpeoples,theirlandsandtheircultureandthefactthatsuchagroupexpressesitswishtobeidentifiedasapeopleorisawarethatitisapeople. TheUnitedNationsWorkingGrouponIndigenousPeoples,recognisesthat"Indigenousconmiiiiiities,peoplesnm!mitiorisarethosewhich,livingnhistoricalcontinuitywithpre-iiwasionmidpre-colonialsocietiesthatdevelopedontheirterritories,considerfheniseleesdistinctfromothersectorsofthesocietiesnowprez»iiilinginthoseterritories,orpartsofthem. Tliei/formatpresentnon-domiimritsectorsofsocietyandaredeterminedtopreserve,developandtransmittohihiregeiieriitionstheirniieestriilterritories,andtheirethnicidentity,asthebasisoftheircoritiniiedexistencenspeoples,innccordmicewiththeirutericulturalpiitterris,socialinstitutionsaridlegalsi/stems".22120. Thus,inadditiontoasacredrelationshipwiththeirland,self-identificationisanotherimportantcriterionfordeterminingindigenouspeoples.inthisregard,thelater-AmericanCourtconsideredthattheSaramakapeopleconstituteatribalcommunitywhosesocial,culturalandeconomictraditionsaredifferentfrom11Communication276/03op.cit,Para.149...¢....22ReportoftheUNSpecialRapporteuroftheSubCommissiononPreventionofDiscriminatiop:Q;r1tf£iQtk§ctionofMinoritiesontheStudyoftheproblemofdiscriminationagainstIndigenousPeople,para.23.,,a9. I'lL.0'....- othersectionsofthenationalcommunity,mainlybecauseoftheirspecialrelationshipwiththeiraxicest-ralland,andbecausetheyregulatethemselves,atleastpartially,bytheirownnorms,customs,andtraditions."121. TheUNPane]onIndigenousPeoplesalsostatedthat"or:anindividualbasis,onindigenouspersonisonewhobelongstotheseindigenouspopulationsthroughself-identificrztionasindigenous(groupconsciousness)andisrecognizedandacceptedbythesepopulationsasoneofitsmembers(nccepfrmcebythegroup). Thispreservesfortheseconnnunitiesthesovereignrightandpowertodecidewhobelongstothem,withoutexternnlinferference".2'*122. InthepresentCommunication,itappearsfromthedocumentsandtestimoniesavailabletotheCommissionthattheBatwacommunityidentifiesitselfasadistinctsocialandculturalentityand"considersitselfasadistinctpeoplesharingauniquecommonhistory,ethnicity,cultureandreligionasatraditionalpeoplelivingintheforest". Moreover,othernon-Batwagroupsrecognise,acceptandidentifythembytheircultureandphysicaltraits.123. TheBatwahavebuiltaspecialrelationshipwiththeirancestrallandsintheKahuzi-Biegaforestbasedonaspiritualandmateriallife. Forexample,H. K.,oneoftheBatwaexpelledfromKahuzi-Biega,testifies:"Ourlifeisconditionedbythepresenceofforest. Itisimportantforustohaveaccesstotheparkbecausethatiswhereourhospital,foodandplaceofworshipare. I]weusedtohunt,lookforyarnstomaketraditiormlloinclotllsandplates,collectjirewood,yamsandfruit.»25124. Inviewoftheabove,theCommission,relyingalsoonitsjurisprudenceintheEnrforoiscase,aswellasthatoftheAfricanCourtonHumanandPeoples'RightsintheOgiekcase,considersthattheBatwapeople,aspresentedinthedocumentsproducedbytheComplainants,havethecharacteristicsofanindigenous,andthereforeprimitive,people. Assuch,itsexistence,inallitsaspects,islinkedtotheenvironmentofthisarea,whichhasbeendeclaredanationalpark. Thus,itsevictionfromthisareawithoutresettlement,ifproven,constitutesageneralinfringementofitsrighttoexistence,assetoutintheviolationsallegedbytheComplairiants,whichtheyareentitledtobringbeforetheCommission.zaInterAmericanCourtofHumanRights,caseoftheSoromokoPeoplev. Suriname,JudgementofNovember28,2007,para79"ReportoftheUNSpecialRapporteuro_LtheSubCommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinoritiesontheStudy;thegqobiemofdiscriminationagainstIndigenousPeople,para381&382. ZSVoirDéclarationsoussermentc OntheallegedviolationofArticle2125. Article2stipulatesthat"Everyiizrliziidnrilshrillbeentitledtotheenjoy/mentoftherightsandfreerloinsrecognisedandguarrnzleedinthepresentCharterwithoutdistinctionofanykindsuchnsrace,ethnicgroup,color,sex,language,religion,politicaloram/otheropinion,nationalandsocialorigin,fortune,birthorotherstatus". ThisprovisionoftheCharteradvocatesnon-discrimination. TheComplainants'allegationsofviolationofthisrightdrawsupontheirunderstandingofnon-discrimination.126. Therighttonon-discriminationisafundamentalrightinthecontemporaryorganisationanddesignofmodernsocieties.127. IntheCommunicationZimbribwc'Lnwl/ersforHmmmRightsCrlnslilulvforHmmmRightsandDewlopnierxtinAfrica(onbehalfofAndrewBarclayMeldrum)ziZimlmbwe,theCommissiondefineddiscriminationas:"anyactwhichaimsatdistinction,exclusion,restrictionorpreferencewhichisbasedonanygroundsuchasrace,color[...]orotherstatus,andwhichhasthepurposeoreffectofnullifyingorimpairingtherecognition,enjoymentorexercisebyallpersons,onequalfooting,ofallrightsandfreedoms".26128. Similarly,intheCommunicationWorldOrganisationAgainstTortureandtheLoguedelaZum'Africaim'pourInDensedesDroitsdesEnfrmlsetEléves(onbehalfofCélinc)v. DemocraticRepublicofCongo,theCommissionstatedthatdiscriminationisunlawfulorunjustifieddifferentiation,i.e.basedononeofthedistinctionslistedinArticle227Differentiationnecessarilyinvolvesanexplicitorimplicit,knownorassumedcomparator.129. IntheCommunicationKeniivfhGoodv. RepublicofBofsrvm1n,theCommissionwtoutthreerequirementstobeconsideredinassessingwhethertherehasbeendiscrimination. Thus,discriminationoccurswhenequalcasesaretreatedinadifferentmanner,whenthedifferenceintreatmentdoesnothaveanobjectiveandreasonablejustification,andifthereisnoproportionalitybetweentheaimsoughtandthemeansemployed."TheCommissionalsostressedthatthethreerequirementsarecumulativeandthereforeproofoftheexistenceofoneofthemautomaticallyimpliesaviolationoftherighttonon-discrimination.26Communication294/04-ZLHR&IHRDAv. Zimbabwe(2006)ACHPR,para9127Communlcatlon325/06WorldOrganisationAgainstTortureandtheLiguedelaZoneAfricainepourlaDefensedesDrollsdesEnfantsetEléves(onbehouofCéline)v. DemocraticRepublicofCong0.(2015)ACHPRpara74v.'.,";ll.zaCommunlcatlon313/05KennethGoodV. RepublicofBotswana(2010)ACHPRpara-.2519._"\,*|.\,38,.l.'pa\L",....vlI 130. Inthiscase,itappearstotheCommissionthattheBabahavebeentreateddifferentlyfromotherswithoutanyvalidobjectiveorreasonablejustification. TestimoniesavailabletotheCommissionconvergeonthefactthatnon-BatwapeoplehavealwayshadaccesstotheKahuzi-BiegaNationalParkdespitenationallegislationprohibitinghumanpresenceandactivitieswithinthepark. Forexample,inthesworntestimonyofS. M.oftheTwacommunity,hestates:"OthercorrmmnitiessuchnstheTembo,Shi,HavuandRzvandophoneHumwithfarms,fieldsandevenvillageshavenotbeenaffectedsolarandcontinuetomakeuseoftheparkbymakingmoneyfromminerals,cattle,plants,embersandwoodthataresoldandtheypaytaxestolocalauthoritiesontheseproducts".29131. K. N.,anothermemberofthepygmycommunity,claimedthat"somepeoplefrornothercommunitiesareillegallyexploitingthePNKBwilhoutfacinganyproblemsfromtheparkrangers"andthat"theyapparentlyhaveanagreementwiththeparkautlzorities".30Onthebasisofallthesefacts,theCommissionconcurswiththeComplainantsthattheBatwaweretreateddifferentlyfromothercommunitiesinthelocalityofKahuzi-BiegabecauseoftheiridentityasBatwa,sincenon-Batwapeopleweretreatedmorefavourably.132. ArelatedquestioniswhethertheDRChadanyjustificationfortreatingtheBatwadifferentlyfromothercommunities. AlthoughtheRespondentStatedidnotsubmititsarguments,theCommissionisoftheviewthatthereisnojustificationforsuchadifferenceintreatment. Indeed,oneofthefundamentalcharacteristicsofnationallegislationisitsgeneralnature. Ifitonlyappliestoaspecificgroup,itbecomesdiscriminatoryandthereforewouldviolateArticle2oftheCharter.133. Forallthesereasons,theCommissionconcludesthattheRespondentStateviolatedtherighttonon-discriminationprescribedbyArticle2oftheCharter. OntheallegedviolationofArticle4134. Article4ofCharterprovides:"Humanbeingsareinzviolable. Everyhumanbeingshallbeentitledtorespectforhislifeandthephysicalanilmoralintegrityofhisperson. Noonemaybearbitrarilydeprivedofthisright."ThisArticlepromotesrespectfortherighttolife.ofM. K.,Annex116. AffidavitofM¢§n:{§§;fi2419".29SeeAffidavitofSMAnnex100. SeealsoAffidavitofF. K.,Annex112;AffidavitofF. K,soSeeAffidavitofK. N.,Annex109/.\c.;goIl4~\,Annex114;Affidavit II135. TheCommissionreiteratedintheCommunicationForumofConsriifnirvSierraLeonethattherighttolifeisthefulcrumofallotherrights;itisthefountainthroughwhichotherrightsflowandthatanyviolationofthisrightwithoutdueprocessamountstoarbitrarydeprivationoflife.*ITheUNHumanRightsCommitteeemphasisesthattherighttolife"concernstheentitlementofindividualstobefreefromactsandomissionsthatareintendedormaybeexpectedtocausetheirunnaturalorprematuredeath,aswellastoenjoyalifewithdignity".32I136. Thedefinitionofindigenouspeopleshowsthatthiscategoryofthepopulationisdistinguishedbyitsumbilicalrelationshipwithitslivingenvironment. Thisbeingthecase,theCommissionnotesthatthelinkbetweenthemassevictionofanindigenouspeoplefromtheirlivingenvironment,withoutadequateremedy,andtheirrighttolifeisparticularlynarrow,giventhatthisisanon-derogablerightunderinternationallaw.33137. Asaresult,ifindigenouspeoplesarcdisplacedwithoutresettlementunderthesamelivingconditions,theirlivesarethreatened. Forinstance,inYnkycAxnv. Paraguay,theInter-AmericanCourtruledthattheconsequenceoftheevictionofindigenouspeoplesfromtheirancestrallandscouldconstituteaviolationofArticle4(righttolife),ifthecommunity'slivingconditionsareincompatiblewiththeprinciplesofhumandignity.*!ltthusincorporatedtherighttolifeintotheelementsof"pul1Ii¢illl4'r1'sl"initsjurisprudence.138. IntheEndoroiscase,theCommissionconcludedthatoneoftheobligationsthattheStatemustrespectasguarantorinordertoprotectandensuretherighttolifeistocreateminimumlivingconditionscompatiblewiththedignityofthehumanpersonandnottocreateconditionsthatpreventorimpedesuchdignity. Itinsistedthatinthisregard,theStatehasadutytotakepositiveandconcretemeasurestorealisetherighttolife,especiallyinthecamofvulnerableandexposedpersons,whoseprotectionbecomesofhighpriority."."/,QlU*£.=.\cut.,para,\¢a~=£'»t.av./. I.axCommunication223/98ForumofConsci¢ncev. SierraLeone(2000)ACHPRPara20.azUNHumanRightsCommitteeGeneralCommentNo.36onArticle6oftheInternationalCovenantonCivilandpoliticalRights,para333SeeGeneralCommentNo.3ontheAfricanCharteronHumanandPeoples'Rightsontherighttolife(Article4),para1uInteramericanCourtofHumanRights,caseofYakyeAxaIndigenousCommunityv. Paraguay,JudgementofJune17,2005;para160178asCommunication276/03-op./exl.if.:7`\J°472A...,.ll1O¢.""._.,,.....uII 139. ItisnotdisputedthattheBatwawereevictedfromtheirancestralhome,sincethenationalparkexists. Thereisnoevidencethattheyhavebeenresettledelsewhere. Inparticular,thetestimoniesanddocumentsavailabletotheCommissionprovideampleevidencethatbyexpellingtheBatwafromtheirlivingenvironment,theDRChascreatedconditionsthatnegativelyaffectstheirpotentialforadecentlife. TheReportoftheAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'RightsWorkingGrouponIndigenousPopulations/Communities,asproducedbytheComplainants,statesthatindigenouspeoplesintheDemocraticRepublicofCongohavebeendrivenoffthelandtheyhaveoccupiedforcenturiesandarecurrentlylivinginconditionsunderwhichtheyaredeprivedofeconomic,socialandculturalrights."140. ItfollowsthatArticle4hasbeenviolatedbytheRespondentState. OntheallegedviolationofArticle8141. Article8stipulates:"Freedomofconscience,professionandfreepracticeofreligionshallbeguaranteed. Noonemay,subjecttolmandorder,besubmittedtomeasuresrestrictingtheexerciseofflzesefreedoms". Thisprovisionprotectstherighttofreedomofreligion. ItisanobligationforStatestorespectandensurefreedomofconscience,professionandfreepracticeofreligion.142. InthecaseAfricanCommissiononHumrmandPeoples'Rightsv. RepublicofKenyn,theAfricanCourtonHumanandPeoples'Rights(theAfricanCourt)observedthatinthecontextoftraditionalsocieties,whereformalreligiousinstitutionsoftendonotexist,thepracticeandprofessionofreligionareusuallyinextricablylinkedwithlandandtheenvironment."Inthisrespect,itplacedparticularemphasisonindigenoussocieties. IntheviewoftheAfricanCourt,inthesesocieties,thefreedomtoworshipandengageinreligiousceremoniesdependsonaccesstolandandthenaturalenvironment."Itconcludedthat,anyimpedimentorinterferencewithaccessinglandconstitutesaviolationoftherighttoengageinreligiousritualswithconsiderablerepercussionsontheenjoymentoftheirfreedomofworship.143. TheCommissionhas,initsjurisprudence,examinedthisexistingrelationshipbetweenlandandreligion. Itnotedthatreligionisoftenlinkedtoland,culturalasReportoftheAfricanCommission'sWorkingGrouponIndigenousPopulations/Communities,ResearchandinformationvisittotheDemocraticRepublicofCongo,adoptedatthe49"'OrdinarySessionheldfrom28April-12May2011,p.73"ApplicationNo.006/2012-AfricanCommissiononHumanandpeoples'Rightsv. Kenya,,.,.,. Eg&E'ar38Ibidem28p2r?1b4I beliefsandpractices,andthatthefreedomofworshipandengageinsuchactsiscentraltofreedomofreligion?"Furthermore,theAfricanCommissionconsideredintheCommunicationFreeLegnlAssistanceGroupv. Zaire,thattherighttofreedomofconscienceallowsindividualsorgroupstoworshiporassembleinrelationtoareligionorbelief,andtoestablishandmaintainplacesinrelationthereto,aswellastoperformceremoniesinaccordancewiththepreceptsofthereligionorbelief.144. Statesshouldensurethatthisrightisrespected. InaccordancewithArticle8,theCommissionconsidersthattherestrictionthatcouldbeplacedontheexerciseofthisrighttofreedomofconscience,professionandfreepracticeofreligionismaintaininglawandorder. However,astheAfricanCourtindicatedintheOgickease,thisrestrictionmustbe"necessaryandreasonable".4*l145. BasedonthesubmissionsoftheComplainantsandwitnesses,theCommissionnotesthatthelandoftheKahuzi-BiegaforestisfortheBatwaasanctuaryfortheirreligiousandspirituallifeandthattheirreligiousbeliefsandpracticesareinextricablylinkedtotheirtraditionalwayoflifeintheforest."146.ltfurthernotesfromthesametestimonies,aswellasfromtheReportoftheCommission'sWorkingGrouponindigenousPopulations/CommunitiesaspresentedbytheComplainants,thatthelocalauthoritiesrefusetoallowtheBatwatoreturntotheKahuzi-Biegaforest,allegingthattheyposeathreattotheecosystems."Onthecontrary,thisReportbytheCommission'sWorkingGroupindicatesthatthisisonlyapretextbecause,traditionally,theBatwahaveneverhuntedgorillasanddonotdestroytheforestbycuttingdowntrees."147. Consequently,andinthepresentcase,theCommissionconsidersthattheevictionoftheBatwapeoplefromtheirancestrallands,withabanontheirreturn,constitutesaninfringementontheirfreedomofworship,andaviolationofArticle8oftheAfricanCharter. OntheallegedviolationofArticle1439Communication276/03-op.cit.,para1640ApplicationNo.006/2012AfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoplesRightsv. Kenya,para167."1Seepara395oftheComplainants'submissionsonthemeritsazSeetheReportoftheAfricanCommissiononHumanandpeoples'RightsWorkingGrouponIndigenousPopulations/ComoptedbytheAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'Rightsatits28"'OrdinarySessiP..,Z43ibidem29 148. Article14stipulatesthat"therighttopropertyshallbeguarantmfd. Ifmayonlybeencroaclzeduponintheinterestofpublicneedorinliegeneralinterestofthecommunityandinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofappropriatelaws".»149. InthecasebetweentheA/InlawiAfricanAssociationandOthersInMauritania,thelandwasconsidered"property".**TheAfricanCommission,intheOgonicase,alsofoundthatthe"righttoproperty"includesnotonlytherighttohaveaccesstoone'spropertyandtopreventinvasionandencroachmentofthatproperty,butalsotherighttopossession,useandcontrolofthatpropertyintotalpeaceofmind,asdesiredbyitsowners. Indeed,therighttoproperty,asunderstoodbycivillaw,includesH5115,nbusnsandjructus.150. TheAfricanCommissionalsonotesthat,accordingtotheEuropeanCourtofHumanRights,"propertyrights"canalsoincludeeconomicresourcesandrightstothecommunitylandofapplicants. Inthisregard,inthecaseofDognrandOthersv. Turkey,althoughtheapplicantswereunabletoproduceatitledeedtothelandtakenfromthembytheTurkishauthorities,theEuropeanCourtofllumenRightsneverthelessobservedthat:"thenotion"possessions"inArticle1hasmiHLllollolllollsmeaningwhichisrerfninlynotlimitedtoownershipofphysicalgoods:certainotherrightsandinterestsconstitutingassetscanalsoberegardedas"propertyrights",Findthusas"possessions"forthepurposesofthisprovision."151. TheAfricanCommissionnotesthatArticles26and27oftheUNDeclarationonIndigenousPeoplesusetheterms"trmli!iomlllyoccupiedorused". Thismeansthatitisrecognisedthatindigenouspeopleareentitledtoownershipoftheirancestrallandunderinternationallaw,evenintheabsenceofatitledeed. ThispositionwastakenintheMuyagna(Sumo)AwnsIingniCommunityv. Nicaragua1udgment. Inthiscaseof31August2001,theInter-AmericanCourtdecidedthatloggingconcessionsgrantedtoprivateinvestorsbytheNicaraguanauthorities,inanareaclaimedbyatribalcommunity,constitutedaviolationofthepropertyrightsoftheapplicants,whoweremembersofthatcommunity,guaranteedbytheConvention(Art.21).45152. Despitetheabsenceofanyexplicitreferencetoacommunity'srighttoproperty,theCourt,inaprogressiveinterpretation,includedthecustomaryrightof044Communicatlon54/9161/9198/93164/97_196/97210/98MalawiAfricaAssociation,AmnestyInternational,MsSarrDiop,UnioninterafricoinedesdroitsdelHommeetRADDHO,Collect#desvervesorayontsDroit,Associationmouritaniennedesdroitsdel'Hommev. Mauritania(2000)ACHPRpara128asInterAmericanCourtofHumanRights,CaseofMayagna(Sumo)AwasTinqniCommuniyv. NicanJudgementofAugust31,2001;para15530*-!.. Ate,gasango.rAAQ./,...\".nI:rI;».é"'#JI..j,..;\ indigenouscommunitiestousetheirancestrallandsforagricultureandhuntinginordertoblockanenvironmentallyharmfulproject.153. Foritspart,theInter-AmericanCommissioninterpretedtherighttolifetoprotectcommunitiesthreatenedbyenvironmentaldegradation. InthecaseoftheYarzomnniIndigenousPeopleofBrazil,theCommissionon5March1985consideredtheconnectionbetweenthedestructionoftheenvironmentandnaturalresourcesandtherighttolife,inresponsetoaCommunicationsubmittedbyYanomaniindigenouspeopleofBrazil.154. Inthisregard,theCommission'sWorkingGrouponIndigenousPopulations/CommunitiesrecognisedthatsomeAfricanminoritiesarcfacingdispossessionoftheirlandsandthatspecialmeasuresareneededtoensuretheirsurvival,inaccordancewiththeirtraditionsandcustoms.*6b. C.d.155. Inviewoftheforegoing,theAfricanCommissiondrawsthefollowingconclusions:a.thetraditionalpossessionoftheirlandbyindigenouspeoplehaseffectsequivalenttothoseofatitlegrantedbytheState;traditionalpossessionimpliesthatindigenouspeoplehavetherighttodemandofficialrecognitionandregistrationoftitledeed;indigenouscommunitymemberswhohaveinvoluntarilylefttheirancestralland,orwhohavelostpossessionofit,retaintherighttopossessionandownership,eveniftheydonothavelegaltitle,unlessthelandhasbeenlegallytransferredtobonafidethirdparties;andMembersofanindigenouscommunitywhohaveinvoluntarilylostpossessionoftheirland,wheresuchlandhasbeenlawfullytransferredtobonafidethirdparties,areentitledtorestitutionofthelandinquestionortoobtainotherlandofequalsizeandquality.156. However,totalorpartialexpropriationisnotinitselfaviolationofArticle14oftheCharteraslongasitisdoneinaccordancewiththelaw. Indeed,Article14oftheAfricanCharterprovidesforadoubleconditionshouldsuchexpropriationbeunavoidable:itmustbedone"intheinterestofpuhlicneedorinthegeneralinterestofthecommzmih/"and"innccorrfmzcvwiththeprovisionsofappropriatelaws".\46SeetheReportoftheAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'RightsWorkingGrouponIndigenousPopulations/Communities,ado9i,1f1§75(ricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'Rightsatits28"OrdinarySession,p.26and2'l..;.°"<,<~21*'"'1..fac31l.*L 157. The"publicutilitytest"ismorebroadlyunderstoodinthecaseofencroachmentonindigenouslandthaninthecaseofindividualownership. Indeed,thisconditionismorestringentwhenappliedtoancestrallandrightsofindigenouspeoples. In2005,thispointwashighlightedbytheSpecialRapporteuroftheUNSub-CommissiononthePromotionandProtectionofHumanRightsinthefollowingterms:"Limitations,ifnm/,ontherightofindigenouspeoplestotheirnaturall('SOlHC€SmusfflouionlyfromthemosturgentmidcompellinginterestoftheState. Few,ifany,limitationsonindigenousresourcerightsareappropriate,becausetheindigenousownershipoftheresourcesisassociatedwiththemostimportantand.limdamentalhumanrights,includingtherightstolife,food,self-determination,shelterandtherighttoexistasape0ple."'*7158. Initsownjurisprudence,theCommissionnotesthat"...thereasonforthelimitationsmasthestrictlyproportionalrindabsolutelynecessaryinrelationtoliehenejilsirzvoI1>ed".159.ltalsorecallsthecaseofHandysidevUK,inwhichtheEuropeanCommissionofHumanRightsstatedthatanyconditionsorrestrictionsimposedonarightmustbe"proportionatetothelegitimateaimpursued".'"'TheAfricanCommissionthereforeconsidersthatanylimitationofrightsmustbeproportionatetothelegitimateneedandmustbetheleastrestrictivemeasurepossible.160. Inthiscase,itisclearthattheBatwa,anindigenouspeople,weredispossessed,withoutcompensationorresettlement,oftheirancestralland,whereasitwasnotproventhattheirpresenceorcontinuedpresenceonthesitewasharmful,giventheirwayoflife,whichconsistedoffoodgatheringandhunting.161. ItfollowsthatArticle14wasviolated. OntheallegedviolationofArticle16162. Article16oftheAfricanCharterstatesthat"t. Even/individualshnllhavetherighttoenjoythebestattninnMestateofphysimlandmentalhealth.2. StalePartiestothepresentChartershallfakethenecessarymeasurestoprotectthehealthoftheirpeoplefindtoensurethattheyreceivemedievalattentionwhentheyresick". ThisprovisionoftheCharteradvocatestherighttohealth.'"SeeCommunlcatlon276/03-op.cit.,para212asCaseofHandysidev. UnitedKingdom,ECHR,para471""'.'/4U;\UH1~h.un£0. Iii%»1£\arl,I,IK2if"E. 163. Therighttothebestattainablestateofhealthincludestherighttohealthfacilities,goodsandserviceswhichmustbeguaranteedtoallwithoutdiscriminationofanykind."Therighttothebestattainablestateofhealthreferstotheavailability,accessibility,acceptabilityandqualityofhealthcare,servicesandconditionsanditisanobligationfortheStatetorespect,fulfilandprotectthisright. AsexplainedbytheCommissioninthePretoriaDeclarationonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsinAfrica,healthcare,servicesandconditionsentail,amongotherthings,accesstohealthservicesforall,accesstotheminimumessentialfoodtopreventmalnutrition,accesstohousing,safedrinkingwater,reproductivehealthandprotectionagainstmajorinfectiousdiseases.50164. TheCommissionalsonotesthatthereisacloselinkbetweentherighttohealthandthelivingenvironmentofindigenouspeoples. Indeed,indigenouspeoplesfindintheirlivingenvironmenttheresourcesnecessaryfortheirgrowthanddevelopmentintermsofphysicalandmentalhealth.51InitsDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoplesadoptedon13September2007,theUnitedNationsGeneralAssemblyrevisitedthispoint.ltstressedthatindigenouspeopleshavetherighttotheirtraditionalmedicinesandtherighttomaintaintheirhealthpractices,includingtheconservationoftheirvitalmedicinalplants,animalsandminerals.52Thus,removingthemfromthisenvironment,withoutprovidingthemwithasimilar,ifnotidentical,environment,undeniablyconstitutesaviolationoftheirrighttohealth.165. Inthiscase,theCommissionconcurswiththeComplainantsthattheKahuzi-BiegaforestistheonlysourceofmedicinalplantsnecessaryforthetraditionalhealthpracticesoftheBatwaandthattheseplantswerepartoftheresourcesavailabletothemtotreatvariousillnessesfromwhichtheysuffer. ThisisbasedonthevarioustestimoniesavailabletotheCommission. Forexample,M. M.,oneoftheBatwaexpelledfromtheKahuzi-Biegapark,said:"Iwnlchwithdreadnsourgrnudchildrvn0llendir'ofdisvnsestlmfcouldlmvz*beencuredinHu'PNKBusing\.2.\¢;.."Communication241/01op.cit.,para8050SeePretoriaDeclarationonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsinAfrica,17September2004,para7"Inthisregard,fortheBAKApopulationsofEastandSouthCameroon,"theforestislourslife"(DieudonnéTombombo),and"fortheBaku,itisasupermarket,ahospitalandabank"(RenéNdameyang). InterviewbyJoslaneKouagheu,forLeMondeAfrique,forthearticle"AuCameroon,locartographicparticipative,un"puissantoutlet"dereconnaissancedesPygmies"[InCameroon,participatorymappingisa"powerfultool"forrecognisingPygmiesl,publishedon24Auust202152Article24oftheUnitedNatio..*§e¢l§¢R.°ntheRightsofIndigenouspeoples,adoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyon13September2op{,.,w"''1I/'¢*\nI.'f:rgo33i.i~"Zu.l.%."v,x ozlrmedicinalplantsaswellaspregnantwomen,mostofwhomareoperatedoninlzospitalsandunabletolandthemoneytopaytheirhospitalhiIls".53166. Kahuzi-BiegaParkhasledthemtoliveunderdifficultconditionswithnoaccesstohealthcare. Forexample,K. M.states:"MyfamilymidIarefindingifdifficulttolivewhereasOllflandaridresourcesinthePNKBprovideduswitheverything...[...]Idonothavehealthinsuranceundhavetopayforaccesstohealthcare,wethelandlesspoorwilldiewithoutreceivingappropriatecareanddeprivedofaccesstomedicinalplanisiisuallyfozmdinthepark....[...]Oursickpeopledieathomebecausethehospitalwillnottreatuswithoutmoneyandtheprincipleofpayingadepositbeforegoingtothehospital.fortreatment. Atthislien/moment,wehavenseriouslyillchildhaveundhisparentshavebeenaskedtopuyfortreat1nent."54Asaresult,thelackofaccesstopublicservicesprovidedbytheStateaggravatesthephysicalhealthoftheBatwa. TheCommissionalsonotesthattheremovaloftheBatwafromthe167. TheallegationsindicatethattheBatwawereevictedandnotresettledinasimilarsetting,andthattheywerenotprovidedwithanyfacilities. Itfollowsthattheirrighttothehighestattainablestandardofphysicalandmentalhealth,asunderstoodbythem,hasbeenviolated. OntheallegedviolationofArticle17168. Article17stipulates:"1. Everyonehastherighttoeducation.2. Even]individualmayfreelytakepartintheculturalheofhiscommunity.3. ThepromotionandprotectionofmoralsandtrnditionrzlvaluesrecognizedbythecommunityslmllbethedutyoftheState". OntheallegedviolationofArticle17(1)169. UnderArticle17(1)"Everyone/mstherighttoeducation". TheComplainantsallegethatfollowingtheevictionoftheBatwafromtheKahuzi-Biegaforest,theRespondentStateviolatedtherighttoeducationinallitsaspects.170. InitsGeneralCommentNo.13ontherighttoeducation,theUNHumanRightsCommitteestatedthatthisrightisfundamentalinitselfandisanindispensable;_¢»Y../"°g.*1/tr".;1soSeeAffidavitofFILM.,Annex103soSeeAffidavitofK. M.,Annex99i;*la11734 meansofrealizingotherinherenthumanrights.55Itincludestherighttoalllevelsofeducationandtraining,onthebasisofintellectualcapacity. Moderneducationisoneofthewaysinwhichpeoplecanliftthemselvesoutofpovertyandidentifyanddefendtheirrights. I171.172. Therighttoeducationaffectsthegrowth,developmentandwelfareofhumanbeings,particularlychildrenandyouth.5"TheCommissionrecognisesthat,asafundamentalright,educationistheprimaryvehiclebywhicheconomicallyandsociallymarginalisedchildrenandadultscanliftthemselvesoutofpovertyandobtainthemeanstoparticipatefullyintheircommunity.57Thus,itplaysavitalroleintheprotectionofhumanrightsinthatitsaimistodevelopintellectualcapacityandtherebyenableindividualstoclaimtheirrightsatalllevels. Moreover,educationshouldbedirectedtothefulldevelopmentofthehumanpersonalityandtothestrengtheningofrespectforhumanrightsandfundamentalfreedoms. Asanempowermentright,educationistheprimaryvehiclebywhicheconomicallyandsociallymarginalizedadultsandchildrencanliftthemselvesoutofpovertyandobtainthemeanstoparticipatefullyintheircommunities."173. Basedontheforegoing,theCommissionnotesthateducationisoneofthewaysinwhichpeoplecanliftthemselvesoutofpovertyandidentifyanddefendtheirrights. Inparticular,itenablesmarginalizedpopulationstoparticipatefullyincommunitylife. Furthermore,therighttoeducationalsoincludestherighttotraditionalandancestralknowledgeforindigenouspeoples.174. Inthiscase,theevictionoftheBatwafromtheirancestralforestdeprivedthemofthisformofteaching,astheelderswerenolongerabletopassontheirknowledge,particularlymedicinalknowledge,totheyoungergenerationsinsitu,asstatedinthevarioustestimoniesmadebymembersofthiscommunitywhowerevictimsofthiseviction. ThesetestimoniesallpointtothefactthatthereisknowledgerelatedtotheidentityoftheBatwafromwhichtheyssGeneralCommentNo.13oftheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsontheimplementationofArticle13ofthelntemationalCovenantoneconomic,SocialandCulturalRights;adoptedatthe21"Session,1999ssACHPR,PrinciplesandGuidelinesontheimplementationofeconomic,socialandculturalrightsintheAfricanCharteronHumanandPeoples'Rights,para69$7ACHPR,PrinciplesandGuidelinesontheimplementationofeconomic,socialandculturalrightsintheAfricanCharteronHumanandPeoples'Rights,para69ssGeneralCommentNo.13oftheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsonlhvimplementationofArticle13ofiuialCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights;adoptedatthe21"Session,l%*°;w,,.,.;*..rf._{4\3s.1.."I,,,.,uI..v*I benefitedwhileintheKahuzi-Biegaforestbuttowhichtheynolongerhaveaccess. Forexample,O. M.oneoftheBatwaexpelledstates:"TheForestwasourspaceforeducationandinitiationofyoimgpeopleintoadultl1ood".59N. B. I.,anothervictimoftheexpulsionreiteratesthat"thislackofaccessfotheirlandandnaturalresourcesmakesthemmorevulnerablebecausetheynowfacedificziltiesinaccessingbasicsocialservicessuclzaseducation".'*0Inthisregard,theCommissionconcludesthatfailuretoprovideaccesstosuchknowledgeconstitutesaviolationoftherighttoeducationprotectedundertheprovisionsofArticle17(1). OntheallegedviolationofArticle17(2)and17(3)175. UnderArticle17(2)and(3)"2. EveryindividualmayNeelytakepartintheculturallifeofhiscommunity.3. ThepromotionandprotectionofmoralsmidtraditionalvaluesrecognizedbythecommunityshallbethedutyoftheState". BasedontheconsiderationsandargumentspresentedbytheComplainants,understandingoftheconceptof'culture'withinthemeaningofArticle17(2)and17(3)oftheCharteranditsconceptioninthecontextofindigenouspeoplesisofparticularimportanceinthepresentCommunication.176. CulturewasdefinedasfollowsbytheUNESCOWorldConferenceonCulturalPoliciesintheMexicoCityDeclaration:"initswidestsense,culturemaynowbesaidfewbethewholecomplexofdistinctioespiritual,material,intellectualmidemotionalfeaturesthatcharacterizensocietyorsocialgroup. Itincludesriotonlytheartsandletters,butalsomodesoflife,fhejiindamentalrightsofthehumanbeing,valuesystems,traditionsandbeliefs".61Later,intheFribourgDeclaration,agroupofinternationalexperts,the'FribourgGroup',decidedthat:"Theterm"culture"coversthosevalues,beliefs,convictions,languages,knowledgeandthearts,traditions,institutionsandwaysoflifethroughwhichapersonoragroupexpressestheirhumanityandthemeaningsthattheygivetotheirexistenceandtotheird8Z'l'lOPl1l€l1f".62177. AccordingtotheCharterforAfricanCulturalRenaissance,adoptedbythe6*OrdinarySessionoftheAssemblyheldon24Ianuary2006inKhartoum,"cultureshouldberegardedasthesetofdistinctivelinguistic,spiritual,material,f"£?*rrg. N1*la:"FribourgGrqu§7"'W./sof.al:-".»'J.,...{:ssAffidavitofO. M.,Annex101soAffidavitofN. Bl,Annex161MexicoCityDeclarationonCulturalPolicies. WorldConferenceonCulturalPolicies,MexicoCity,26July6August1982soArticle2oftheFribourgDeclarationonCulturalRights,adoptedinFribourgon7May2007Foundingtext,dated1993(cf:http://www.droitshumains.org/ONU_GE/Comite_Drtcult/declafribourg.htmTheFribourgDeclarationontheresultof20yearsofworkbyaninternationalgroupofexperts,r,..knownasthe`,Agah36 intellectualandemotionalfeaturesoftlzesocietyornsocialgroup,andthatitencompasses,inadditiontoartamliterature,lifestyles,waysoflivingtogether,valuesystems,traditionsandheliefs".63178. InitsMexicoCityDeclarationonCulturalIdentity,UNESCOstatedthat:"Everyculturerepresentsnuniquemidirreplneenblebodyofvaluessinceeachpeople'straditionsmzdformsofexpressionareitsmosteffectivemeansofdemorzstrahngitspresenceinthervorlrl.""'*179. TheAfricanStates,intheframeworkofthe1976CulturalCharterforAfricaadoptedbytheHeadsofStateandGovernmentoftheQrganisationofAfricanUnityatitsThirteenthSessionheldinFortLouis,Mauritius,from2to5]uly1976,werealreadyaware"thatanypeoplehastheinalienablerighttoorganiseitsculturallifeinhillliunnonywithitspolitical,economic,social,plzilosopliicalandspiritualideas"and"thatanylmmansocietyisnecessarilygovernedbyrulesandprinciplesbasedontraditions,languages,waysoflifeandthoughtinotherwordsonnsetofculturalvalueszvlziclireflectitsdistinctivecharacterandpersonality"65180. IntheEnrioroiscase,theCommissionheldthatculturereferstothatcomplexwholewhichincludesaspiritualandphysicalassociationwithone'sancestralland,knowledge,belief,art,law,morals,customs,andanyothercapabilitiesandhabitsacquiredbyhumankindasamemberofsociety-thesumtotalofthematerialandspiritualactivitiesandproductsofagivensocialgroupthatdistinguishitfromothersimilargroupsandthatculturalidentityencompassesagroup'sreligion,language,andotherdefiningcharacteristics*181. Referringtoallthesedifferentdefinitionsandconsiderations,theCommissionnotesthatduetoitscomplexity,thenotionofcultureshouldbeunderstoodinabroadersense. Indeed,assummarizedbytheAfricanCourtinthecaseoftheAfricanCommissionOHllumrznandPeoples'Rightsv. RepublicofKen/a,cultureshouldbeconstruedinitswidestsense"encompassingthetotalzvrzyoflu?ofnparticulargroup,includingthegroup'slanguages,symbolssuchasdressingcodesandthelll(llZl1L'fflu'groupconstructsshelters,engagesincertaineconomiczzctuntzes,isCharterforAfricanCulturalRenaissance,adoptedbythe6"'OrdinarySessionoftheAssemblyheldon24January2006inKhartoum,Sudan64MexicoCityDeclarationonCulturalPolicies. WorldConferenceonCulturalPolicies,MexicoCity,26July6August198265SeethePreambleofthe1976CulturalCharterforAfricaadoptedbytheHeadsofStateandGovernmentoftheOrganisationofAfricanUnityatitsThirteenthSessionheldinPortLouis,Mauritius,from2to5]uly19764~®#?66Communication276/03-op.cit,para2§'.5>9;¢r.*£"'.4'a.\n'I~'.v,!1,1..... I producesitemsforsurvival,ritualssuchasthegroup'sparticularwallofdealingwithproblemsmidpracticingspiritualceremonies,iderztuicationandvenerationofitsownheroesormodelsandsharedvaluesofitsmemberswhichreflectitsdistinctivecharacterandpersonality".67182. Onthisbasis,theCommissionisoftheviewthatprotectinghumanrightsalsorequiresrespectfor,andprotectionof,theirreligiousandculturalheritageessentialtotheirgroupidentity,includingbuildingsandsitessuchaslibraries,churches,mosques,temples,synagoguesandsimilarplaces."183. Inthecontextofindigenouspeoples,thepreservationoftheircultureisofparticularimportance. Indeed,astheAfricanCourtnotes,thesepopulationshaveoftenbeenaffectedbyactivitiesofothergroupsanddeliberatopoliciesofexclusion,exploitation,forcedassimilation,discriminationandotherformsofpersecution."Cnthispoint,theAfricanCommissionagreeswiththeComplainantsthatinitsinterpretationoftheAfricanCharter,ithasrecognisedthedutyoftheStatetotoleratediversityandtointroducemeasuresthatprotectidentitygroupsdifferentfromthoseofthemajority/dominantgroup.70184. Inthisrespect,itconsidersthatArticle17(2)requiresgovernmentstotakemeasures"aimedntthecoriseniation,developmentandd1]§'usionofeulture,"suchaspromoting"culturalidentityasnfactorofmutualappreciationamongindividuals,groups,nationsandregions,promotingawarenessandenjoymentofculfnralheritageofnationnlethnicgroupsandminoritiesandofindigenoussectorsofthepopulation".71185. Inthiscase,theCommissionconcurswiththeComplainantsthattheevictionoftheBatwafromtheirancestrallanddeprivesthemoftheirculturalandreligiousreferencesasunderstoodaboveinitsvarioussenses,andconsequently,nolongerallowsthemtotakepartfreelyintheculturallifeofthecommunityoftheDemocraticRepublicofCongo. ThevarioustestimoniesgatheredprovethattheseBatwaarenolongerabletoengageintheirreligiousandculturalpracticesthatwereassociatedwiththeKahuzi-Biegaforest.186. ThisisthecaseforM. M,oneoftheBatwaexpelledfromKahuzi-BiegaNationalPark,whotestifiesasfollows:"Thecausesfortherfisnpperlrnnceofourculturearemainlyrelatedtolackofaccesstooz¢rtraditionallrmdandtothevarious67ApplicationNo.006/2012,AfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'Rightsv. RepublicofKenya,Para179"Communication276/03-op.cit,para241.69ApplicationNo.006/2012AfricanCommission70Communication276/03-op.cit.,para24671Communication276/03-op.cit.,para2eLandPeoplesRightsv. Kenya,para180.\\.\;,|.|l displacementsthatourcommunityhassuffered. HowcanweteacholIrchildrenaboutOlliculturewhenweareoutsideofourownhomeandhowcanonebeinitiatedintonculturewhenonedoesnotknowtheinsandoutsofthatculhzre?[...]Allourritualsareassociatedwiththeforestwheretherearerivers,sacredsitesandspeciessuchastheMuliumlvaliunihawhichreflectthecultureandtherighttoresideinthecommunityofadignitary".72M. M.,anothermemberoftheBatwacommunityexpelledfromtheKahuzi-BicgaNationalParkwonders:"WwecanwepracticeOlliritualswhenweareoutsideourancestrallands?OurchildrenwillnolongerheabletoknowourculturesandpracticeourritualssoHStounderstandOlliculturesandr»alues".73187. Thus,onthebasisofalltheseobservations,theCommissionconsidersthattheDRCdidnottakeintoconsiderationtherighttocultureasenvisagedinthecontextofindigenouspeoples.ltthusviolatedArticle17(2)and(3)oftheCharter. OntheallegedviolationofArticle21(1and2)188. TheComplainantsallegeviolationofArticle21(1)and(2)whichprovidesthat:"1. Allpeoplesshallfreelydisposeoftheirwvnlllzandnalumlresources. Thisrightshalllu'vxvrciserlinthe¢'xclusiovinhfrvslofthepeople. InHO((lS('shnllnpeopleLu'tlvprivedofif.2. Incaseofspolirzlion,thedispossessedpeopleshallhavetherighttothelnwhllrvcovern/ofitspropcrh/aswellHStoonnrlvquntecompc'nsalioll."Thisprovisionupholdstherightofpeoplestofreelydisposeoftheirwealthandnaturalresources. ThedraftersoftheAfricanCharterobviouslywantedtoremindAfricangovernmentsofthecontinent'spainfullegacyandrestorecooperativeeconomicdevelopmenttoitstraditionalplaceattheheartofAfricanSociety."189.indeed,theAfricanCourtinitsjurisprudenceconsidersthattheCharterprimarilytargetsthepeoplescomprisingthepopulationsofthecountriesstrugglingtoattainindependenceandnationalsovereignty.75AndtheCommissionnotes,inSocialandEconomicRightsActionCentre(SERAC)midCvnlrefvrEconomicandSocialRights(CESR)v. Nigeria,thattheoriginofArticle21maybetracedtocolonialism,duringwhichcolonialpowersexploitedthe71AffidavltofM. M.,Annex10273AffidavitofM. M. Annex10374Communication155/96SocializmirEconomicRightsActionCvnfrc(SERAC)m1r!CcnfrcforEcmmmicmidSocialRights(CLSR)v. Nigeria(2001)ACHPRpara5675ApplicationNo.006/2012-AfricimCommissiononHymnandPcophrs'Rightsv. Kim/a,para1J..`¢»u'»r._»/391ulla,IBl;..,¢. P,;1...r€..up,..../, naturalresourcesofAfricancountriestothedetrimentofAfricanpeoples.76TheaftermathleftAfrica'speopleandnaturalresourcesstillvulnerable.190. Notwithstandingthisinterpretationoriginatingfromaspecificcontext,theCommissionhasconsistentlyheldthatthisprovisionstillappliestogroupsbelongingtoaState77. Thus,ithasindicatedthattheterm"People"inthisArticle21canmeaneitheranypeopleofagivenStateora"people"withinthatState". Itisthereforeunderstandablethatbothcategoriesof'peoples'areentitledtotherightsguaranteedundertheprovisionsofArticle21.191. ThisviewisalsosharedbytheAfricanCourt. Indeed,regardingthequestionastowhethertheenjoymentoftherightsrecognisedtothepeoplesconstitutingthepopulationofagivenStatecanbeextendedtosub-stateethnicgroupsandcommunitieswhicharepartofthatpopulation,thisCourthasrespondedintheaffirmative79. Itdoes,however,setaconditionthatsuchgroupsmustnotchallengethesovereigntyorterritorialintegrityoftheStatewithouttheState'sconsentintheexerciseoftheirrights.192. Thus,governmentshaveadutytoprotecttheircitizens,notonlybyadoptingappropriatelegislationandeffectivelyenforcingit,butalsobyprotectingthemfromharmfulactivitiesthatmaybeperpetratedbyprivateactors(seeUniondesjeunesmfocats1). Chad12)**0. AsemphasisedbytheAfricanCourt,thisdutyrequiresapositiveobligationonthepartoftheStatetoactwhenevertherightsofthepeopleunderitsprotectionarethreatened;andthismustbedoneinaccordancewithhumanrightsinstruments.193. Morespecifically,thesituationdescribedandobjectedtointhiscasecallsintoquestionthecriteria,conditionsandobjectivesfortheestablishmentofnationalparks. Indeed,theissuethatarisesiswhethertheestablishmentofanationalparkmustnecessarilybetothedetrimentoftheprimaryoccupyingpopulation.inotherwords,ifthepurposeofcreatingaparkistoprotectbiodiversityforthegoodofall,shouldthewayoflife,cultureandenvironmentoftheindigenouspopulationsoccupyingitnotbetakenintoaccount?/..7°Communication155/96SocialandEconomicRightsActionCentre(SERAC)andCenlreforEconomicandSocialRights(CESR)v. Nigeria(2001)ACHPRpara56"idem,Paras5657"Communication328/06FrontdelibérotiondeIEtatduCabindaV. RepublicofAngolo(2013)para13079ApplicationNo.006/2012,AfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'Rightsv. Republicof"=;;§`.'.. Kenya,para198-199"Communication155/96-op.cit.paraS/...¢m.~f=iiIQ... Q.. Q,.*=@*l.400l,.. 194. TheUNESCOConventionontheFrotectionoftheWorldCulturalandNaturalHeritage,initsPart2,entitled"NationalandInternationalProtectionoftheCulturalandNaturalHeritage",statesinitsArticle5:"inordertoensurethattheculturalaridnaturalheritagesifzmfedontheirterritoryisprotectedandpreservednsejfertizieli/nspossibleanilthatitisenhancedasactivelyaspossiblenailerconditionsappropriatetoeachcountry,theStatesPartiestothisConventionshall('lItl('llllO!ltas.faraspossible:(a)toadoptageneralpolici/designer!toassignaffectiontotheculturalandrzatnralheritageinthelifeoftheColllfllllllll]/,aridtoincorporatetheprotectionofthatheritageintogeneralplanningprogrannnes"*l!.195. Inviewoftheforegoing,theestablishmentofanaturalsiteasanationalparkshouldnotbedonetothedetrimentoftheoriginaloccupants,especiallywhenitisanindigenouspeople,unlesstheStatecanprovethattheactionsofthesepopulationsareharmfultothesaidprotection.196. Inthiscase,theRespondentStatehasnotproducedanyevidencetoshowthatthechoiceoftheKahuzi-BiegaFarkwasnottothedetrimentoftheBatwapeople. Onthecontrary,itisclearfromthetestimoniesanddocumentsattheCommission'sdisposalthat,intheaftermathoftheestablishmentofthisPark,theBatwaweredeniedaccesstotheirancestrallands,whichcontainanumberofnaturalresources. TheCommissionalsonotesthattheDRChasexploitedthesenaturalresourcesorallowedotherpartiestodosowithoutconsultingthemorpayingthemcompensationforthebenefitsderivedfromtheseresources,andthatithascausedorfailedtopreventtheenvironmentaldegradationofthenaturalresourcesoftheirforest.197. Inthisregard,theCommissionrecallsthatithasalreadyrecognisedanumberofrightstoancestrallandfortheBatwapeople,includingtherightofuse(uses)andtherighttoenjoythefruitsArius).intheirnature,bothrightsimplytherighttoaccessandoccupythisforestinordertobenefitfromit. Itisclearthatinthiscase,bothrightshavebeenviolated.198. Fromalltheabove,theCommissionconcludesthatArticle21(1and2)oftheCharterhasbeenviolated. B1SeeA;ui¢-s§fEeuwescoConventionconcerningtheProtectionoftheWorldCulturalandNatural."3ii\"".41 OntheallegedviolationofArticle22199. Article22states:"1. Allpeoplesshallhavetherighttotheirecoorrzic,socialandculturalrlezveloprnent,will:dueregardtofheirfreerlomandidentity,andintheequalenjoymentofthecommonheritageofmankind2. Statesshallhavetheduty,individuallyorcollectively,toensuretheexerciseoftherighttodevelopment. Inlightofthecomplainants'allegations,theCommissionproposestoanalysethescopeoftherighttodevelopmentasitappliestoindigenouspeoples.200. TheUNDeclarationontheRighttoDevelopmentadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyon4December1986definestherighttodevelopmentasaninalienablerightbyvirtueofwhicheveryhumanpersonandallpeoplesareentitledtoparticipatein,contributeto,andenjoyeconomic,social,culturalandpoliticaldevelopmentinwhichallhumanrightsandfundamentalfreedomscanbefullyrealised". Lookingatitfromthisangle,therighttodevelopmentisarightthatisvestedinindividualsandpeoples. Indeed,astheDeclarationemphasises,thisrightalsoimpliestherealisationoftherightofpeoplestoself-determination,whichentailstheexerciseoftheirinalienablerighttofullsovereigntyoveralltheirnaturalwealthandresources".201. Therighttodevelopmentofindigenouspeopleshas,moreover,beenrecognisedintheUnitedNationsDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples. UnderArticle23oftheDeclaration,indigenouspeopleshave"therighttodefineandestablishprioritiesandstrategiesfortheexerciseoftheirrighttodevelopment""". Inordertoensuretherealisationofthisright,Stateshaveanobligationtoinvolveindigenouspeoplesintheplananddefinitionofhealth,housingandothereconomicandsocialprogrammesaffectingthem,and,asfaraspossible,intheiradministrationthroughtheirowninstitutions'!5.2()2. Thus,asArticle8ofthesameDeclarationemphasises,thecomponentsofthisrighttodevelopmentare,amongothers,"therighttofood,therighttohealth,therighttoeducation,housing,employment,[...]equitabledistributionofincome,theeliminationofallsocialinjusticesthrougheconomicandsocialreforms". Ultimately,therighttodevelopmentissimplyabouttheszArticle1oftheUnitedNationsDeclarationontheRighttoDevelopmentinitsResolution41/128of4December1986BEArticle2oftheUnitedNationsDeclarationontheRighttoDevelopmentinitsResolution41/128of4December1986asArticle23oftheUnitedNationsDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenouspeoples,Resolution61/295adoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyon13September2007asArticle23oftheUnitedNationsDeclarationontheRigadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyon13September2tpdiggnousPeoples,Resolution61/295\£C\\£Ynl IIparticipationofallpeopleinthedesignandimplementationofdevelopmentprogrammes.203. Statesaretheprimaryactorstoensureimplementationinthesensethattheyrepresentthepeopleandhavethemeansandlegitimacytoenactlawsortakethenecessarymeasurestoachievethisgoal. Thus,forexample,inAfricanCommissiononHrmmnandPeoples'Rightsiv. RepublicofKenyr1,theAfricanCourtheldthatthefailuretoinvolvetheOgiekinthedevelopmentanddefinitionofhealth,housingandothersocialprogrammesthataffectthemconstitutedaviolationofArticle22oftheCharter*. Similarly,inFndorois,theCommissionmadeitclearthatforanydevelopmentorprojectthatwouldhaveamajorimpactontheterritoryoftheErirlorois,theStatehasaresponsibilitynotonlytoconsultthecommunity,butalsotoobtaintheirfree,priorandinformedconsent,inaccordancewiththeircustomsandtraditions**7.204. Inthiscase,analysisofthevariousdocumentsandtestimoniesavailabletotheCommissionshowsthattheBatwawerenotconsultedbecausetheywereexpelledfromtheKahuzi-BiegaForest. Thishashadaseriousimpactontheirsocio-economicandculturaldevelopment. TheCommissionnotesthattheDRC,whichhasnotrespondedtotheargumentsoftheComplainants,hasnotprovidedevidencethatitwassatisfiedthattheBatwa,asanindigenouspeople,wereinvolvedinthisdevelopmentprogrammethataffectsthemdirectlyorindirectly.205. Inthesecircumstances,theCommissionconcludesthattheDRChasviolatedArticle22oftheCharter. OntheallegedviolationofArticle24.206. Article24oftheCharterstates:"AIlpeoplesslmllhavetherightto(1generalsatisfactoryvnzviroiiIiwnf,roizrliwivetoHaird(*velopment". AccordingtoFatimataDie,formerDirectoroftheInstitutdelaFrancophonepourjeDéveloppementDurable,"theviiviroiiiiiviiicmbedc'fimdasalljin'mitiiriilmillrulluriilvoiiiliiionslikelytoizfjluftlivingorganismsmidlillmmincliz'itic's""*'. Inthissense,oneofthemainobligationsthatStatesarecalledupontofulfilistoensurethatnatural86ApplicationNo006/2012AfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'Rightsv. RepublicofKenya,para210"Communication276/03op.cit.para291asFatimataDIAwasDirectoroftheInstitutdelaFrancophonepourjedéveloppementdurable,andthisdefinitioncomesoutofherintroductorywordsinissue98oftheRevueLiaisonEnergieFronaoplipmgoftheInstitutdelaFrancophonepourIeDéveloppement,whichcameoutinthe3"quarterof}014.§ec"t'-r.4,._./..43//I.e| andculturalconditionswhicharclikelytohaveanegativeimpactonhumanlifedonotchangeorareatleastimproved.207. Theimportanceoftherighttoasatisfactoryandcomprehensiveenvironmentfordevelopmentisrecognisedinmanyinternationalinstruments. Forexample,accordingtoRebeccaGRYNSPAN,thenAssociateAdministratoroftheUNDP(attheDevelopmentwithCultureandIdentityForum):"Statesmustrecogniseculturaldivrfrncesintheirlawsmidinstitutionsandinthecrenfionofpoliciestoensurethattheinterestsofcertaingroupsarellofignoredorsupplanted. Andthe/mustlosoinwaysthatdonotconflictwithotherliunmndevelopmentgoalsandstrategies,suchasImmurerights,building11conipetenfSfnfe,andensuringerpmlopportunifiesforcitizens".208. Furthermore,Article10oftheUnitedNationsDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoplesstates:"Indigenouspeoplesshallnotbeforciblyremovedfromtheirlandsorterritories. Norelocationshalltakeplaceivitfzoutthefree,priorandinformedconsentoftheindigenouspeoples(O7l(l'Vllt'(landagreement017fairandequitablecompensationand,wherepossible,theoptionofreturn". ThesameappliestoILOConvention169. ItsArticle2(1)(2)(b)states:"l. Governments,wiffitheparticipationofthepeoplesconcerned,shalldevelopcoordinatedandsystematicactiontoprotecttherightsofthesepeoplesaridtoensurerespectfortheirintegrity."Thisactionshallincludemeasuresto(b)promotethejiillrealizationofthesocial,economicandculturalrightsofthesepeoples,withduerespectfortheirsocialandculturalidentity,customsandtraditionsandinstitutions"89209. InitsArticle7,thesameILOConvention169emphasisesonthisrightofpeoplestoanenvironmentfavorabletodevelopmentinthefollowingterms"1. Thepeoplesconcernedshallhavetherighttodeterminetheirownprioritiesfortheprocessofdevelopmentnsitajkctstheirlives,beliefs,institutionsaridspiritualwell-beingandthelandstheyoccupyorothenoiseuse,andtoexercisensmuchcontrolnspossibleovertheirowneconomic,socialandculturaldevelopment. Furthermore,thesepeoplesshallparticipateintheformulation,implementationandevaluationofnationalandregionaldevelopmentplansandprogrammesthatmaydirectlyaffectthem.2. Theimprovementofthelivingaridworkingconditionsofthepeoplesconcernedandoftheirstandardofheulfhandeducation,withtheirparticipationandco~operation,shallbegivenpriorityintheoveralleconomicdevelopmentplansoftheregionstheysoArticle2(1)(2)(b)ofIL()Conventionits\<n\'ai.(,g\. L../f... I.!#;,""X`i81¢\is;5~:\I"Sia"!a;i1"IQ.,.p..., inhabit. Specificdevelopmentprojectsintheseregionsshallalsobedesignedtopromotesuchimprovement.3. Governmentsshallensurethat,whereappropriate,studiesarecarried0111inco-operationwiththepeoplesconcernedtoassessthesocial,spiritual,culturalanilenvironmentalimpactthatplanneddevelopmentactivitiesmayhaveonthem. Theresultsofsuchstudiesshallbeconsideredasafundamentalcriterionfortheimplementationofsuchactivities.4. Governmentsshalltakemeasures,inco-operationwiththepeoplesconcerned,toprotectaridpreservetheenvironmentiiitheterritoriestheyinhabit.210. Allthesetextsanddeclarationsrecognisetheimportanceofahealthyenvironment,aspartofeconomicandsocialrights,ontheunderstandingthattheenvironmentaffectsthequalityoflifeandthesafetyoftheindividual.211. IntheCommunicationSorfinlandEconomicRightsActionCentre(SERAC)andCentreforEconomicandSocialRights(CESR)pNigeria,theCommissionstatedthattherighttoahealthyenvironmentimposesobligationsonStatestotakereasonableandothermeasurestopreventpollutionandecologicaldegradation,topromoteenvironmentalconservationandtoensureenvironmentallysustainabledevelopmentanduseofnaturalresources". Inits2012Resolution224onNaturalResourcesGovernanceintherun-uptotheRio+20ConferenceonSustainableDevelopment,theCommissionhadalreadyconsideredthattheStatehastheprimaryresponsibilitytopreserveandprotectnaturalresources,togetherwithandintheinterestofthepeople"1.212. Thus,forexample,inactivitiesrelatedtoexploration,extraction,toxicwastemanagement,exploitationandgovernanceofnaturalresources,Statesarecalledupontoensurethatindependentsocialandhumanimpactassessmentsarecarriedout,inordertoguarantee,interalia,indigenousandcustomaryrights,andenvironmentalimpactassessments92.213. TheCommissionthereforeconsidersthatintheimplementationofitsactivities,theStatemusttakeintoaccountthespecificityoftheindigenouspopulationinordernottocreateanunfavourableenvironmentfortheirfulfillmentashumanbeings. Aswithallotherhumanrights,Stateshaveanobligationtorespect,protectandfulfil. Inthepresentcase,theCongoleseState,I90Communication155/96-opif.,para52.91Resolution224onaHumanRights-BasedApproachtoNaturalResourcesGovernanceACHPR/Res.224(LI)201292Resolution224onzH,urJ}éln. Rights. BasedApproachtoNaturalResourcesGovernanceACHPR/Res.224(Ll)20\€"`-Tp. I!8J'l.,ii\;I,aQ.\»Qe.,r..+..45 whichhasnotrespondedtothesubmissionsoftheComplainants,hasnotprovidedanyevidencethatithascompliedwiththerequirementsoftheprovisionsofArticle24aftertheevictionoftheBatwapeople. Inotherwords,theCommissionagreesthattheevictionoftheBatwafromtheKahuzi-BiegaForestdidnottakeintoaccountthenaturalandculturalconditionsthatarelikelytohaveanegativeimpactontheirlives. Itisclearthattheallegedviolationisestablished. OntheallegedviolationofArticle1oftheCharter214. ItisclearfromtheCommission'swell-establishedjurisprudencethataviolationofanyprovisionoftheCharterautomaticallyimpliesaviolationofArticle193.lhus,forexample,intheCommunicationKevinMgwnngnGurzmeundOthersv. Cameroon,theCommissionreiteratedthataviolationofanyprovisionoftheAfricanCharterautomaticallyconstitutesaviolationofArticle1insofarasitreflectsthefailureoftheStatePartytoadoptadequatemeasurestogiveeffecttotheprovisionsoftheAfricanCharter'94. Itthereforeconcludedthathavingfoundviolationsofseveralprovisionsinthecourseofitsanalysis,theRespondentStatehadviolatedArticle1"95.215. NotingthattherewasaviolationofanumberofArticlesoftheCharterinthiscase,theCommissionconcludesthattheDRChasthereforeviolatedArticle1. TheCommission'scommentsontheclaimsforcompensation216. TheComplainantsallegethattheyareentitledtoreparationandhavethereforemadeanumberofrequestsforreparation. TheCommissionnotesthattheAfricanCharterdoesnotcontainaspecificprovisiononreparationforviolationsoftherightsenshrinedtherein. However,inaccordancewithitsjurisprudence,itnotesthattheviolationoftherightsprotectedbytheChartergivesrisetoarightforreparation. Forexample,intheCommunicationIcrm-MarieAtangnnnMebnruv. RepublicofCameroon,theCommissionindicatedthatreparationcantakevariousformsdependingontherightsviolatedandthecircumstancesofthecase,rangingfromadministrative,legislativeandjudicialactionstomonetarycompensationf'.°'Communicatlon147/95149/965irDawdoK. Jawarav. TheGambia(2000)ACHPRpara46soCommunication266/03KevinMwangaGunmanetalv. Cameroon(2009)ACHPRpara21395bid96Communication416/12Jean-MarieAtanganaMebarav/RepublicofCameroon(2015)ACHPRpara46.,3"*i"...:.",.allllr/,\£g\\£1IIr. S?.""I..to.,1. Cr'f1.(/1=._,\.`?:xn,.*W..\. P"\gn..ofgJ..3if,al 7.17. Inthepresentcase,alsoonthebasisofthevariousconsiderationssetoutabove,theCommissionfindsthefollowingclaimsforcompensationtobejustified:l. ThedeclarationthattheDemocraticRepublicofCongoisinviolationofArticles1,2,4,8,14,17(1)-(3),21,22and24oftheAfricanCharter. Indeed,ascanbeseenfromtheabovedevelopments,theCommissionfoundthattheDRChadviolatedtheabove-mentionedArticlesoftheCharter.2. ThestatementthattheKahuzi-BiegaForesthasbeentheancestralhomeoftheBatwapeoplesincetimeimmemorial,andthatitsoccupationbytheBatwaisessentialtothepreservationoftheiridentity. TheCommissionhasnotedthattheBatwapeopleareanindigenouspeopleandasaresulttheirwayoflifeisintimatelylinkedtotheirancestrallands. Indeed,theCommission'sWorkingGrouponIndigenousPopulations/Communihesnotedthatoneofthecharacteristicsofindigenouspeoplesistheoccupationanduseofaspecificterritory". Inparticular,theWorkingGroupreiteratedthatthesurvivalofparticularwaysoflifeofindigenouspeoplesdependsontherecognitionoftheirrightsandaccesstotheirtraditionallandsandnaturalICSOL1ICES98.inthiscase,theKahuzi-BiegaforestistheancestralhomefortheBatwapeople.3. ThestatementthattheoccupationoftheKahuzi-BiegaforestwasinnowayanobstacletobiodiversityoccurringintheKBNPandthat,furthermore,theiroccupationcreatedacustomarypropertyrightwhichtheRespondentStatehasadutytorecogniseandprotectunderinternationallaw. AstheCommissionhasalreadynoted,thereportoftheWorkingGroupofExpertsoftheAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'RightsstatesthathaditionallytheBatwahaveneverhuntedgorillasanddonotdestroytheforestbycuttingdowntrees"9.4. Astatementthatfortressconservationmodelsbasedontheevictionofindigenouspeoplesarenolongerrelevant,andthatincaseswheresuch97ReportoftheWorkingGroupofExpertsoftheAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'RightsonIndigenousPopulations/Communities,adoptedbytheAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'Rightsatits28"'OrdinarySession,2005,p.10098ReportoftheWorkingGroupofExpertsoftheAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoplesRightsonIndigenousPopulations/Communities,adoptedbytheAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'Rightsatits28"'OrdinarySee10099idem,p.2247 5.measuresarenecessary,theymusttakeintoaccounttheirimpactonindigenouspeoples. TheCommissionhasalreadyindicatedthisinitsResolutionontheapproachtothegovernanceofnaturalresources. Inthisresolution,itstressedthatinactivitiesrelatedtoexploration,extraction,toxicwastemanagement,exploitationandgovernanceofnaturalresources,Statesmustensurethatsocialandhumanimpactassessmentsarecarriedout,toguarantee,interalia,indigenousandcustomaryrights,andenvironmentalimpactassessments"l°AstatementthattheBatwaarethebestguardiansoftheenvironmentandthatconservationmeasurestoexcludethemfromtheirlandcanbedangerousandcounterproductivetoconservationefforts.6. AfindingthatthecreationoftheKBNP,andthedecisiontoallownon-Batwacommunitiestosettleandremainontheirancestrallands,hascontributedtothedestructionoftheKahuzi-BiegaforestandhasnotbenefitedtheBatwapeople,inviolationofArticle21(2)oftheChartera. Restitution218. TheComplainantsappealforrestitution. RestitutionisaprocedurethatisprovidedforintheCharter. Article21(2)providesthatincaseofspoliation,dispossessedpersonshavetherighttolegallyrecovertheirpropertyaswellastoreceiveadequatecompensation. TheCommissionregardsrestitutionasavalidandappropriatewaytorestorevictimstothestatetheywereinbeforetheviolationoftherightsconcerned. Forexample,intheCommunicationMbinnkeuGenezviévezr. Gzmeroon,itnotesthatrestitutionremainsthereparationparexcellencesinceitrespondstotheprincipleofrestitutioninintegmmwhichrequiresrestoringthevictimtothesituationpriortotheviolationwl.intheEmloruiscase,theCommissioncalledonKenyato"recognisethepropertyrightsoftheEndoroisandtoreturntheEmlorois"ancestralland"w.219. Inthiscase,theComplainantsareaskingfortherestitutionoftheirancestrallandthroughaseriesofmeasurestheywishtobetakenbytheDemocratic100Resolution224onaHumanRights-BasedApproachtoNaturalResourcesGovernanceACHPR/Res.224(LI)2012'°'Communlcatlon389/10MbiankeuGenevléifleametaamzoms)ACHPRpara1311ozCommunication276/03op.cit.para295/'d.$"".,r RepublicofCongo. Ofalltheserequests,basedonArticle1oftheCharter,whichstipulatesthattheMemberStates,partytotheCharterrecognisetherights,dutiesandfreedomssetoutintheCharterandundertaketoadoptlegislativeorothermeasurestogiveeffecttothem,theCommissionfindsthefollowingtobejustified:i. Adoptioninitsdomesticlegislation,assoonaspossible,afterfreeandfullyinformedconsultationwiththeBatwa,oflegislative,administrativeandanyothermeasuresnecessarytoestablishaneffectivemechanismforthedelimitation,demarcationandtitlingoftheterritorytraditionallyoccupiedbytheBatwaandthevariousnaturalresourcesattachedtoitinaccordancewiththeirtradition. TheDRCmayalsoratifytheInternationalLabourOrganisationConventionNo. C107concerningIndigenousandTribalPeoples,1957.ii. Takephysical,legislativeandadministrativemeasuresto(1)demarcate,delineateandprovideatitle,orclarifyandprotect,therelevantBatwaland,and(2)untilsuchmeasuresareimplemented,torefrainfromanyactoromissionthatmayleadtheStateoritsagents-orthirdpartiesactingwithitsconsentortolerance-tohaveaneffectontheexistence,value,useorenjoymentofBatwaancestrallandsorlandscurrentlyoccupiedbytheBatwaontheperipheryoftheKBNPiii. Theannulmentofalllaws,ordinancesorothermeasuresprohibitingthepresenceoftheBatwaonancestrallandsandtheenjoymentofthefruitsoftheselands.iv. Thewithdrawalofnon-BatwafromBatwaterritoriesandancestrallandswithinsixmonthsofnotificationofthedecision. Indeed,thesenon-Batwagroupsaredamaginganddegradingtheforestthroughtheiractivities.220. However,theCommissionfindsthefollowingrequestinappropriateandthereforerejectsit. Inparticular,theComplainantsrequestareviewof"timcorulitionsfortheeslriMislimentrinrfll1{ll1l1g('Nl('lllofnaturelL'SL'l'l'L'5ofthenationalleveltoensurelhnltheydonotimpedethefulluseandenjoymentofiiuligenouspeoples'liuuis. Furtherensurethatallmeasuresrelatingtothefutureoftlzeseterritories,partieularli/butnot('XClll5ll'L'll/iiitheareaofeoizsenratiou,placeindigenouscoiuiuunifiesatflieforefront,withtheStateseekingtobuildmodelsofco-ll1¢/Ill/1llIlgTHll'llloftheterritorieswiththeiiuligeuouspeoplescoiurerned.<~.... CommissionrejectsthisrequestbecausetheComplainantsrepresentonlythe"\*"""""49l*Q\F. Ii;.r.aI¢*'t,i..,v\~4..\v.,\`\` Batwainthiscaseandthereforecannotactonbehalfofanyotherpersonorcommunity.b. Compensation221. Initsjurisprudence,theCommissionrecognisesthatwhenrestitutionisimpossibleorinappropriate,therelatedobligationisresolvedthroughcompensation. Theprinciplebeingthat"compensationmustbefair,adequate,effective,sufficient,appropriate,victim-orientedandproportionatetothedamagesuffered"l*l3.222. Inthepresentcase,theComplainantshavesubmittedaseriesofclaimsforcompensation. TheCommissionwillattempttogiveitsopiniononanyoftheseclaims.inparticular,theComplainantsrequest:i. Theestablishment,inconsultationwiththeBatwa,ofanindependentpanelwithexpertiseintheareaofcompensationandredressforhumanrightsviolations,toassesstheappropriatelevelofcompensationthatshouldbeawardedtotheBatwa. TheCommissionnotesthatthispanelisnecessaryandimplorestheIndependentNationalHumanRightsCommissiontoplaytheroleofappointingtheseexpertsatitsconvenience.ii. Thepaymentofdamagestoreflectthelossoflife,property,hindrancetodevelopment,depletionanddestructionofnaturalresourcesonancestrallands. TheCommissionnotesthattheComplainantshavenotestablished,withthehelpofsupportingdocuments,thevalueoftheirmoralandmateriallosses. Thus,intheabsenceofamathematicalbenchmarkforthisclaim,theCommissioncannotdeterminetheamountcorrespondingtothedamagecausedbytheDRC. Consequently,andinaccordancewithitsrelevantpractice,itreferstheComplainantstothenationalcourtsfortheassessmentofdamages,inaccordancewithitswell-establishedjurisprudence."**inanyevent,suchcompensationshouldbefair,adequate,effective,sufficient,appropriate,victim-orientedandproportionatetotheharmsuffered.105,I!I.l.=s,.\'°'Communlcation389/10MbiankeuGenevievev/Cameroon(2015)ACHPRpara131muSeeCoInnulnicnlion313/05-op.cir.para.2.44. Co.;31lnunicaliol1253/02AntoineBissnngauv. Congo(ACHPR)2006Para83:Communication59/91Embgi1M¢'klMgu7:u1/isv. Camrrzmn(A(HI'R)1995,pare2.105Communication389/IO-up.cit.para7]8"""".ofno iii. Paymentofnon-pecuniarydamages,toincludethelossoftheirfreedomtopracticetheirreligionandculture,andthethreattotheirlivelihood,aswellastocompensatecommunitymembersforabusescommittedbythePNKBguards. Forthisclaimtoo,theComplainantswereunabletoshowtheestimatedvalueofthedamagethattheBatwasuffered. Inthissense,itisdifficultfortheCommissiontoestimatetheamountofthisdamage.iv. Thecreationofacommunitydevelopmentfundadministeredbythecommunitytoaddressthegrowingdeficienciesinhealth,housingandeducationinthecommunity. Inthisregard,theCommissionnotesthejurisprudenceoftheInter-AmericanCourtwhichhasalreadyestablishedsuchafund. Thus,inthecaseofKnIi'r1nandLokonoPeoplesv. Suriname,thisCourtfounditnecessarytocreateacommunitydevelopmentfundwhosemainpurposeistodevelopprojectsintheareasofhealth,education,foodsecurity,resourcemanagementandotherprovisionsthattheKnlinnandLokonoPeoplesconsiderrelevantfortheirdevelopment.'°°ItorderedtheStatetotakeadministrative,legislativeandfinancialmeasuresandtomakeavailablethenecessaryhumanresourcestocreateandimplementthisfund"*7. ThecourtalsosuggestedthattheKalinaemfLokonopeopleschoosearepresentativetodialoguewiththeStateontheimplementationofthisfundinaccordancewiththewillofthesepeoples.inthecaseofSnwlmynmuxaIndigenousCommzmityv,Paraguay,thesamecourtorderedtheUruguayanStatetocreateaSazvlwymmuuzIndigenousPeople'sDevelopmentFundworthUS$1,0()(),()()().()0(onemillionUnitedStatesDollars)tobeusedinaprogrammeofeducation,housing,agriculturalandhealthprojects,aswellastheproductionofdrinkingwaterandtheconstructionofsanitaryinfrastructureforthebenefitofthemembersofthiscommunityllltt.lhus,basedonthisjurisprudence,theCommissionrequeststheDRCtocreateadevelopmentfundtosupporttheBatwaofKahuzi-Biegainprojectsthatwouldenablethemtoprovidethemselveswithadecentlifeintermsofhealth,education,housing,waterandsanitationandotherareasthattheBatwathemselvesdeemnecessary. I106InterAmericanCourtofHumanRights,caseoftheKalinaandLokonoPeoplesv. Surname,Judgmentof25,2015,para296107lnteramericanCourtofHumanRights,caseoftheKalinaandLokonoPeoplesv. Suriname,Judgmentof25,..2015,para296108lnteramericanCourtofHumag"F3ightS,g_aseofSawhoyamaxaIndigenousCommunityv. Paraguay,JudgmentofMarch29,2006,para/2.24?.*"9gSOre'I:$1 U. ThepaymentofroyaltiesfromexistingeconomicactivitiesintheKahuzi-BiegaForest. AstheCommissionhasalreadyindicatedinitsanalysisonthemerits,theBatwaofKahuzi-Biegahavearightofownershipovertheirancestrallandsandterritories. Sincethisrightimpliestherighttoenjoy,useanddisposeoftheland,thisindicatesthattheroyaltiesfromeconomicactivitiesrelatedtothislandshouldaccruetothem. Therefore,theCommissionfindsthisclaimjustifiedandcallsontheDRCtopaytheseroyalties.vi. EnsurethattheBatwabenefitfromemploymentopporunitieswithintheKBNP,particularlyintheareaofconservationandlandrepair. TheCommissionagreedtothisrequest. Indeed,theBatwahavebeenfoundtobegoodprotectorsoftheenvironment. Thus,offeringthemanopportunitytoworkintheParkwillcontributetotheconservationandprotectionoftheenvironmentinthisforest.vii. EnsureregulardialoguewiththecommunityonhowbesttoimplementmeasurestoprovidetheBatwawithaccesstofreebasicpublicservices,withparticularemphasisonissuesrelatingtowaterandsanitation,adequatehealthcareandeducation. TheCommissionfindsthisrequestrelevant. Indeed,asthefnter-AmericanCourtindicatedinthecaseoftheYakycAxeIndegcnousCommunityv. Paraguay,theStatehasadutytotakepositiveandconcretemeasurestorealisetherighttolife,especiallyinthecaseofvulnerableandexposedpersons,whosecarebecomesamatterofhighpriority!!*'. Inthissense,oneofthemosteffectivewaystoensuretherealisationoftherighttolifeforindigenouspeoplesistoengageinregulardialoguewiththepeoplesconcerned. ItisfromthisdialoguethattheStatewillknowtheweakpointsthatrequirespecialattention.viii. WorkcollectivelywiththeBatwocommunitytoprotecttheirtraditionalvaluesandbeliefsandworkconstructivelywithcommunitymemberstodisseminateitnationallyasasourceofprideinCongoleseculture. TheCommissionfindsthisrequestrelevantaswell. Traditionalvaluesandbeliefsareimportantpillarsofapeople'sculturalidentity. Stateshaveanobligationtoprotectandpromotetheminordertoavoidtheirdisappearance. Inthepresentcase,theCommissioninvitestheDRCtointegratethecultureofindigenouspeoplesintotheeducationalcurriculum. IhcCommissionhadalreadymadesucharecommendationinothercountries. Thisisthecase,for;,§*F*,9109InterAmericanCourtW:m3t'\RlgHtsK\caseoftheYakyeAxelndegenousCommunityv. Paraguay,JudgmentofJune17,zoos,para;.`el(.:)a\I\...;,IJ..././w52 example,intheRepublicofCongo,aneighbouroftheDRC. InitsreportonitsmissiontotheRepublicofCongofrom15-24March2010,theCommission'sWorkingGrouponIndigenousPopulations/CommunitiesurgedtheStateto"integrateelementsofindigenouscultureandidentityintoeducationandliteracyprogrammes;anddeveloptechnicalandvocationaleducationthattakesintoaccountindigenousknow-howandeconomy"110.b. Guaranteesofnon-repetition223. Asmeasurestoguaranteenon-repetition,theComplainantsrequestedaseriesofactionsincluding:1. Adoption,withoutanyfurtherdelay,ofnationallegislationtoimplementtherightsanddutiesenshrinedintheUNDRIP,officiallyrecognisingindigenouspeoplesintheDRCanddefiningspecificmeasuresfortheirprotection. TheCommissionnotesthatthisrequestisnotrelevant. Indeed,adeclarationisnotabindinginstrument. Thus,Statesarenotobligedtoincorporateitintotheirdomesticlaw.ltwouldthereforebecontrarytotherulesofinternationallawtorequiretheDRCtoputinplacealawimplementingtherightsanddutiesenshrinedintheUniversalDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples. Instead,theCommissioninvitestheDRCtoputinplacealawonthepromotionandprotectionofindigenouspeoplesasisthecaseforitsneighbor,Congo.'!'ThislawcouldbeasourceofinspirationfortheDRC.2. Adoptionoflegislative,administrativeandothermeasurestorecogniseandguaranteetherightoftheBatwatobeeffectivelyconsulted,inaccordancewiththeirtraditionsandcustoms,and/ortogiveorwithholdtheirfree,priorandinformedconsenttodevelopment,conservationorinvestmentprojectsonBatwaancestrallandsintheKahuzi-Biegaforest,inordertoimplementadequateprotectionmeasurestominimisetheadverseeffectsthatsuchprojectsmayhaveonthesocial,economicandculturalsurvivalofthecommunity;Thisclaimrequireslegislative,administrativeandothermeasurestorecogniseandguaranteetherightsoftheBatwa. TheCommissionconsiders110AfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoplesRights,ReportoftheWorkingGroupoftheAfricanCommissiononIndigenousPopulations/Communities,MissiontotheRepublicofCongofrom1524March2010,adoptedatthe49"'OrdinarySessionoftheCommissionfrom28Aprilto12May2011,p.97.-..111TheRepublicofCongohasalawonthepromotionandprotectionofindigenouspeoples.seg.l,éwN0.5=2011of25February2011onthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofindigenouspeep,|53u1. thatthisrequestwouldbecontrarytothegeneralrulesoflaw. Indeed,itconsidersthatalawcannotbecreatedfortheBatwaalone. Oneofthefundamentalcharacteristicsoflawsistheirgenerality. Whenitismadeforagroupofpeople,itbecomesdiscriminatoryandthereforecontrarytotherulesoflaw.3. IssuanceofafullpublicapologybytheRespondentStatetotheBatwapeople,includinganacknowledgementofitsresponsibilityfor:(a)theabusebyparkrangersresultinginlossoflife;(b)thedeathsresultingfromtheeviction;and(c)theinhumaneanddegradinglivingconditionstowhichthecommunitywassubjectedasaresultoftheireviction,aswellasanydeathorotherharmcausedtoitsmembersasaresultoftheseconditions. TheInter-AmericanCourthasconsideredthisremedynecessaryandimportant. Thus,inthecase,KiclnvnlnrligenousPeopleofSnmynkuv. Ecuador,theInter-AmericanCourtrequestedtheStatetoacknowledgepubliclyofthebreachofinternationalresponsibilityovertheviolationsthattheCourthadfoundinthejudgment."2Referringtothisjurisprudence,theCommissionfindsthatthisrequestoftheComplainantsisrelevant. Consequently,itrequeststheDemocraticRepublicofCongotopubliclyacknowledgeitsinternationalresponsibilityforthehumanrightsviolationsofwhichtheBatwaofKahuzi-Biegawerevictimswithinaperiodnotexceedingsixmonthsfromthenotificationofthejudgment. Thisacknowledgementshouldbemadeinapublicceremonyinthepresenceofseniorstateofficialsandthepeople,inthelanguagethattheBatwaunderstand,andshouldbewidelypublicisedinthemedia.4. RecognisetheBatwaasfullcitizensoftheDRC,andtheirsocial,culturalandothercontributionstotheheritageofhumanity,includingbutnotlimitedtotheirknowledgeofmedicinalplants,tobeincludedinschoolcurriculathroughouttheDRC;TheCommissionfindsthisrequestjustifiedandappropriate. Indeed,itwouldbeinlinewiththeUnitedNationsDeclarationonIndigenousPeoples. Actually,inthepreambletothisDeclaration,Stateshaverecognisedthatindigenouspeoplesareequaltoallotherpeopleswhileacknowledgingtherightofallpeoplestobedifferent,toconsiderthemselvesdifferentandtoberespectedassuch."3TheDeclarationalso112InterAmericanCourtofHumanRights,caseofKichwaIndigenousPeopleof$oroyakuV. Ecuador,JudgementofJune27,2012,para305,__-,113PreambleoftheUnitedNationsDtitioriontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples,ResolutionadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyon13SeptemberD7¢""'"~.1.\hJqg-a.\2\|.'..1,.. I...../.._: recognisesthatall"peoplescontributetothediversityandrichnessofcivilisationsandcultureswhichconstitutetheheritageoflumanity""4. Therefore,intheopinionoftheCommission,therecognitionoftheBatwaasaPeopleoftheDRCandtheirsocialandculturalcontributionstotheHeritageofHumanityiscommendable.5. Provisionoftrainingmhumanrightsandindigenouspeoples'rightstoICCNadministratorsandparkrangersinPNKBinvolvingtheBatwacommunity. ReferringtothejurisprudenceoftheInter-AmericanCourtinthismatter,theCommissionrecommendsthistraining. Indeed,onasimilarrequestinKnlinnfindLokonoPeoplesiv. Surinnm¢¢,theInter-AmericanCourtruledthattheStateofSurinamemust,withinareasonabletime,establishmandatorypermanentprogrammesandcoursesthatincludemodulesonnationalandinternationalstandardsofindigenousandtribalpeoples'rights,inparticularonrespecting,protectingandguaranteeingtherighttocollectiveproperty."5Thecourtdecidedthattheseprogrammesshouldbeaddressedtolawenforcementofficials.inthiscase,suchtrainingwouldbeanimportantremedytotheviolationsofBatwarightsthatareperpetratedbyPNKBguardsandICNNadministratorsperhapsoutofignorance. TheCommissioncallsontheDRCtoorganicsuchtrainingforthetwocategoriesmentionedabove.224. Furthermore,theComplainantsrequestthatanindependentcompensationbodybeappointedwithinthreemonthsofthedecision;thattheamountofcompensation,royaltiesandtheCommunitydevelopmentfundbeagreedwithinoneyearofthedateofthedecision,andthatpaymentbemadewithin18monthsofthedateofthejudgment. TheCommissionagreestotheestablishmentofthisbodyandproposesthatpaymentbemadewithin6monthsofthenotificationofthejudgment.225. Ontheotherhand,theCommissiondoesnotfindtheComplainants'requestthattheRespondentStateidentifytheStaterepresentatives,ministriesorothercompetentbodiesresponsibleforimplementingtheserecommendationstobejustifiable. Indeed,theCommissionconsidersthattherequestsalreadygrantedinthisdecisionaresufficienttoallowforeffectivereparationforthedamagesufferedbytheBatwa. Inparticular,theestablishmentofan\.\iX9.111PreambleoftheUnitednationsDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples,ResolutionadoptedbytheGeneralAssembjyon13September2007.115Interame;i€an. Cour§oYHunRights,caseoftheKalinaandLokonoPeoplesv. Surname,Judgmentof25,2015,para.r.up3:f55 independentpanelwithexpertiseinthefieldofcompensationandreparationforhumanrightsviolationsalreadyproposedissufficient.226. TheComplainantsrequestedtheCommissiontomakesuchfurtheorotherrecommendationsasitdeemsappropriateinthecircumstancesofthecase.••Inthisregard,basedonthejurisprudencedevelopedbytheinter-AmericanCourt,theCommissionrequeststheDRCtopublishthisjudgment. Indeed,inthecaseofXakmokKrisekIndigenousCommunityv. Paraguay,theCourtfoundthateveniftheComplainantshadnotrequestedthisremedy,itwouldbeanimportantmeasureofsatisfactionforthetimethatthiscommunityhaswaitedinrequestingtheprotectionofitsrights.116ltrequestedtheRepublicofParaguaytopublishcertainpartsofitsjudgmentintheofficialgazette,thepublicationofasummaryofthejudgmentpreparedbythecourtinadailynewspaperofnationalscope,thepublicationofthejudgmentinitsentiretyonanofficialgovernmentwebsiteforaperiodofatleastoneyear1!7. Finally,itrequestedthatthesummaryofthejudgmentbereadonaradiostationcoveringtheregionoftheXdkmokKasckcommunity.7heInter-AmericanCourthasdecidedthisremedyinanumberofotherjudgmentslll'. Thus,inthepresentcase,theCommissionrequeststheDemocraticRepublicofCongotopublishasummaryofthejudgmentwithinaperiodnotexceeding6monthsafternotificationofthejudgment:TheofficialsummaryofthejudgmentpreparedbytheCommissioninanofficialjournal. ThesummaryofthejudgmentpreparedbytheCommissioninareputablenewspaperwithnationalcoverage. Thisdecisioninitsentiretyonanofficialwebsitewhichwillbeavailableforoneyear. TheCommissionalsofindsthatitwouldbeappropriatefortheStatetopublishthesummaryofthisdecisioninlirench;thatofBAIWAandothersurroundingcommunitiesonaradiostationthatcoverstheKahuzi-BiegaFarkarea.isInterAmericanCourtofHumanRights,CaseofTheXdkmokKésekIndigenousCommunityV. Paraguay,JudgementofAugust24,2012,para298.117/bidH8lnteramericancourtofHumanRights,caseofHuilcaTecsev. Peru,JudgmentofMarch3,2005,para111. SeealsoInterAmericanCourtofHumanRights,caseoftheKalinaandLokonoPeoplesv. Surname,Judgmentof25,2015,paras312&313. SeealsolnteramericanCourtofLiurt]ap,.,f}ights,caseofTheKichwaIndigenousPeopleofsarayakuv. Ecuador,judgmentofJune27,2012,156. LWUM'A¢~QPS' TheCommission'sDecisionontheMeritsInviewoftheforegoing,theCommission227. DeclaresthattheDemocraticRepublicofCongohasviolatedtheprovisionsofArticles1,2,3,4,8,14,16,17(1)-(3),21,22and24oftheAfricanCharter.228. DeclaresthattheKahuzi-BiegaForesthasbeentheancestralhomeoftheBatwapeoplesincetimeimmemorial. Consequently,theoccupationofthisforestbytheBatwapeopleisessentialfortheirsurvivalandthemaintenanceoftheirculturalidentity.229. DeclaresthattheoccupationoftheKahuzi-BiegaForestdidnotconstituteanydangertobiodiversityandthat,consequently,theforestisacustomarypropertythattheDemocraticRepublicofCongoisobligedtorecogniseandprotectunderinternationallawbyputtinginplacealawoncustomaryproperty.230. Declaresthatfortressconservationmodelsbasedontheexclusionofindigenouspeoplesfromtheirancestrallandswithouttheirfreeandpriorconsentarenolongerrelevantandrecallsthat,incaseswheresuchconservationsarenecessary,theirimpactonindigenouspeoplesmustbecarefullyanalysedandremedied.inparticular,theconservationmodelusedintheKahuzi-BiegaNationalParkhasfailed,byexcludingtheBatwaascustodiansoftheforest.231. Statesthatasgoodstewardsoftheenvironment,measurestoexcludetheBatwafromtheirlandmaybeharmfultotheenvironmentgiventhepositivehistoricalrecordofconservationoftheKahuzi-BiegaforestbytheBatwa232. NotesthatthecreationoftheKahuzi-BiegaNationalParkandtheauthorisationofothernon-BatwacommunitiestocontinuetoexploittheirancestrallandsconstitutesaviolationoftheCharter.233. TheCommissionthereforerequeststheDemocraticRepublicofCongoto:i. Adoptassoonaspossible,inconsultationwiththeBatwa,suchlegislative,administrativeandothermeasuresasmaybenecessarytoestablishamechanismfordemarcationandtitlingofBatwaancestralterritoryandrelatedrightsinaccordancewiththeirvalues,customsandbeliefs.ii.al.,;v'ZLconcerningIndigenousandTribalPeoples,/195Z.*=..*\\..,r'sRatifytheInternationalLabourOrganiziatien-CQnventionNo. C10757 iii. Takephysical,legislativeandadministrativemeasurestoclarifyanddetermineBatwaancestrallandsiv. ReintegratetheBatwaintotheirancestralterritoryV. RefrainfromanyactionthatmaypreventtheBatwafromusingorenjoyingtheirancestrallandsintheKahuzi-BiegaNationalParkuntilthesemeasuresareadoptedandimplemented,vi. Rescindalllaws,ordinancesorothermeasuresthatprohibitthepresenceoftheBatwaontheirancestrallandsandtheirtraditionaluseandenjoyment.vii. Takethenecessarymaterial,legislativeandadministrativemeasurestoimplementtheAfricanUnionConventionfortheProtectionandAssistanceofInternallyDisplacedPersonsinAfrica(KampalaConvention)viii. Remove,withinaperiodnotexceeding6monthsfromthenotificationofthisdecision,non-BatwafromBatwaancestrallandsandterritories.ix. Establish,incollaborationwiththeNationalIndependentHumanRightsCommission,anindependentcommitteeofexpertsincompensationandreparationsforhumanrightsviolationstoexaminethevalueofcompensationrequiredtoredresstheharmsufferedbytheBatwa.x. Establishacommunitydevelopmentfundadministeredbythecommunitytoaddressgrowingdeficienciesinhealth,housingandeducation;xi. PayingroyaltiesfromeconomicactivitiesintheKahuzi-BiegaForest;xii. EnsurethatBatwaaregivenpriorityforemploymentopportunitiesinKahuziBiegaNationalPark,particularlyinguarding,conservationandlandrepair;xiii. EngageinregulardialoguewiththeBabatoprovidethemwiththebasicpublicservicestheyneed;xiv.".\lct.g..\UWorkwiththeBatwa,throughtheministryresponsibleforculture,toprotecttheirrgiditionalvaluesandbeliefsasasourceofprideinCongoleseculture;.;.»w»\'H/.l:Is'I..4~=\\.58 XV. Adoptnationallegislationontherightsofindigenouspeoplesanddefinemeasuresfortheirprotectionxvi. MakeafullpublicapologytotheBabapeople,acknowledgingtheabusebyparkrangersresultinginlossoflife,thedeathsresultingfromeviction,andtheinhumaneanddegradinglivingconditionstowhichtheBatwacommunityhasbeensubjectedxvii. RecognisetheBatwaascitizensoftheDRC,includingtheirsocial,culturalandothercontributionstotheheritageofhumanity;xviii. Frovidetrainingonnationalandinternationalhumanrightsandindigenouspeoples'standardstoICCNadministratorsandPNKBrangers;xix. PublicisethisdecisioninaccordancewiththeinstructionsdrawnupbytheCommissioninparagraph226ofthisdecision. AdoptedbytheAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'Rightsatits711OrdinarySessionheldvirtuallyfrom21April2022to13May2022iiai.goan:.1\~.5l_*v:.-»I.,fI59