A/HRC/4/9/Add.3 page 14 and the police, following the well-documented role of military personnel in the 2003 massacre, and lack of police protection at that time. Given highly volatile conditions following large-scale killings and reprisals, all communities must be equally protected. While a commission of inquiry was set up into the events in Gambella, there is widespread distrust as to the integrity of the published commission report and a belief that not all soldiers who committed crimes have been prosecuted. Widows interviewed by the independent expert stated that they had never had an opportunity to tell their stories. This may be a situation which would benefit from adapting a model of a truth commission. 44. The use of local and federal police, is considered preferable to the use of military forces in most instances relating to internal regional peace and stability. The military should however have an enhanced role in securing the border with Sudan and in protection of communities threatened and displaced by armed groups who originate from Sudan. Measures to peacefully disarm and repatriate Sudanese groups should be undertaken as soon as possible, with subsequent measure to allow native communities to return to the territories from which they were displaced. Such measures would greatly help to ease tensions related to land. 45. Oil exploration in Gambella is considered by some observers to be a factor in the increasing tensions in the region and in the displacement of some communities. Such activities may impact negatively on vulnerable communities, for example, in regard to environmental damage or the possibility of evictions from their land or other violations of their rights. The Government is urged at an early stage to consider programmes and policies that ensure that all local communities benefit appropriately from such activities, for example, in regard to employment opportunities and an equitable share of the newly generated wealth. 46. Numerous international agencies, NGOs and faith-based organizations9 promote inter-ethnic cooperation, conflict prevention and peaceful development in Gambella alongside local civil society. The work of such organizations is extremely valuable, and their continued presence is considered essential to addressing the immediate and long-term needs of communities in the region, and to promoting peace and stability. IV. LANGUAGE AND CULTURE 47. Article 39, paragraph 2 of the Constitution states: “Every Nation, Nationality and People in Ethiopia has the right to speak, to write and to develop its own language; to express, to develop and to promote its culture; and to preserve its history.” In many respects the re-establishment of local languages has been a major success of the EPRDF Government. 9 International organizations and agencies including the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Pact, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) amongst others are active in Gambella State. The Salesian Don Bosco organization is noted for its establishment of educational, vocational training and recreational facilities for children and young people from all communities in Gambella town.