A/HRC/25/56/Add.1 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 31 January 2014 Original: English Human Rights Council Twenty-fifth session Agenda item 3 Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development Report of the Independent Expert on minority issues, Rita Izsák Addendum Mission to Cameroon (2 – 11 September 2013)* In Cameroon, there are more than 250 ethnic groups speaking many different languages and representing different faith groups. Cameroon is rightly proud of its record of stability and peaceful coexistence of such diverse communities. Its numerous development and social policies, general respect for minority rights and emphasis on national unity in diversity are important factors in that stability. In many respects, Cameroon is a positive example of how a highly diverse society in the region can be managed. While many challenges remain, the Government is open to discuss them and to involve minorities in shaping effective solutions. As an important measure to achieve such solutions, the Independent Expert urges the Government to fully record and gather regular disaggregated social and economic data, including in the census, which will clearly map the country’s diversity and help to reveal challenges facing certain population groups. The problems faced by the Pygmy and Mbororo pastoralist communities, who identify as indigenous minorities and who are among the poorest in Cameroon, were frequently raised, and require dedicated attention if their situation is to be improved. The Government has initiated a number of programmes targeting such groups. Solutions must take into account and respect their unique cultures, traditions and lifestyles if they are to be appropriate and sustainable. Issues relating to land access and ownership are of primary importance to these communities and require dialogue and a review of current legislation to * The summary of the present report is circulated in all official languages. The report itself, annexed to the summary, is circulated in French and in the language of submission only. GE.14-10691 *1410691*