A/HRC/25/56/Add.1 favour of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2007 and to adopt the notion of “indigenous peoples” in its Constitution. To date, Cameroon has not ratified the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recommended that Cameroon adopt a bill on the rights of indigenous people, ensuring their participation in the drafting process.4 11. The Ministry of Social Affairs has responsibility for combating social exclusion and promoting the integration of “marginalized people”. Its Department of National Solidarity promotes the rights of indigenous populations, which encompass Pygmy hunter-gatherers, Mbororo nomadic herders, mountain dwellers, island and creek populations and crossborder populations. Although a bill on marginal populations has been drafted, rights groups consider that it does not address minority and indigenous issues comprehensively.5 In the Ministry of Justice, the Directorate for Human Rights and International Cooperation, established by Decree No. 2005/122 of 15 April 2005, has responsibilities that include monitoring human rights issues generally and the application of the international human rights conventions to which Cameroon is a party. 12. The Independent Expert met with the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms.6 The functions of the Commission, whose members are appointed by the Government, include addressing all claims concerning violations of human rights and freedoms, considering questions pertaining to the promotion and protection of human rights, bringing instruments pertaining to human rights to wider public attention, and maintaining contacts with the United Nations and other institutions. In performing its functions, it may summon the parties concerned to a hearing. Its four working groups include one focused on vulnerable groups and another on religious issues. The Commission includes civil society actors in its activities and provides reports and recommendations to the authorities. 13. Civil society groups working for the rights of minority and indigenous peoples highlight the important role of the National Commission in the protection of their rights. They pointed out that, while minority and indigenous groups are considered by the Commission, there is limited focus on their issues and few complaints are received by groups such as Pygmies. They suggested that the establishment of a separate unit for minority and indigenous peoples, employing staff from these communities, would significantly enhance its role. There has reportedly never been a Mbororo, Pygmy or Montagnard Commissioner or staff member since the establishment of the body. The Commission’s role could be further enhanced to include training on minority and indigenous rights for authorities, including the police, gendarmes and judicial authorities. IV. General and cross-cutting minority rights concerns 14. In the sections below, the Independent Expert briefly considers key thematic minority rights issues brought to her attention during her mission. 4 5 6 6 CERD/C/CMR/CO/15-18, para. 15. See also CRC/C/CMR/CO/2, paras. 82–83. According to the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, the term “marginalized people” refers to all groups that have difficulty integrating into society, including the physically disabled and others. Inclusion of minority or indigenous people into this category makes it difficult to address their particular and exceptional situations. Originally established as the National Committee of Human Rights and Freedoms by Decree No. 90/1459 of 8 November 1990, it was renamed under Law No. 004/016 of 22 July 2004.