E/CN.4/2005/18/Add.6 page 3 In Nicaragua, as in Honduras, the Government considered that there was neither racism nor racial discrimination in the country. The complex ethnic and racial make-up of the population resulting from intermarriage was said to make manifestations of those phenomena improbable. By contrast, the representatives of indigenous peoples and people of African descent consider themselves victims of racism and racial discrimination. The historical discrimination that these peoples have endured has been reinforced by the political violence that the country has suffered and, in particular, by the political, social and military manipulation of these peoples by all factions in the internal conflict in Nicaragua. Their grievances stem, inter alia, from the infringement of their cultural identities and land rights and the low level of investment by the State in regions where they live, as well as their insignificant representation in power structures. The Special Rapporteur found a deep ethnic, social and economic rift between the Pacific and Atlantic regions. The Pacific regions remain predominantly Mestizo - with some indigenous communities - and are experiencing a measure of development, whereas the Atlantic regions, inhabited mostly by indigenous peoples and people of African descent, are isolated and lack basic infrastructure. As in Guatemala and Honduras, the map of poverty and economic and social marginalization coincides with the geographical distribution of peoples who consider themselves to be victims of discrimination. The autonomy granted to the Atlántico Norte and Atlántico Sur regions has created the institutional framework for the peoples of these regions to plan and assume responsibility for their own development but, owing to the shortage of financial resources coming from the central Government, they have not yet been able to benefit effectively from this decentralization. Although he is aware of the economic difficulties confronting Nicaragua for more than two decades in the wake of internal conflicts and natural disasters affecting it, the Special Rapporteur nevertheless believes that the Government should listen more closely to the peoples whose objective experience of discrimination should henceforth be recognized and treated in all its dimensions, cultural, economic and social, by a national programme to combat racism and discrimination and efforts to build a democratic, egalitarian, interactive and multicultural society. There should be greater dialogue with the leaders and peoples of the autonomous Atlantic regions in order to identify the economic and social areas that require priority intervention and the allocation of adequate resources. The Special Rapporteur also considers that the process of granting land rights to indigenous peoples should take account of their habits and customs and ensure, through negotiation, that their interests and ancestral rights are not violated. In that respect, the Government should consider ratifying and implementing ILO Convention No. 169 concerning indigenous and tribal peoples.