A/HRC/23/56/Add.1
Human rights training is also being conducted, while manuals and guidelines for police
officers have been developed.
34.
While welcoming such steps, the Special Rapporteur remains concerned about the
persistence of racial profiling of native indigenous campesino peoples, Afro-Bolivians,
migrants and refugees by law enforcement officials, in particular by police officers. Some
interlocutors, including indigenous peoples, themselves victims, also indicated that police
investigations on reported racist crimes against indigenous people had been very limited.
35.
It was reported that the armed forces were in the process of reform to ensure social
inclusion and equal opportunity by removing the legacy of institutionalized racism of the
former colonial system. The armed forces have introduced human rights trainings for
officials and a programme of social inclusion, thereby allowing for the recruitment of
indigenous peoples and other marginalized groups. During the meetings with the Special
Rapporteur, it was also noted that the armed forces should play a much bigger role in the
fight against racism in view of to its broad outreach and potential to educate young people.
2.
Access to employment, education, health care and other services
36.
Various interlocutors expressed concerns about the situation of indigenous peoples
and communities in the Plurinational State of Bolivia, a situation mainly characterized by
precarious health, low education levels, scarce income and a high rate of illiteracy. Such
unfavourable socioeconomic conditions for the indigenous population are mainly due to the
consequence of centuries of economic, social and cultural exclusion and discrimination
based on ethnicity and social class. The Special Rapporteur was informed that the
Government had made efforts to eradicate extreme poverty among indigenous peoples and
communities, particularly in the Amazon area. It was expected that the results of the new
population census might facilitate a reassessment of the Government’s priorities with
regard to the delivery of basic services.
37.
Indigenous people are often discriminated against in the area of employment and
remuneration and face high rates of unemployment. In a report of 2010 on the situation of
indigenous peoples given to the Special Rapporteur, the Office of the Ombudsman
estimated that non-indigenous men earn a salary that is 2.9 times higher than that of
indigenous men, and 3.4 times higher than of indigenous women. The lack of education and
qualifications further limits their access to jobs.
38.
It was noted that indigenous peoples faced two challenges in their access to
education: insufficient access to education facilities, and exclusion of their culture and
traditions from formal education curricula. It was reported that, although Law No. 1565 on
Education Reform of 1994 reinforces bilingual and intercultural education, its
implementation remains weak. Access to formal education for indigenous peoples and
communities is severely restricted, particularly in rural areas. According to the 2001 census,
the illiteracy rate for the indigenous population reached 19.61 per cent as against 4.51 per
cent for the non-indigenous population. Of particular concern is the situation in rural areas,
where illiteracy rates of indigenous women largely exceeds that of men. The recent
alphabetization campaign Yo si puedo produced positive outcomes. According to
information provided by the Ministry of Education, the campaign is expected to slash the
illiteracy rate for the entire Bolivian population. It is not yet clear, however, how the
expected reduction will directly benefit indigenous peoples.
39.
In the report of the Office of the Ombudsman received by the Special Rapporteur
(see paragraph 37 above), it was estimated that 80 per cent of the indigenous population
lacked health facilities in their communities and, where these existed, equipment was old or
insufficient. The demand for health assistance has become acute in indigenous territories
owing to significant environmental pollution, lack of access to water and increasing
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