A/HRC/40/64/Add.2 community participation in issues affecting their own development and affirmative measures for the benefit of communities, including minority communities that have faced intractable disadvantages either for logistical reasons or because of long-standing historical prejudice and subjugation by the dominant groups. These measures cover matters such as improved access to education; health; employment; and economic development opportunities. 19. With regard to education, the Government’s efforts have resulted in an adult literacy rate of 88.5 per cent in 2015 – one of the highest in Africa – according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and this rate seems to be increasing. Educational initiatives are in place to make education as accessible as possible to all, including for inhabitants of remote areas, who are often minorities. Religious minorities do not seem to face any major obstacles or discrimination in terms of accessing education, and it is noteworthy that reports of hate speech or incitement targeting such communities or other minorities appear to be practically non-existent. 20. On the human rights front, the Government’s “Vision 2036: Achieving Prosperity for All” initiative aims at building a united and proud nation based on the five national principles of democracy, development, self-reliance, unity and botho.3 The Special Rapporteur was pleased to see in Vision 2036 a statement that all ethnic groups will have equal recognition and representation at the Ntlo ya Dikgosi (House of Chiefs). In a section dealing with what is described as the “fourth pillar”, involving the Constitution and human rights, the Government aims for Botswana to be “among the top countries in the protection of human rights”. In another section of the Vision the Government recognizes the particular cultural heritage and identity that Botswana must maintain and promote in order to achieve an inclusive and equal opportunity nation, as well as to enable all its communities to “freely live, practise and celebrate their diverse cultures”, including their languages. The Special Rapporteur notes that, during the 2012 universal periodic review of Botswana, the Government indicated that it appreciated the importance of using mother tongues for education and that it would explore strategies for that purpose, including by introducing teacher aides at the primary school level. It has also been brought to the attention of the Special Rapporteur that the Government has committed to ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities soon. In addition, there are currently discussions within the Government to strengthen the human rights mandate of the Office of the Ombudsman and for it to incorporate the activities of a possible national human rights institute. These, and other initiatives to improve access to justice, health care, water and other public services for all persons, particularly in more remote regions where minorities are concentrated, must be commended. VII. Challenges and implementation 21. Despite these and other positive measures and developments, the good policies and intentions that the Special Rapporteur often heard during his discussions around the country were not always translated into practice and implemented. 22. There remain issues of concern that Botswana must tackle in a more comprehensive manner as a matter of priority in order for it to effectively respect and protect the human rights of minorities – and others – and its international obligations. The desiderata of Vision 2036 of communities freely living, practising and celebrating their diverse cultures, including their languages, does not seem consistent with the refusal described in the present report to allow the licensing of community radio stations that could broadcast in minority languages (see para. 62) or the prohibition of the teaching of a minority language in private schools (see paras. 32–34). This is a general observation, since in some areas of the country, such as Ghanzi, the Special Rapporteur sensed that the local administration acknowledged the importance of local languages and attempted to respond to the needs of local minority communities by taking into account their different languages and cultures. 3 6 Botho has been described as a philosophy that promotes the common good of society and includes humanness as an essential element of human growth.