A/HRC/24/41/Add.1
strengthened, along with greater efforts to ensure San peoples’ security of land tenure,
which is still all too vulnerable. In this regard, land resettlement initiatives appear to have
positive elements and potential. However, more needs to be done to identify adequate lands
for resettlement and to develop land-use planning arrangements, in consultation with the
affected San communities, as well as to provide ongoing support for the sustainable
development of resettled communities.
Indigenous peoples in Namibia express a sense of exclusion from decision-making
processes, at both at the local and national levels, because of their ethnic identities.
Recognition of the traditional authorities of indigenous peoples in Namibia is an important
step in advancing their rights to self-governance and to maintaining their distinct identities.
The State should work to promote the recognition of legitimate authorities selected in
accordance with traditional decision-making processes. Steps should also be redoubled to
ensure that indigenous peoples or tribes that are ethnically distinct from the majority tribes
are adequately represented in legislative and administrative institutions at both the district
and national levels.
Namibia has paid a high level of attention to education since independence, and has
established important policies regarding mother-tongue and culturally appropriate
education. However, the Government should increase efforts to address the troubling
educational situation of, in particular, San and Himba groups, whose members continue to
lag behind in educational attainment relative to other groups. In addition, concerted efforts
are needed to address the structural factors contributing to the health problems suffered by
indigenous peoples in the country, including poverty and a lack of access to their traditional
lands and natural resources.
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