A/HRC/18/35/Add.5 I. Introduction 1. The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, visited the Republic of the Congo from 2 to 12 November 2010, following an invitation from the Government with the support of the indigenous peoples’ organizations of the country. Prior to, during and following the visit, the Special Rapporteur engaged in an exchange of information with the Government, indigenous peoples and others, as well as carried out independent research. This report examines the human rights situation of indigenous peoples in Congo in light of international standards, in order to assist the Government of Congo, indigenous communities, United Nations agencies and other actors in ongoing efforts to implement those standards. 2. During his visit to the Republic of the Congo, the Special Rapporteur met and consulted with Government officials, members of the Senate and the National Assembly, indigenous peoples and their organizations, representatives of United Nations specialized agencies, and members of civil society. 3. In Brazzaville, the Special Rapporteur met with the Minister of Civil Service and State Reformation; the Minister of Planning, Economy, Land Reform and Integration; the Secretary-General of the President’s Cabinet; the National Commission on Human Rights, the President of the National Assembly; the President of the Senate; the Director of the Cabinet of the Minister for Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and Solidarity; the Minister of Justice and Human Rights; the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education in Charge of Literacy; the Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of Sustainable Development, Forestry Economy and Environment; the Minister for Promotion of Women and the Integration of Women in Development; and the Minister of Interior and Decentralization. 4. The Special Rapporteur also met with representatives of a number of indigenous and civil society organizations in Brazzaville, including the National Network of Indigenous Peoples of Congo (Réseau National des Peuples Autochtones du Congo - RENAPAC), some of its constituent organizations, and the non-governmental organization, Congolese Human Rights Observatory (Observatoire Congolais de Droits de l'Homme - OCDH). 5. The Special Rapporteur conducted visits to the departments of Likouala and Lékoumou where he consulted with indigenous communities, local authorities and representatives of indigenous and non-governmental organizations. Additionally, he held consultations with the United Nations Resident Coordinator and representatives of United Nations agencies with offices in the Republic of the Congo. 6. The Special Rapporteur wishes to acknowledge the support of the Government of the Republic of the Congo for its assistance and cooperation in preparing and coordinating his visit. He is especially grateful for the assistance provided by the Director General of the Department of Human Rights and Fundamental Liberties of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and his staff. He would also like to thank the various agencies of the United Nations in Brazzaville, particularly UNICEF and UNDP, for their instrumental help in all phases of the visit. 4