A/HRC/40/64/Add.2
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
9 January 2019
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Fortieth session
25 February–22 March 2019
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Visit to Botswana
Report of the Special Rapporteur on minority issues*
Summary
The Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Fernand de Varennes, conducted a visit
to Botswana from 12 to 24 August 2018 to examine existing legislation, policies and
practices for the protection and promotion of the rights of persons belonging to national,
ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities, in particular with regard to access to quality
education, health and other public services, the use of minority languages, access to
landownership and resources, the political participation of minorities and efforts to fight
hate speech. In his report on the visit, he highlights the positive steps taken by the
Government of Botswana to uphold the rights of national ethnic, religious and linguistic
minorities. The Special Rapporteur makes a number of recommendations with a view to
assisting the Government and other relevant actors in their efforts to address the challenges
in implementing the human rights of minorities in Botswana.
* The summary of the report is being circulated in all official languages. The report itself, which is
annexed to the summary, is being circulated in the language of submission only.
GE.19-00324(E)