UArizona Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program Supports Batwa Human Rights in DRC

The University of Arizona's Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy (IPLP) Program is honored to announce its participation as a signatory in an international statement advocating for the rights of the Batwa Indigenous Peoples of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The statement calls for the immediate suspension of actions under Provincial Decree N°24/279/GP/SK, which risks perpetuating violence against Batwa communities in and around the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (PNKB).

The IPLP Program’s Indigenous Rights & Protected Areas Initiative aligns with global efforts to address human rights concerns stemming from conservation policies that exclude Indigenous communities. This decree, while aiming to combat environmental threats, has been criticized for disregarding the Batwa’s ancestral rights, as affirmed by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) in its July 2024 decision.

UArizona joins other organizations in urging the DRC government to adopt inclusive conservation strategies that respect international human rights standards and integrate the Batwa as stewards of their ancestral lands. This collaboration underscores the IPLP Program’s dedication to safeguarding Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice worldwide.