Special Rapporteur of Indigenous People to Address the Media on his Visit to South Africa

The Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous People, Rodolfo Stavenhagen, will conclude his 11-day visit to South Africa on Monday, 8 August 2005, with a media briefing.

With this first official visit to an African country, Mr Stavenhagen aimed to gain a better understanding of the situation of indigenous people in South Africa. The Special Rapporteur, along with relevant parties in the country, focused particular attention on the situation of the economic and social rights of the indigenous, including the access to land, and on the difficulties in protecting effectively their identity within the country's overall context.

More broadly, Mr Stavenhagen explored with the Government, indigenous communities and civil society how to enhance national responses to the needs of the indigenous in the country on issues of health, food security and education. The Rapporteur's findings and recommendations will be presented to the sixty-second session of the Commission on Human Rights in April 2006.

This media briefing will provide you with an opportunity to engage with the Special Rapporteur and hear his impressions and provisional assessment on this important mission to South Africa.

Date: Monday, 8 August 2005

Time: 12h00 - 13h00
Venue: Room 153
Union Buildings, Tshwane

For further information, contact:
Sudeshan Reddy
Officer-in-Charge

United Nations Information Centre, Pretoria

Tel: (012) 354 8507
Cell: 082 563 5286
Fax: (012) 354 8501
E-mail: sreddy@un.org.za

Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS) on behalf of UN Information Centre
4 August 2005