Mission for Batwa Pygmies in Rwanda

An Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation fact-finding mission arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, on October 3 to begin a three-month investigation into the situation of the Batwa (Twa). The mission is to visit Rwanda's traditional Batwa areas and refugee camps in Rwanda, Uganda, Zaire, Burundi and Tanzania.

The mission aims to gather objective and first-hand information on the situation of the Batwa in Rwanda and neighbouring countries.

The indigenous Batwa are the “forgotten people” in Rwanda's bloody conflict. Fears are held that few of Rwanda's 29,000 Batwa have survived the slaughter.

Once the number of Batwa and their conditions have been determined, the delegation will prepare recommendations on the possibility of their repatriation and subsequent rehabilitation. The mission report is due for release in early January.

The mission is composed of Charles Uwiragiye, executive secretary of the Association for the Promotion of Batwa, and Pauline Overeem, director Urgent Action Unit, UNPO. The mission is financially supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Batwa people are a member of UNPO and are one of the main Pygmy people living in central Africa. UNPO is an organisation of nations and peoples not adequately represented in international fora, such as the United Nations.

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