KINSHASA (June 10, 2022) — The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Senate took a big leap forward today in recognizing the customary rights of its Indigenous population by adopting a new law on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Indigenous Pygmy Peoples.
The historic law is the country’s first ever legislation to formally recognize and safeguard the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and will now be sent to President Felix Tshisekedi to be signed. This law will have a lasting effect on improving land tenure security and livelihoods for the Indigenous Pygmies, and also empower them to take a leading role in achieving the DRC’s climate and conservation goals.
