UNITED NATIONS Economie and Social Council Distr. E/CN.4/Sub.2/1990/NGO/20 13 Auqust 1990 Oriqinal: ENGLISH COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities Fortv-second session Aqenda items б and 15 QUESTION OF THE VIOLATION OP HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, INCLUDING POLICIES OP RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND SEGREGATION AND OF APARTHEID, IN ALL COUNTRIES, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO COLONIAL AND OTHER DEPENDENT COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES: REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMISSION UNDER COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS RESOLUTION 8 (XXIII) DISCRIMINATION AGAINST INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Written statement submitted by the International League for the Rights and Liberation of Peoples, a non-governmental orqanization in consultative status (category II) The Secretary-General has received the followinq communication which is circulated in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1296 (XLIV). [9 August 1990] 1. The International League for the Rights and Liberation of Peoples is concerned about the threatened survival of the Batwa in Burundi. 2. Only a few hundred years ago, the central African highlands between the Conqo river and Lake Nvanza (Lake Victoria) were covered with dense rainforests in the lower altitude^. This was the habitat of a small-statured nomadic people, the Pvqmies. They lived in harmony with their environment and respected it. GE.90-17161/7300A E/CN.4/Sub.2/1990/NGO/20 paqe 2 3. Thereupon, the Bantu, a people practisinq slash and burn agriculture, invaded the area from the west and beqan step by step to destroy the forest and, consequently its inhabitants. The extensively deforested areas became attractive to the tall cattle-raisinq nomads migrating from the upper Nile valley. They soon dominated the agriculturist Bantu despite their small number. The peaceful small aborigines - Pygmies and Pygmoids - were of no significance within the fights for power unknown to them. In addition, they were already so decimated in number as to be totally unimportant. 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a report on the threatened survival of the Batwa indigenous people in Burundi, discussing their historical habitat and the impact of external forces on their environment and well-being. The focus is on the cultural and environmental aspects of their situation, rather than economic or industrial development.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, Culture