GABORONE, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Fernand de Varennes, arrived in Gaborone, capital of Botswana, on Monday, to gather first-hand information on minorities situation, and identify good practices and key areas requiring more effort, the UN Human Rights office in Gaborone said in a statement.
According to the statement, as required by his mandate, de Varennes will examine how the country is implementing the 1992 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities through legislation, policy and practice.
During his 12-day mission, the special rapporteur will travel to Gaborone and other regions and localities relevant to his mandate and where minority communities are located, including Francistown, Maun, Ghanzi and Kasane, the statement said.
He will meet senior government officials, representatives of civil society and members of minority tribes, and members of the deaf community with regard to, among other things, their rights as members of a linguistic minority.
The special rapporteur will also examine steps to implement the rights of minorities to an adequate standard of living, and the impact of economic and development policies, including developmental projects and business activities in regions with a minority presence.
The special rapporteur will present a comprehensive report of his visit to Botswana during the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council in March 2019.
