Indigenous forest dwellers of the Republic of Congo face extinction unless laws designed to protect them and their ways of life are implemented, David Lawson, the representative of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Republic of Congo warned. Advocacy work on behalf of the indigenous communities had culminated in the passing in February of laws protecting their rights. The adopted Congo laws marked the first such law in Africa, and has been described as a best practice by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Indigenous People, James Anaya. This effort coincides this week with the Indigenous peoples’ Forum held at United Nations HQ in New York. (From UN News Centre sources). Now Implementation of Law “We will continue to advocate for the implementation of the law, We will increase our support to indigenous people in Congo and support Government and civil society in the implementation of this law. Indigenous people are part of the worldwide cultural heritage. Their cultural traditions must be preserved while they should be encouraged to benefit from modern-age services. They must be protected at all costs,” Documentary Film “Mouato” to Aid Advocacy His work with national and provincial leaders to promote and protect their rights was featured in a discussion at a side event of the ongoing UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York this week. It included the screening of a UNFPA-supported film entitled Mouato: The Life of Indigenous Women in Congo. Related Reports: ---“Indigenous Forum-UN” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/indigenous-forum-un/26962 ---“Indigenous Forum at UN Rights to Functional Reality” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/indigenous-forum-at-un-rights-into-functional-reality-by-ambassador-mo/28020 By Ambassador mo Face Book at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter - DiplomaticallyX