From The Rainforest Foundation: "The first-ever law in Africa guarding against the discrimination, exploitation and violence endured by indigenous peoples could be passed in the Republic of Congo by the end of 2007.

We need your help now to safeguard the basic human rights of indigenous peoples who play a crucial role in protecting Congo’s rainforests. Please sign our petition urging Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso to support this vital legislation affecting the lives of tens of thousands of indigenous peoples.

http://www.rainforestfoundationuk.org/s-Make%20it%20a%20First%20for%20Africa

The Rainforest Foundation has been working with Congolese human rights groups and indigenous activists to produce the law since 2003. Finally a draft version of the law exists. But the struggle is not over. The law needs the full support of MPs and Congolese President Sassou Nguesso.

Passage of the law will:
Outlaw discrimination and violence
Recognise indigenous people as full citizens of the Congolese state
Provide access to state education and health care
Ensure that indigenous peoples have a say in political decisions that affect them
Recognise rights to land and natural resources
Protect sacred sites
We are urging all of our supporters to add their voices to those of the Congolese indigenous peoples. Please sign our petition, and encourage the government of Congo to pass this historic law.
Let’s do everything we can to get this law passed – we have days, not weeks to do it.
Please forward this email to friends and colleagues
Thank you!"

http://www.rainforestfoundationuk.org/s-Make%20it%20a%20First%20for%20Africa