UN human rights experts have raised alarm over the resurgence of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, warning that Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately at risk due to structural exclusion and limited access to healthcare.
The experts said the outbreak, which has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization, is occurring largely within or near Indigenous territories. They highlighted the heightened vulnerability of Indigenous communities, particularly the Pygmy Indigenous Peoples, who depend closely on their lands and natural resources for survival, identity, and well-being.
According to the experts, these communities face systemic barriers including weak access to health services, making them especially exposed to rapid disease spread and inadequate treatment during outbreaks.
They welcomed ongoing containment efforts by affected states but urged governments, international organisations, and UN agencies to ensure equitable and non-discriminatory access to healthcare for Indigenous Peoples. They also called for stronger targeted support for at-risk communities.
The experts stressed that Ebola response strategies must comply with international human rights standards, including protections related to health, cultural identity, and equal treatment. They warned that Indigenous vulnerability must be explicitly integrated into public health planning rather than treated as a secondary concern.
The statement was issued by UN Special Rapporteurs on the right to health and on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, who operate as independent experts under the UN Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures system.
