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| Bushman child, CKGR, Botswana 2004
© 2004 Stephen Corry/Survival |
Five non-governmental organisations have issued strong statements condemning the eviction of the Gana and Gwi Bushmen
from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The statements, from Botswana,
Namibia, South Africa, Germany, Switzerland and France, reflect
increasing international outrage at the shootings, beatings, eviction
and arrests of recent weeks.
RETENG, the Multicultural Coalition of Botswana, says, The continued
force employed by the government is a clear violation of [the Gana and
Gwi's] human rights, and government is further in contempt of court. We
therefore call upon the international community to condemn the Botswana
government for these acts of violence and non-adherence to the rule of
law.'
The Namibian National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has slammed the
government of neighbouring Botswana for waging a campaign of terror'
against the Bushmen. The incessant persecution of these two vulnerable
groups exposes the false image of Botswana as one of Africa's most
democratic countries,' says the society's director Phil ya Nangoloh.
FIAN, the Germany-based international human rights organisation
campaigning for the right to adequate food, is calling for supporters
to write to President Mogae of Botswana demanding an end to his
government's deliberate starvation policy and hunger blockade' of the
Bushmen's reserve. The survival of this group that is
resisting removal is now at stake and their death is imminent if the
Botswana government does not immediately end this grave violation of
the right to food,' reads the bulletin.
The Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE), an international
NGO with its headquarters in Switzerland and an office in South Africa,
has written to President Mogae expressing its grave concern' over the
forced eviction of the Bushmen.
ACAT-France, part of the International Federation of Action by
Christians Against Torture, has issued an action bulletin requesting
its members to write to President Mogae demanding an enquiry into the
recent torture cases, and highlighting the violence, death threats and
arbitrary detention faced by the Bushmen.
To read RETENG's press release click here
To read the NSHR's 13 September press releases on this issue click here
To read the NSHR's 10 October press release click here
To read FIAN's urgent action click here
To read COHRE's letters click here
To read ACAT-France's urgent action bulletin click here
For further information, please contact Miriam Ross on +44 20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
