 |
| Bushman child, Botswana
© Fiona Watson/Survival |
The Kalahari Bushmen of Botswana have made a desperate appeal for help
to Leonardo DiCaprio, who stars in the forthcoming film The Blood
Diamond'. The appeal appears today as a full-page advert in Variety
magazine.
The Bushmen have also sent a letter to Leonardo. Bushman Roy Sesana
writes, Friends have told us that you are in a film, The Blood
Diamond', which shows how badly diamonds can hurt. We know this. When
we were chased off our land, officials told us it was because of the
diamond finds.
Please help us, Sir. We know you are a famous and respected man, and
that if you speak up for us many people will listen. We just want to go
home, and hunt and gather and live in peace like we have always done.'
The Botswana government has brutally evicted the Gana and Gwi Bushmen
from their land in the Central Kalahari, and De Beers diamond company
is exploring for diamonds there. The Bushmen are calling for a boycott
of De Beers and Botswana diamonds until they are allowed back on their
land.
Actors Colin Firth and Julie Christie have already spoken out in
support of the Bushmen. Julie Christie said today, Diamonds as the
cause of misery and suffering are not a thing of the past. The Bushman
evictions in Botswana are a clear demonstration that local people are
still suffering because of these stones.'
Survival's Director Stephen Corry said today, The Gana and Gwi now
face total extinction as peoples, not from war, but from being robbed
of their land. It's horrific that this can happen in the 21st century.
For this reason people increasingly view De Beers's Botswanan gems as
conflict diamonds.'
The Gana and Gwi Bushmen's organization First People of the Kalahari launched their own website earlier this month: www.iwant2gohome.org
Press file available. For further information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
Download the Variety advert and the press file below:
