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| Bushman children, CKGR, Botswana 2004
© 2004 Stephen Corry/Survival |
The Botswana government is marking the second anniversary of its expulsion of
Gana and Gwi Bushmen' from their land by carrying out a new wave of harassment.
Over the weekend wildlife officials arrested and charged seven Bushmen with
hunting near the bleak resettlement camp where they now live. Several Bushmen
were ordered to confess at gunpoint that they had been hunting. The officials
have plied some Bushmen with alcohol and cannabis to try to obtain information
about others who have been hunting.
Tension caused by the harassment spilled over into a spate of stone-throwing
against the wildlife officials, who have been sighted today heading back into
the camp in larger numbers. The Bushmen who have been charged now face up to two
years' imprisonment.
Apart from what little they can obtain by hunting in the barren land around
the camps, the Bushmen are almost totally dependent on government handouts for
their food.
A Bushman spokesman said today, The wildlife officials are searching
our houses and threatening us at gunpoint. Please tell the world what is
happening.'
Photos and footage available. For more information contact Miriam Ross on
(+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
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