 |
| Bushman woman, CKGR, Botswana 2004
© Stephen Corry/Survival |
The land rights of the Gana and Gwi Bushmen have been raised in the European
Parliament.
Glenys Kinnock, a prominent Member of the European Parliament asked,
'What plans does the Commission have to make EU support for the
development of Botswana's national parks conditional on a guarantee of land
ownership rights for the Bushmen in the Central Kalahari Game
Reserve?'
The question is an indication that the EU's aid to Botswana is beginning to
come under scrutiny, after the brutal forced removal of the Bushmen.
Recently the European Commission wrote to Survival that 'the European
Commission supports the indigenous peoples' communal and inalienable ownership
of the territories they traditionally inhabit.'
Survival International's Director, Stephen Corry, said today, 'It is
a scandal that Europe is being asked to pay for Botswana's national parks
programme at the same time as the biggest one is being illegally 'cleansed' of
its people. The money should be held back until the Bushmen have their land
back.'
Click here to donate to Survival's Bushman campaign.
Click here to join Survival's letter writing campaign on behalf of Botswana's Bushmen.
