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| Bushman women, Namibia
© Mark Håkansson/Survival |
Protests outside diamond conference
In another sign that the campaign for Gana and Gwi Bushmen rights is
spreading across the world, Survival has learnt that there was a large protest
today outside the World Diamond Conference in Vancouver, Canada.
The protest has been organised by a Canadian group called VIPIRG – Vancouver
Island Public Interest Research Group.
VIPIRG member Jessica Asch told Survival, 'There has been a lot of
publicity here about the relocation of Bushmen from the Central Kalahari Game
Reserve, so when we heard about the World Diamond Conference taking place in
Vancouver we wanted to show our concern, and let the Botswana government and De
Beers know how we Canadians feel about it. We are well aware of the devastating
consequences of colonisation and mass relocations on Indigenous Peoples. We know
the same process is taking place in Botswana to make way for diamond mining and
are determined to stand in solidarity with the Bushmen. We want the people of
Botswana to know that this is not beyond our scrutiny. We're determined to raise
our voices with others in protest.'
The conference is being attended by diamond industry representatives from
around the world. Survival has published an advert today in the city's main
newspaper, the Vancouver Sun, to alert conference representatives to the scandal
of the Bushmen's relocation.
Survival International's Director, Stephen Corry, said today, 'It
really is encouraging to know that the people of Vancouver are supporting the
Bushmen like this. We expect concern to continue spreading to other countries in
the near future.'
Click here to donate to Survival's Bushman campaign.
Click here to join Survival's letter writing campaign on behalf of Botswana's Bushmen.
