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| Bushman children, CKGR, Botswana 2004
© 2004 Stephen Corry/Survival |
Botswana has been condemned by the United Nations for its 'discrimination'
against Bushman tribes. The UN Human Rights Commission heard that the Bushmen
have been the victims of 'discriminatory practices', and are being 'dispossessed
of their traditional lands'.
The criticism comes in a report by the UN's special rapporteur on indigenous
peoples, Mr Rodolfo Stavenhagen. The Human Rights Commission will discuss the
report shortly.
The report goes on to say that the Bushmen's 'survival as a distinct people
is endangered by official assimilationist policies.' Mr Stavenhagen visited
Botswana in February, and went to a camp where Gana and Gwi Bushmen from the
Central Kalahari Game Reserve had just been relocated against their will.
Survival's director, Stephen Corry, said today, 'Not a single
independent person who has talked to the Bushmen believes they wanted to leave
the CKGR. Everyone – including the United Nations – knows the Bushmen were
kicked out against their will.'
NB The names Gana and Gwi contain sounds not conveyed by this spelling, and
can be written as G//ana and G/wi. Survival omits the symbols '//' and '/' as
they are not understood by most people internationally.
Click here to donate to Survival's Bushman campaign.
Click here to join Survival's letter writing campaign on behalf of Botswana's Bushmen.
For more information contact Miriam Ross (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
