Botswana:Iman backs company which opposes indigenous rights 19 November 2003Somali supermodel Iman is backing a company which opposes indigenous peoples' rights, despite press reports that she had withdrawn her support. Iman is the public 'face' of De Beers, and is reportedly being paid around US$1 million.
Botswana:Botswana Bushmens plea to De Beers and BHP Billiton 30 October 2003Botswana's Gana and Gwi Bushmen' are asking De Beers and BHP Billiton not to mine on their land until their rights to return to it and live on it in peace are respected.
South Africa:South African court rules 'indigenous peoples own their own land' 14 October 2003On 14 October 2003, in one of the most historic court judgments ever made in favour of indigenous peoples, the Constitutional Court of South Africa ruled that an indigenous people had both communal land ownership and mineral rights over their territory.
Botswana:Helpful letter from the European Council 5 October 2003Five European Heads of Mission [Ambassadors] to Botswana recently
produced a report on the Bushmen's relocation. All Survival's attempts to see a
copy of this report have been rebuffed. The following is typical of the replies
rece
Botswana: 42 UK MPs sign Bushmen motion 29 September 2003A motion tabled in the UK parliament, supporting the rights of the Gana and
Gwi Bushmen of Botswana, has been signed so far by 42 MPs.
Botswana:EU supports indigenous rights in Africa 14 September 2003The European Parliament has this month adopted strong new resolutions
supporting indigenous peoples' rights in Africa. The parliament announced it
'strongly' supports the demands of the Pygmies, 'Bushmen' ('Basarwa') and
South Africa:Bushmen win royalties for their desert expertise 30 June 2003'Bushmen' have eaten parts of the hoodia cactus to suppress their hunger and thirst during long hunting trips and journeys in the desert. Now, a US drug company is using the plant to develop what may become a new anti-obesity drug.
Botswana: Persecution of Bushmen stepped up 16 June 2003At least ten Bushmen from Molapo, in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), Botswana, have been charged with entering a game reserve without a permit. Botswana police issued the charges yesterday, June 16. The Bushmen have to appear in court on June 23
Botswana:Botswana president: Bushmen can't go home 11 June 2003President Mogae of Botswana told a protester in the UK this week that the
Gana and Gwi 'Bushmen' who have been forced off their land in the Central
Kalahari Game Reserve will not be allowed to go home.
Botswana:Bushman land carved up for diamond exploration 31 March 2003The Government was justified in removing the Basarwa [Bushmen'] from the Reserve... It is sensible of Government to take such action. Otherwise who would always want to remain in the Dark Ages while others move forward?'
