BOTSWANA: evection of bushmen unlawful and unconstitutional

BOTSWANA: evection of bushmen unlawful and unconstitutional

Support our journalism. Become a Patron!
September 11, 2006
 

SURVIVAL INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
5 September 2006

Botswana’s high court began hearing the Bushmen’s lawyer present his final arguments yesterday. Lawyer Gordon Bennett argued that the eviction of the Bushmen was unlawful, unconstitutional and was done without their consent.

Bennett pointed out that the state had not brought even one of the Gana and Gwi Bushmen to court to testify that they agreed with their relocation from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. This, he said, was a ‘telling omission’.

He also pointed to documents showing that in 1990, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2001, the Bushmen living in the reserve said they did not want to move. The government’s lawyers had produced no evidence to suggest that the Bushmen had changed their minds by the time of the evictions in early 2002. Bennett argued that they moved because they were ‘placed under intolerable pressure by the government to leave the reserve.’

Bennett noted that the government had withdrawn services from the Bushmen in the reserve which it itself admitted were ‘basic’ and ‘essential’. He argued that, contrary to the government’s claims, the withdrawal of these services had nothing to do with their cost. ‘That cost must have paled into insignificance compared to the millions and millions spent on infrastructure, roads, water supplies and so on at New Xade and Kaudwane [the government’s resettlement camps].’

He also said the government, in illegally withdrawing the Bushmen’s hunting licences, was ‘prepared to break its own law to achieve its purpose.’

Bennett demonstrated that the evidence of government witnesses was often unreliable and contradictory, and invited the court ‘to consider to what extent we can place reliance on any evidence of any of the government witnesses.’

The arguments are scheduled to continue for the rest of this week.
-ENDS-

To read a summary of issues prepared by the Bushmen’s legal team, visit http://www.survival-international.org/r … php?id=150

The court is open to journalists and members of the public.

For further information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org

source

We help tribal peoples defend their lives, protect their lands and determine their own futures.

Survival International
6 Charterhouse Buildings
London EC1M 7ET
UK

Tel: (+44) (0)20 7687 8700
Fax: (+44) (0)20 7687 8701

http:// www.survival-international.org

We're fighting for our lives

Indigenous Peoples are putting their bodies on the line and it's our responsibility to make sure you know why. That takes time, expertise and resources - and we're up against a constant tide of misinformation and distorted coverage. By supporting IC you're empowering the kind of journalism we need, at the moment we need it most.

independent uncompromising indigenous
Except where otherwise noted, articles on this website are licensed under a Creative Commons License