BOTSWANA: WATER BAN - BUSHMAN LEADER TRAVELS TO LONDON
The Botswana government has banned the Kalahari Bushmen from using their own water as UN World Water Day approaches on 22 March. A Bushman leader is travelling to London this week to protest against the ban.
Botswana's Attorney General has written to the Bushmen's lawyers turning down their request for permission to install a pump at an existing borehole on their land in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR). The reason given was that the borehole is the property of the government.
Botswana's High Court ruled in December that the Bushmen had the right to live on their land, and that their forceful eviction from the CKGR in 2002 had been illegal. They now wish to organise their own water supply, at their own expense.
Jumanda Gakelebone of Bushman organisation First People of the Kalahari said today, 'The court said we could go back to our land, but now we see that the government is doing everything it can to stop us. Why else would it stop us using a borehole that nobody else is using? Without water we cannot live in the Kalahari.'
The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, refers to the right to water as a 'fundamental human need and therefore a basic human right'.
Gakelebone will be in London from 20 to 26 March, and is available for interview.
SURVIVAL INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
1 March 2007
INDIA QUESTIONED BY UN ON JARAWA
Indian officials were questioned by the UN on Monday about India's protection of the Jarawa tribe of the Andaman Islands.
The Indian delegation was questioned at the annual session of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Rapporteur to the Committee, Patrick Thornberry, asked the delegation to explain what measures had been implemented to protect the Jarawa.
Survival had submitted a report to the UN prior to the meeting, warning that the Jarawa tribe could be 'wiped out' unless the Indian government acts to protect them. The report describes the Jarawa's future as 'extremely precarious'. It warns that failure to close the road running through the Jarawa's land and failure to keep poachers out leaves the 300 Jarawa at risk from exploitation and fatal diseases which could decimate their population.
The Indian delegation did not respond to the committee on the issue of the Jarawa.
To download a copy of Survival's report visit http://www.survival-international.org/related_material.php?id=529
-ENDS-
For further information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
To read this press release online visit http://survival-international.org/news.php?id=2246
--
The Brazilian government has discovered signs of some of the world's last uncontacted tribes living near the border with Peru.
The Indians are believed to have fled illegal mahogany logging sweeping through Peru's rainforests, destroying the Indians' homelands and forcing them out of their traditional territory.
During an aerial inspection of the area, Brazilian government officials spotted a village and various hunting camps. They also found felled mahogany trees and drums of chainsaw oil floating down the Envira River.
The Brazilian government estimates that there are already three different uncontacted groups living in this region. Officials fear that as more uncontacted Indians seek refuge from Peru, fatal conflicts may break out between them.
José Carlos dos Reis Meirelles Júnior, head of a Brazilian government post on the Envira River, said 'The most important thing is not to know who they are or to which group they belong, but to protect them, guarantee their territory and let them live how they wish.'
Stephen Corry, director of Survival, said today, 'Unless the Peruvian government acts now to stop logging in the lands of these uncontacted Indians, they may well be consigned to history as the first peoples to disappear this century.'
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For further information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
To read this press release online visit http://survival-international.org/news.php?id=2242
--
'We are so happy!'
On 13 December the Gana and Gwi Bushmen of Botswana won a historic legal victory. The High Court declared the Botswana government's eviction of the Bushmen from their land 'unlawful and unconstitutional'. To read the reaction of some of the Bushmen visit
http://survival-international.org/news.php?id=2133
We help tribal peoples defend their lives, protect their lands and determine their own futures.
Survival International
6 Charterhouse Buildings
London EC1M 7ET
UK
SURVIVAL INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
21 February 2007
INDIA: CANADIAN TRIBE REACHES OUT TO JARAWA
A leader from the Innu tribe of sub-arctic eastern Canada has made a heartfelt plea to the Indian government to protect the Jarawa of the Andaman Islands, published last week in the Times of India.
The plea comes in the run-up to a discussion of India's record by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this Friday. Survival has submitted a report to the UN warning that the Jarawa tribe of the Andaman Islands could be 'wiped out' unless the Indian government acts to protect them.
Innu leader George Rich in the Times of India calls on the Indian government to ensure that the Jarawa are spared the devastation wrought on the Innu when the Canadian government moved them from their land.
'Our parents, hunters all their lives, were branded as poachers and prosecuted by wildlife officers for trying to feed their families; our teachers tried to make us ashamed of our identity and our culture.
It was like we'd suddenly become unwelcome guests in our own land.'
The Innu communities now have some of the highest suicide rates in the world, and children as young as 12 have hung themselves.
Rich continues, 'The Jarawa are not being settled like the Innu in villages far from their hunting grounds but poachers are stealing the animals they depend on, depriving them of an independent livelihood and of a central part of their culture.
'Alcohol, drugs and sexual abuse, all of which have ravaged my people, are being introduced by local settlers and sometimes, as with the Innu, by the very people the government has sent to 'look after' them. And the Jarawa, much more than the Innu, are in danger of being wiped out by new diseases brought by outsiders.
'We don't want to have to relive our own painful story as we watch the Jarawa's unfold. We can only ask the Indian government to act quickly to protect the Jarawa before it is too late. India need only look at my people's tragic story to see the alternative.
SURVIVAL INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
13 February 2007
BOTSWANA: BUSHMEN ARRESTED AND BEATEN DESPITE COURT RULING
Six Bushmen have been arrested, starved and held for six days after police and wildlife guards accused them of hunting in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana. They were then released without charge.
The arrests come only two months after the Bushmen's landmark court victory.
The men were refused food for four days and were threatened at gunpoint by police. One of the men and his wife were beaten up after refusing to let wildlife scouts and police search their home without a warrant.
Botswana's High Court ruled in December that the Botswana government's refusal to issue Bushmen with hunting licences for the game reserve was unlawful and unconstitutional. It also ruled that the Bushmen have the constitutional right to remain on their ancestral land and that their eviction by the Botswana government in 2002 was against the law.
Survival International's Director, Stephen Corry, said today, 'It's time for Botswana's government to take control of its police and wildlife guards and stop them abusing the Bushmen. We welcome the release of these men without charge, but if this mistreatment doesn't stop, Botswana's reputation is bound to take another nosedive.'
-ENDS-
For further information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
To read this press release online visit http://survival-international.org/news.php?id=2217
'We are so happy!'
On 13 December the Gana and Gwi Bushmen of Botswana won a historic legal victory. The High Court declared the Botswana government's eviction of the Bushmen from their land 'unlawful and unconstitutional'. To read the reaction of some of the Bushmen visit
http://survival-international.org/news.php?id=2133
We help tribal peoples defend their lives, protect their lands and determine their own futures.
Survival International
6 Charterhouse Buildings
London EC1M 7ET
UK
Subject: BOTSWANA: BUSHMEN RETURN HOME DESPITE POLICE PRESENCE
A group of forty Bushmen have managed to return to their homes in the
Central Kalahari Game Reserve this weekend, despite a heavy police
presence and attempts to persuade them to stay in the relocation
camps.
All the Bushmen in the convoy were allowed into the reserve by the
wildlife guards at the gates, although some were only issued with
temporary permits.
Plain-clothes police went into the reserve ahead of the Bushmen, but
have now left.
The police attempted to persuade the Bushmen not to leave New Xade
relocation camp by telling them that President Mogae first wanted to
talk to them, but the Bushmen insisted on going home.
Survival's director Stephen Corry said today, 'We hope that the
authorities will not try to make life difficult for the Bushmen
wanting to return home, and will see that it is in their own
interest, as well as that of the Bushmen, that the process is as calm
and problem-free as possible. The Bushmen are ecstatic and are full
of gratitude for all those who supported them, both in Botswana and
throughout the world.'
Photos will be available shortly. For further information contact
Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email
mr@survival-international.org
To read this press release online visit
http://survival-international.org/news.php?id=2174
'We are so happy!'
On 13 December the Gana and Gwi Bushmen of Botswana won a historic
legal victory. The High Court declared the Botswana government's
eviction of the Bushmen from their land 'unlawful and
unconstitutional'. To read the reaction of some of the Bushmen visit
http://survival-international.org/news.php?id=2133
We help tribal peoples defend their lives, protect their lands and
determine their own futures.
Survival International
6 Charterhouse Buildings
London EC1M 7ET
UK
Scenes of jubilation greeted the Botswana High Court's ruling today in favour of the Kalahari Bushmen.
The court ruled today that the Botswana government's eviction of the Bushmen was 'unlawful and unconstitutional', and that they have the right to live on their ancestral land inside the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
The court also ruled that the Bushmen applicants have the right to hunt and gather in the reserve, and should not have to apply for permits to enter it.
One of the judges, Justice Phumaphi, said the government's refusal to allow the Bushmen to hunt 'was tantamount to condemning the residents of the CKGR to death by starvation.'
However, the judges also said that the government is not obliged to provide services to Bushmen in the reserve.
Bushman spokesman Roy Sesana said outside the court, 'Today is the happiest day for us Bushmen. We have been crying for so long, but today we are crying with happiness. Finally we have been set free. The evictions have been very, very painful for my people. I hope that now we can go home to our land.'
Survival's director Stephen Corry said today, 'The court's ruling is a victory for the Bushmen and for indigenous peoples everywhere in Africa. It is also a victory for Botswana. If the government quickly enacts the court ruling, then the campaign will end and the country really will have something to be proud of.'
The court case has been the longest and most expensive in Botswana's history.
PRESS RELEASE
UN DECLARATION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE BLOCKED
Final approval at the UN General Assembly of the declaration on indigenous peoples' rights has been blocked by a group of African countries led by Namibia, and supported by Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Russia.
The declaration is the result of 24 years of discussion at the UN. The newly formed UN Human Rights Council, in its first session, recommended in June that the General Assembly approve the declaration.
This week, 87 countries voted for a 'non-active motion resolution' tabled by Namibia, with 67 countries voting against and 25 abstentions. The vote will further delay the adoption of the declaration, and may lead to it being weakened.
Botswana was among the states blocking the declaration. The Gana and Gwi Bushmen have taken the Botswana government to court over their eviction from their ancestral land. The court will rule on 13 December.
Survival's director Stephen Corry said today, 'It's extremely disappointing that the declaration is being delayed yet again. Indigenous peoples have already waited far too long for their rights to be recognised. The prime movers in this week's result all have indigenous peoples living within their borders and facing ongoing struggles for their rights to their land and to self-determination. These countries should be ashamed of themselves.'
If approved, the declaration would set a benchmark against which countries' treatment of tribal peoples can be judged; it is not legally binding. The declaration recognizes the rights of indigenous peoples to their land and to live as they wish. It also affirms that, for example, they should not be moved from their lands without their free and informed consent.
For further information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
SURVIVAL INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
12 July 2006
VIRGINIA INDIANS ARRIVE IN UK TO COMMEMORATE 400 YEARS SINCE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
A group of Virginia Indians arrive in Gravesend, England - the resting place of Pocahontas - tomorrow to start commemorations of the founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English-speaking settlement in the New World.
'As well as commemorating an extremely important historical event, the Jamestown anniversary should serve as a reminder of the devastation visited on North American Indians over the last 400 years. Incredibly, this process continues today - the Innu of eastern Canada, who are related to the Virginia Indians, are being robbed of their land in the twenty-first century,' said Survival's director Stephen Corry today.
Over the last 40 years, the Innu have been moved from their land and made to live in settled communities. The new communities are marked by extremely high levels of alcoholism, petrol-sniffing amongst children, violence, and record levels of suicides.
The visiting Virginia Indians will take part in the Virginia Indians Festival in Kent, visiting schools, churches and the University of Kent, before meeting with UK parliamentarians in London. Their visit is the first of an official Virginia Indian delegation to England in over 250 years.
Three ships sailed from London in December 1606, landing in Virginia in April 1607. Jamestown was founded soon after. The visit of the Indians marks the start of a series of commemorative events in England and the USA throughout 2006 and 2007.
To read this press release online visit http://survival-international.org/news.php?id=1759
For further information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
SURVIVAL INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
23 June 2006
BOTSWANA: BUSHMEN HOLDING OUT IN RESERVE APPEAL FOR HELP
The last group of Bushmen still holding out inside the Central Kalahari Game Reserve have smuggled out an appeal for help.
In the letter the Bushmen, thought to be around 30-strong, reveal that they are being continually 'harassed and threatened by wildlife officials and scouts' to 'pressure us to leave our homes'.
The Bushmen go on to say that, 'guards Š come every three weeks and threaten to kill us if we do not leave and move to their resettlement camps, which they built in order to force us out of the reserve, our home.'
The wildlife guards have been camping near the Bushman settlements to prevent the people from hunting or gathering. Government officials have previously destroyed the Bushmen's water supply and arrested other Bushmen trying to bring food in to their relatives inside the reserve.
SURVIVAL AND TEN OTHER LEADING CHARITIES LAUNCH CODE OF CONDUCT
Survival International and ten other leading charities have launched a ground-breaking code of conduct for NGOs (non-governmental organisations).
Survival, Oxfam, Amnesty, Greenpeace, Civicus and six other charities have joined forces to launch the Accountability Charter, which sets new standards of openness and ethical behaviour in reporting, fundraising and campaigning.
The eleven founding NGOs are now inviting other international NGOs to sign up to the Charter.
Survival's Director Stephen Corry said today, 'This is a really important initiative. NGOs today can be very powerful in influencing public opinion and shaping government policy, and it is important to recognise that this power brings with it a heavy responsibility in terms of openness and ethical behaviour. This Charter sets the benchmark which we hope other charities will follow.'
Besides Survival, the other founding members of the Charter are ActionAid International, Amnesty International, CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Consumers International, Greenpeace International, Oxfam International, International Save the Children Alliance, International Federation Terre des Hommes, Transparency International and World YWCA.
SURVIVAL AND TEN OTHER LEADING CHARITIES LAUNCH CODE OF CONDUCT
Survival International and ten other leading charities have launched a ground-breaking code of conduct for NGOs (non-governmental organisations).
Survival, Oxfam, Amnesty, Greenpeace, Civicus and six other charities have joined forces to launch the Accountability Charter, which sets new standards of openness and ethical behaviour in reporting, fundraising and campaigning.
The eleven founding NGOs are now inviting other international NGOs to sign up to the Charter.
Survival's Director Stephen Corry said today, 'This is a really important initiative. NGOs today can be very powerful in influencing public opinion and shaping government policy, and it is important to recognise that this power brings with it a heavy responsibility in terms of openness and ethical behaviour. This Charter sets the benchmark which we hope other charities will follow.'
Besides Survival, the other founding members of the Charter are ActionAid International, Amnesty International, CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Consumers International, Greenpeace International, Oxfam International, International Save the Children Alliance, International Federation Terre des Hommes, Transparency International and World YWCA.
The Kalahari Bushmen in Botswana have sent a desperate
plea for help
to actress Angelina Jolie, who gave birth to a daughter
on Saturday
in neighbouring Namibia.
The Botswana government has evicted the Gana and
Gwi Bushmen from
their ancestral land in the central Kalahari. The
Bushmen are
fighting for their right to return home. Actors
Colin Firth and Julie
Christie have already spoken out in their support.
'We have heard that you are very interested in human
rights,' reads
the open letter to Ms Jolie from Bushman organisation
First People of
the Kalahari. 'The government is trying to destroy
us and we are
asking for your help in our battle to save our people.
Many Bushmen
families have been split apart by the evictions.
Many people don't
know where their relatives are and are very worried,
desperate. They
are not allowed to attend the funerals of relatives.
'Those who have remained inside the game reserve
are not allowed to
hunt and gather and have no access to water. The
health situation is
bad in the resettlement camps. Young people are
getting HIV and are
drinking. This is not the way of our people. The
death rate is now
high.'
In the letter, written prior to the birth of Ms
Jolie's child, the
Bushmen also wished her their 'blessings and Good
Luck' for her
pregnancy.
For more information call Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20
7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
-- 'We are not primitive. We live differently to
you, but we do not live exactly like our grandparents
did, nor do you.' Roy Sesana, Gana Bushman.
We help tribal peoples defend their lives, protect
their lands and determine their own futures.
Survival International
6 Charterhouse Buildings
London EC1M 7ET
UK
