botswana: PERSECUTION OF BUSHMEN STEPPED UP

SURVIVAL INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELEASE

17 June 2003

PERSECUTION OF BUSHMEN STEPPED UP

Bushmen charged for entering their ancestral land

At 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.

The Gana and Gwi Bushmen were evicted from their ancestral land in
the central Kalahari, where they have lived for thousands of years,
by the Botswana government in 1997 and February 2002. A small number
of Bushmen managed to stay on their land in spite of intimidation by
the authorities. Others who were evicted have managed to return to
their homes despite fierce government opposition, and hundreds more
wish to go back.

While visiting the UK last week, the President of Botswana, Festus
Mogae, stated that he would not let the Bushmen go home as the game
reserve 'is for animals, not people'. In September the Bushmen were
told they were free to go back to the CKGR. The Bushmen are the
original inhabitants of the central Kalahari. The CKGR was
established in the 1960s to protect Bushman lands from encroachment.

Photos and footage available. Contact for journalist enquiries:
Sophie Thomas tel (+44) (0)20 7687 8731 or email
[email protected]

If you would like to receive Survival's news releases or monthly
updates by email register on the following page of our website:
http://www.survival-international.org/enews.htm
___________________________
Survival International is a worldwide organisation supporting tribal
peoples. It stands for their right to decide their own future and
helps them protect their lives, lands and human rights.

Survival International
6 Charterhouse Buildings
London EC1M 7ET
UK

Tel: (+44) (0)20 7687 8700
Fax: (+44) (0)20 7687 8701
General enquiries: [email protected]
http://www.survival-international.org