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JOINT PRESS RELEASE
BETWEEN THE OGIEK OF KENYA
AND THE BUSHMEN OF BOTSWANA
We the 'hunter-gather' and the 'Bushmen' have unique human rights violations
that include discrimination, oppression, harassment, marginalization and lack
of political representation in parliaments and government sectors. We do
reaffirm as a sign of solidarity that "self determination and affirmative
action should prevail to the Bushmen".
In accordance with the theme, we demand for the following issues to be
addressed to the Bushmen with immediate effect;
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1.
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That Human Rights is
civil and political in nature, hence the government of Botswana
should allow the Bushmen to "go back to their ancestral land as
they are friendly to its environment".
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2.
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That it's against the
United Nations Convections and human rights instruments to
forcefully evicts persons without the principles of consultation,
participation and free prior Informed consent.
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3.
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That the Botswana
government is a signatory to various UN convections that includes
protects on the rights of the child and women, buts its sad to not
that it has prejudice in "Toto" its agreement.
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4.
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That many families have
been separated resulting to many death due to increase of diseases
like HIV/Aids that has wiped majority of the generations; and we
quote one victim of separation Mrs Bahedile in New Xade ' I want to
see my husnabd Mr. Mongwegi of Metsiamanong in CKGR whom we
separated during forcefully eviction in February 2005 to date'.
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5.
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The government of
President Festus Mogaye should immediately compensate those injured
during evictions that includes;
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And address with care and speed
the problems of the Bushmen as he has managed to the strong economy and having
leaping trigonometrically progression, being the second fastest growing
economy after the South Africa.
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6.
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That all the alleged
clandestine activities which include the drilling in such of
diamonds should be stopped until the case in court is determined.
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7.
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That the government of
Botswana should pave way for the UN special rappoteours on various
mandates to visit the country and access the claims besides giving
the advice and possible solutions; so as to reduce the increased
stain of reputations and image of the independent government.
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8.
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That all the cases in
court should be heard and determined sooner by the independent
judges and magistrates without interferences from the government
extremely executive arm and the parliament.
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9.
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That the development of
infrastructures should follow the people but not the people to
follow the development.
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In conclusion, government in
consultation with its citizens should entrench positive policies and
mechanisms that will recognize, affirm, and protect the rights, interests, and
values of the locals (Bushmen) rather than the multinational companies'
investors.
Finally, allow them to stay and co-exist with the ecosystems, the animals, the
trees, and their culture as they have always been.
Signed:
For Ogiek
Kiplangat Cheruyot .........
Mpoiko Kobei ........
For Bushmen:
Roy Sesena ......
Jumanda Gakelebone .....
Solomon Solly Phetolo ......
D. Xukuri .......
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