SURVIVAL INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELEASE
24 February 2005
NO HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FOR BUSHMEN
The Gana and Gwi Bushmen are marking the forty-forth anniversary today of the
establishment of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana as a home for
their people. Evicted from their homes in the reserve by the Botswana
government, they are renewing their appeal for international support for their
right to return to their land.
One Bushman said today, 'On our own land we are independent, and we know where
to find food every day. But where we have been moved there is always alcohol,
drinking and dancing. People's minds are dead. Where we have been moved into
resettlement camps our death rate has gone up. Sometimes three or five people
might die in one day. We didn't know such things inside the reserve. When we
were staying on our own without the government there were no clinics, there
were no doctors, but our health was good. We must be allowed to go back to our
land. The campaign must continue.'
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve was established on 24 February 1961, 'to
protect wildlife resources and reserve sufficient land for traditional use by
hunter-gatherer communities of the Central Kalahari.' In 1986, the Botswana
government announced its intention to empty the reserve of Bushmen, and almost
all of the Gana, Gwi and Bakgalagadi were evicted in 1997 and 2002. Over 200
Bushmen are currently taking the government to court to fight for their rights
to return to their land and hunt and gather freely.
Photos and footage available. For more information contact Miriam Ross on (+44)
(0)20 7687 8734 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
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
www.survival-international.org
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Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
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