The European Parliament has this month adopted strong new resolutions supporting indigenous peoples' rights in Africa. The parliament announced it 'strongly' supports the demands of the Pygmies, 'Bushmen' ('Basarwa') and others to be recognised as indigenous peoples.
Indigenous and tribal peoples' right to communal ownership of their land is guaranteed under international law, but many African countries fail to recognise this. In Botswana, the Gana and Gwi Bushmen (locally known as 'Basarwa' )have been evicted from their land and forced into resettlement camps, while in Tanzania more than 200 Maasai families face eviction from the Ngorongoro Crater.
The parliament also resolves that its agreements must contain 'specific clauses and mechanisms to assess respect for and the protection of the fundamental rights of indigenous peoples, who are all too often the victims of extremely serious and systematic violations'.
Meanwhile, a member of the European Parliament, Richard Howitt, has asked that 'European Union funding of the 'Wildlife Conservation and Management Programme' in Botswana should be made dependent on the proper recognition of Bushman land rights in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and on Bushmen being allowed to return freely to their land within the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
Act now to help the Bushmen
Your support is vital if the Bushmen are to survive. There are many ways you can help.
- Writing a letter to the Botswana government is a quick and simple way to let them know of your concern.
- Donate to the Bushman campaign (and other Survival campaigns).
- Write to your MP or MEP (UK) or Senators and members of Congress (US).
- Write to your local Botswana high commission or embassy.
- If you want to get more involved, contact Survival…
- Visit the Bushmen’s own website…
