The entry permits last one month and are only granted to those Bushmen with relatives in the reserve – a policy clearly designed to slowly diminish the number of Bushmen able to access their land. The Bushmen live in constant fear of overstaying the permits amidst repression by wildlife scouts and paramilitary police.
But the government has managed to get the case dismissed on technicalities, and because it has denied that all applicants were resident in the CKGR at the time of the 2002 eviction. The judge ruled that the applicants would have to come to court and prove this.
This is the second major setback for the Bushmen in the seminal case, after their lawyer Gordon Bennett was controversially barred from entering the country to represent them at court.
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…
Comments?
All original material © JN Web Design