Bushman supporters challenge President Mogae in New York

American supporters of the Gana and Gwi Bushmen challenged President Mogae of Botswana at a ‘diamonds for development’ meeting in New York yesterday.

The supporters handed leaflets to people entering the meeting at the Council on Foreign Relations. The leaflets read:

‘AIDS was unknown among the CKGR Bushmen (called Basarwa in Botswana) while in their homeland; AIDS has skyrocketed among them since their forced removal.’

President Mogae was questioned about the evictions during the meeting.

International condemnation of the Bushman evictions is mounting alongside a growing international consensus on the rights of indigenous peoples. The UN Human Rights Council voted this year in favour of the declaration on indigenous peoples’ rights. The International Commission of Jurists and Survival International issued a joint statement last week calling on the UN General Assembly to adopt the declaration.

For more information contact Miriam Ross on +44 (0)20 7687 8734 or [email protected]