Equality court needed

The only way Namibians can deal with discrimination, racism and tribalism is by introducing an equality court, says Ombudsman John Walters. He made this comment after a group of young San women spoke to Namibian Sun about suffering severe discrimination and abuse at the hands of farm owners. The women also spoke about induced alcoholism that has driven the San into poverty and an array of diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/Aids. “We must get away from criminalising racism, you will not get any justice,” said Walters. He also said the question should be asked whether the existing laws are sufficient to address discrimination in the country. Walters also noted that his office is in the process of drafting the implementation plan of the Human Rights Action Plan. “We are just waiting for information about two crucial themes that I cannot reveal now,” he said. Walters also revealed that he has submitted a draft white paper on the indigenous people of Namibia to the Office of the Vice-President, for which approval is still pending. It includes suggestions for the development of a law to protect the rights of indigenous people. The document also calls for improved access to land and land tenure, as well as the improvement of the health status of indigenous people. It also calls for the advancement of gender equality of indigenous women and girls. The National Human Rights Action Plan was launched on December 9 by former President Hifikepunye Pohamba. The 2014 United States Human Rights Country Report on Namibia said the country was in breach of three major human rights. These were the slow pace of court proceedings, violence and discrimination against women and children, and discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender. According to the report, delayed court proceedings resulted in the lengthy pre-trial detention of prisoners in poor conditions. The report said other governmental human rights problems in Namibia included unlawful police killings, the incarceration of juveniles with adults, corruption by officials, and discrimination against ethnic minorities and indigenous people. Namibia’s San tribe constitutes about 2% of the population and totals between 27 000 and 38 000 people. Liz Frank of the Women Leadership Centre said the centre is in the process of organising a network for young women from the San communities in Namibia, Botswana and those living in exile at Platfontein in South Africa. “We want to build a network of young San women across Southern Africa in order to address their living conditions,” said Frank. JEMIMA BEUKES