Ditshwanelo calls for Botswana�s intervention in xenophobia attacks

Spira Tlhankane | Thursday April 23, 2015 18:23

 

In a statement released on Tuesday, Ditshwanelo termed the attacks that have claimed at least seven lives as heinous. The statement comes shortly after foreign governments strongly criticised South Africa for failing to protect their nationals.

Ditshwanelo has recognised that racism, discrimination and xenophobia also exist in Botswana. The human rights body believes that prejudice and lack of information and power fuel discrimination and xenophobia.

Hence, Ditshwanelo urges the government of Botswana to call for an extraordinary SADC Summit to publicly condemn the attacks on foreigners in South Africa. It wants the government to call on South Africa to address the underlying causes that have led to its citizens expressing their frustrations through xenophobia.

Meanwhile, Ditshwanelo has said claims by Botswana poet, Berry Heart that her rights were violated in a racial attack in Kasane should be treated with the seriousness they deserve.

It said the disturbing racial attack on the poet in Kasane on April 4 2015 indicates that Botswana is not immune to racism. Ditshwanelo recommends that the government of Botswana review Section 3 of the Constitution to adopt a clear definition of racial discrimination.