Ditshwanelo calls for Botswana�s intervention in xenophobia attacks
Thursday, April 23, 2015

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.
While every citizen, including the Head of State, has the right to voice opinions, the tone and context of the President’s comments were regrettably dismissive and risk chilling free expression in our country. The remarks are not isolated. They form part of a disturbing pattern of public attacks on independent institutions pillars essential to the healthy functioning of our democracy. The Judiciary, the Legislature, and now the media have all...