The Central Kalahari Game Reserve has for decades been one of the last refuges of the Gana, Gwi and Bakgalakgadi (commonly referred to as San or ‘Bushmen’) peoples of Botswana. Some years back, large diamond deposits were discovered in the Reserve. With the prospect of huge profits for the Government looming on the horizon, forced removals have been taking place in successive waves and dramatically diminished the population of San in the Reserve. Since the last settlements of the San have been destroyed the Reserve area has now been hermetically sealed off by security forces in order to force out the tiny remaining population through a deliberate starvation policy and hunger blockade. The survival of this decided group that is resisting removal is now at stake and their death is imminent if the Botswana government does not immediately end this grave violation of the right to food.
An urgent action is needed in order to immediately end the systematic starvation policy towards the remaining San people in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Please send a formal letter to Mr. Festus Mogae, the President of Botswana asking him to take immediate steps to end the current hunger blockade.