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Namibia |
HUMAN RIGHTS
When nations worldwide commemorated the UN International Day
in Support
of Victims of Torture on 26 June,
Namibia’s Legal Assistance Centre (LAC)
which organised the festivities here were a disappointed lot
Amidst expectation of the presence of a minister to address the large crowd of people who turned up for the event, not a single government official was on hand to deliver a message.
A week before the event, LAC‘s director, Clement Daniels, had assured the nation: «This day is a non-political international event and will be attended by government officials, diplomats, UN representatives and members of the general public.» After the event, he was hard put to explain the absence of government leaders whose presence was badly needed. The government spokesman, Mocks Shivute, also failed to give the Media a clear-cut answer for his government’s silent boycott of the event. «It is difficult to comment until I find out what exactly happened,» said Shivute, who is Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Information and Broadcasting. «There is maybe a reason why they (government officials) didn’t turn up, but it certainly wasn’t a boycott by the government».
On 12 December 1997, the UN General Assembly decreed that every 26 June would be kept as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. It should be pointed out that Namibia is not only a member of the UN, but is also a signatory to the Convention Against Torture. But it took Namibia until 2000 to keep the day, albeit without government blessing.
Some observers say the government «boycott» should be explained in terms of the longstanding reluctance by the leaders to talk about past events during the liberation struggle, including cases of torture.
Past atrocities
President Sam Nujoma’s government has vehemently opposed pressure from human rights organisations and Church bodies, to set up a South African-style Truth and Reconciliation Commission where those who perpetrated human rights abuses could come and confess. The government’s argument is that such a move could only open old wounds. It was known that past atrocities committed by the liberation movement — the South-West African Peoples Organisation (SWAPO) which spearheaded South Africa’s occupation of the country — were going to be discussed during the celebrations — hence the government «boycott» of the proceedings.
Despite being shunned by the government, the commemoration went ahead. It was mainly attended by victims of torture both at the hands of the South African apartheid regime that formerly ruled Namibia, and SWAPO.
Paul Ipumbu is one such victim. When he was a SWAPO freedom fighter, he had been captured by the South African colonial troops at Cassinga in Angola. He told the gathering that the burning question which confronts any victim of torture is: «Should I forgive my torturer?» The problem is, that many victims carry the scars of their sufferings until their dying day and it is extremely difficult to say: «I forgive the person who did this to me». Also, when the question of reparations arises, to whom should the victim address him/herself? You can hardly say that the current government is responsible for what happened to you, so where do you turn?
Nangula Kathindi is secretary-general of the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN. She also attended the event and said that her Council has spoken out clearly against any form of torture or violence. «Our mandate as a Christian organisation is based on Christian principles which are outlined in both the Old and the New Testaments. These are also the very principles which are propagated by the ecumenical movement worldwide, which also condemns any form of torture or violence». She said the CCN is committed to making a contribution in Namibian society in ensuring that the UN Conventions continuing the issue of torture are adhered to.
In its Article Eight Section Two, Namibia’s Constitution states: «No person shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.» Commenting on this section, Kathindi said: «This is fully in agreement with Christian principles. We encourage our society to follow the Constitution of our Republic to the letter at all levels. It is, however, very painful to note that some members of our society have become victims of torture and violence especially during the apartheid era and, unfortunately, even after independence.»
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