Govt slammed over vote against UN resolution
While there has been no direct comment from the government, social commentators have responded to Namibia's resistance to discussing genocide, war crimes and ethnic cleansing.
The motion to propose that the 'Responsibility to Protect' and the 'Prevention of Genocide, War Crimes, Ethnic Cleansing and Crimes against Humanity' resolution be included on the 72nd UN General Assembly's agenda was moved by Australia and Ghana.
On Friday, Namibia voted against this motion along with 21 other countries including Cuba, North Korea, Myanmar, Pakistan and Burundi.
A total of 113 countries voted for the motion, while 17 abstained.
Information minister Tjekero Tweya told Namibian Sun that he had no knowledge of the resolution or how the Namibian delegation voted.
Local commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah said it was shocking that Namibia would make such a bold statement against human rights when the country itself was “living proof” of genocide.
“In fact Namibia should be the first to advocate for the protection of humanity. I do not understand why we are afraid to put our stamp of approval on this,” he stressed.
He strongly urged the government to explain thoroughly why it had decided to vote against the motion and whether it had been influenced by the Swapo 'dungeon' probe.
“It gives the impression that we do not care about human rights and the people that are suffering from these crimes,” he said.
Last month the Committee of Parents and the Truth and Justice Committee launched an international inquiry into crimes against humanity committed during 1966 to 1989 and in postcolonial Namibia that has attracted strong opposition from the Swapo-led government.
The committee is investigating the alleged killings and detention of Namibian refugees, torture and forced confessions of detainees from complaints against Swapo's leadership made by members of its youth wing in 1976, as well as members of Plan, the involvement and complicity of foreign missions and other instances, the probing of the John Ya Otto Commission of Inquiry, and other related matters.
Local constitutional law expert Professor Nico Horn said it made no sense for Namibia to have voted against the motion. Namibia has repeatedly committed itself to the cause of Saharawi people and the Palestinians.
Horn speculated that perhaps Namibia had been forced to vote against the motion out of fear that Morocco might use the Swapo dungeon probe against it.
Experts were further confused by this vote given the fact that Namibia is still grappling with the aftermath of the 1904-08 genocide against Nama and Ovaherero people that wiped out an estimated 80% of the Herero people and 50% of the Nama people.
Another commentator, Graham Hopwood, argued that Namibia's vote put it in direct contravention of the Bill of Rights in the Namibian Constitution, which unequivocally promotes the right to life, human dignity, protection and liberty and equality.
“It is very shocking. I cannot see any reason why Namibian would vote no. It brings the country in disrepute in terms of its standing on human rights,” he said.
South Africa and Botswana voted for the motion while Zimbabwe voted against it. Malawi and Angola abstained.
JEMIMA BEUKES
The motion to propose that the 'Responsibility to Protect' and the 'Prevention of Genocide, War Crimes, Ethnic Cleansing and Crimes against Humanity' resolution be included on the 72nd UN General Assembly's agenda was moved by Australia and Ghana.
On Friday, Namibia voted against this motion along with 21 other countries including Cuba, North Korea, Myanmar, Pakistan and Burundi.
A total of 113 countries voted for the motion, while 17 abstained.
Information minister Tjekero Tweya told Namibian Sun that he had no knowledge of the resolution or how the Namibian delegation voted.
Local commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah said it was shocking that Namibia would make such a bold statement against human rights when the country itself was “living proof” of genocide.
“In fact Namibia should be the first to advocate for the protection of humanity. I do not understand why we are afraid to put our stamp of approval on this,” he stressed.
He strongly urged the government to explain thoroughly why it had decided to vote against the motion and whether it had been influenced by the Swapo 'dungeon' probe.
“It gives the impression that we do not care about human rights and the people that are suffering from these crimes,” he said.
Last month the Committee of Parents and the Truth and Justice Committee launched an international inquiry into crimes against humanity committed during 1966 to 1989 and in postcolonial Namibia that has attracted strong opposition from the Swapo-led government.
The committee is investigating the alleged killings and detention of Namibian refugees, torture and forced confessions of detainees from complaints against Swapo's leadership made by members of its youth wing in 1976, as well as members of Plan, the involvement and complicity of foreign missions and other instances, the probing of the John Ya Otto Commission of Inquiry, and other related matters.
Local constitutional law expert Professor Nico Horn said it made no sense for Namibia to have voted against the motion. Namibia has repeatedly committed itself to the cause of Saharawi people and the Palestinians.
Horn speculated that perhaps Namibia had been forced to vote against the motion out of fear that Morocco might use the Swapo dungeon probe against it.
Experts were further confused by this vote given the fact that Namibia is still grappling with the aftermath of the 1904-08 genocide against Nama and Ovaherero people that wiped out an estimated 80% of the Herero people and 50% of the Nama people.
Another commentator, Graham Hopwood, argued that Namibia's vote put it in direct contravention of the Bill of Rights in the Namibian Constitution, which unequivocally promotes the right to life, human dignity, protection and liberty and equality.
“It is very shocking. I cannot see any reason why Namibian would vote no. It brings the country in disrepute in terms of its standing on human rights,” he said.
South Africa and Botswana voted for the motion while Zimbabwe voted against it. Malawi and Angola abstained.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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