GUEST EDITORIAL: A good day for Namibia
JANA-MARI SMITH
Minutes before a High Court judge ruled on the fate of a two-year-old boy, his parents and siblings, those taking their seats in court to hear a landmark judgement remained cautiously and nervously pessimistic.
The Delgado-Lühl family have faced one after the other hurdle in their simple quest to live as a family in Namibia.
They have seen the inside of a courtroom more times in the past two years than most people do in a lifetime.
A string of costly legal cases has highlighted the unequal treatment meted out to Namibians deemed as ‘other’.
This family has been belittled and ridiculed by fellow Namibians and by home affairs officials since their decision to get married and start a family here.
They have fought legal battles just to be allowed to come home.
Yesterday’s judgement in favour of the children’s rights to be granted citizenship by descent is a huge win. Not only for the family, but for Namibia.
That family, and their supporters, had reasons to cry tears of joy for the first time in two years.
But their battle isn’t over. Their right to stay in Namibia as a family still faces a Supreme Court hurdle.
But for now, the spirit of dignity, equality and humanity won the day.
Minutes before a High Court judge ruled on the fate of a two-year-old boy, his parents and siblings, those taking their seats in court to hear a landmark judgement remained cautiously and nervously pessimistic.
The Delgado-Lühl family have faced one after the other hurdle in their simple quest to live as a family in Namibia.
They have seen the inside of a courtroom more times in the past two years than most people do in a lifetime.
A string of costly legal cases has highlighted the unequal treatment meted out to Namibians deemed as ‘other’.
This family has been belittled and ridiculed by fellow Namibians and by home affairs officials since their decision to get married and start a family here.
They have fought legal battles just to be allowed to come home.
Yesterday’s judgement in favour of the children’s rights to be granted citizenship by descent is a huge win. Not only for the family, but for Namibia.
That family, and their supporters, had reasons to cry tears of joy for the first time in two years.
But their battle isn’t over. Their right to stay in Namibia as a family still faces a Supreme Court hurdle.
But for now, the spirit of dignity, equality and humanity won the day.
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