Namibia a traitor - Venaani
Two opposition parties have come out guns blazing after the international relations minister tried to make light of Namibia's controversial vote at the UN General Assembly.
Opposition parties have accused the Namibian government of selling the nation's soul to “questionable allies” after it had voted against the inclusion of an anti-genocide vote on the agenda of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly.
Namibia on Friday voted against the inclusion of a motion on The Responsibility to Protect, also referred to as R2P.
In a statement yesterday, Nudo spokesperson Joseph Kauandenge rejected the government's official explanation that it was merely a “procedural vote” and did not reflect the government's stance on human rights.
Nudo demanded that the government provide a proper answer for this “political blunder of the century” and explain how it plans to fix Namibia's image in the eyes of the world.
“The explanation given yesterday by the international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is at best an answer given to an elementary child or better yet to a kindergarten child who cannot comprehend, analyse and form an independent opinion for himself,” he lashed out.
According to Kauandenge, the government cannot demand reparations from Germany for the 1908 Nama and OvaHerero genocide if the government itself was opposed to countries being held accountable for genocide.
Nudo believes the government was moved to vote against the inclusion of the motion because it is haunted by the recently launched Swapo dungeon probe.
“Government is demanding compensation from Germany and at the same time is at pains to keep its dark secret of people tortured by its own officials and leaders deeply hidden from the prying eyes of the world and still grieving relatives looking for answers as to what happened to their loved ones in the dungeons of Lubango,” he said.
Meanwhile, DTA president McHenry Venaani said Namibia, a nation with a history littered with human rights abuses and discrimination, had no business voting against any discussion relating to humanity.
“The Swapo Party as the majority party in government has in a moment of characteristic folly chosen to side with dictators, war criminals and human rights abusers by voting to keep the R2P off the UNGA agenda. The Swapo Party has in one fell swoop betrayed those whose blood waters our freedom,” he said.
According to Venaani, despite the government's assurance that it will give its views during the debate on the motion, irreversible damage has been done to Namibia's image as a human rights defender.
“Tragically, Namibia will henceforth be known as a sell-out of the very principles that underpinned its own revolution. The Swapo Party has played a defining role in ensuring that international intervention and support will likely not be available to scores of oppressed and threatened peoples the world over.
“Ironically, had it not been for the intervention and support of the international community it is doubtful whether independence for Namibia would have been achieved,” Venaani charged.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Namibia on Friday voted against the inclusion of a motion on The Responsibility to Protect, also referred to as R2P.
In a statement yesterday, Nudo spokesperson Joseph Kauandenge rejected the government's official explanation that it was merely a “procedural vote” and did not reflect the government's stance on human rights.
Nudo demanded that the government provide a proper answer for this “political blunder of the century” and explain how it plans to fix Namibia's image in the eyes of the world.
“The explanation given yesterday by the international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is at best an answer given to an elementary child or better yet to a kindergarten child who cannot comprehend, analyse and form an independent opinion for himself,” he lashed out.
According to Kauandenge, the government cannot demand reparations from Germany for the 1908 Nama and OvaHerero genocide if the government itself was opposed to countries being held accountable for genocide.
Nudo believes the government was moved to vote against the inclusion of the motion because it is haunted by the recently launched Swapo dungeon probe.
“Government is demanding compensation from Germany and at the same time is at pains to keep its dark secret of people tortured by its own officials and leaders deeply hidden from the prying eyes of the world and still grieving relatives looking for answers as to what happened to their loved ones in the dungeons of Lubango,” he said.
Meanwhile, DTA president McHenry Venaani said Namibia, a nation with a history littered with human rights abuses and discrimination, had no business voting against any discussion relating to humanity.
“The Swapo Party as the majority party in government has in a moment of characteristic folly chosen to side with dictators, war criminals and human rights abusers by voting to keep the R2P off the UNGA agenda. The Swapo Party has in one fell swoop betrayed those whose blood waters our freedom,” he said.
According to Venaani, despite the government's assurance that it will give its views during the debate on the motion, irreversible damage has been done to Namibia's image as a human rights defender.
“Tragically, Namibia will henceforth be known as a sell-out of the very principles that underpinned its own revolution. The Swapo Party has played a defining role in ensuring that international intervention and support will likely not be available to scores of oppressed and threatened peoples the world over.
“Ironically, had it not been for the intervention and support of the international community it is doubtful whether independence for Namibia would have been achieved,” Venaani charged.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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