Time to speak up about discrimination
Namibians of all backgrounds are being urged to share their stories of discrimination and intolerance during a number of public and community hearings over the next two months, in an attempt to pin down how pervasive incidents of racism, tribalism, xenophobia, gender discrimination, homophobia and other related prejudicial actions against certain groups are in Namibia.
Ombudsman John Walters says the hearings, as well as an invitation to share personal experiences on various incidents of discrimination, will help the office to pinpoint what the major fields of discrimination are and how better to provide equal access to justice to those affected.
“We are looking at any kind of discrimination. People must lead us there. They must bring it to the fore so that we can address all types of intolerances,” he said.
According to experts, media reports and numerous public accounts, twenty-seven years after independence intolerance still thrives in many corners of Namibia, including incidents of racism, racial discrimination, tribalism, homophobia, prejudicial acts against indigenous people, women, members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, as well as people living with HIV/Aids or disability and other forms of discrimination.
And yet, access to address such incidents in the courts is often limited, due to a number of factors, including the slow pace of prosecution, the cost of lawyers, fear of retribution and a myriad of other barriers.
“The persistence of racism, racial discrimination, tribalism and intolerance clearly demonstrates the need to look for new ways to address this problem with more resolve and with greater efficiency,” he said.
Walters pointed out that the current racial discrimination prohibition act has not been very effective in dealing with accusations of racism or racial discrimination.
He said a major question to address is whether the current legal frameworks provide sufficient protection of a person's right to equality and dignity and equal access to courts.
In a concept note issued to the media, the Office of the Ombudsman said the question should be raised whether the criminalisation of racism and other forms of discrimination is the only course of action, or whether a softer, but quicker and perhaps more effective route would be to establish informal, inexpensive and user friendly tribunals.
“Sometimes a person just wants a formal, public apology,” Walters said.
He said these equality courts have been implemented in other countries, and have shown success in drastically cutting costs and time, and providing quick, effective justice which he yesterday dubbed “simple justice.”
Walters said the public and community hearings will help establish how rife which forms of discrimination are in Namibia, but it can only be effective Namibians use the opportunity to come forward and actively take part.
All submissions by individuals or groups, whether in writing or otherwise, will be handled with strict confidentiality, and could be the springboard for new and innovative ways in which to handle such incidents.
The public hearings are slated to take place across the country throughout June and July.
Formal hearings will take place in Windhoek from 6 to 9 June, during which a number of invited guests will make presentations to a select panel. Community hearings have been scheduled to take place in Gibeon (19 – 21 June), Katima Mulilo (26 – 30 June), Opuwo (9 – 11 July), Tsumkwe (12 – 15 July) and Gobabis (20 July).
JANA-MARI SMITH
Ombudsman John Walters says the hearings, as well as an invitation to share personal experiences on various incidents of discrimination, will help the office to pinpoint what the major fields of discrimination are and how better to provide equal access to justice to those affected.
“We are looking at any kind of discrimination. People must lead us there. They must bring it to the fore so that we can address all types of intolerances,” he said.
According to experts, media reports and numerous public accounts, twenty-seven years after independence intolerance still thrives in many corners of Namibia, including incidents of racism, racial discrimination, tribalism, homophobia, prejudicial acts against indigenous people, women, members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, as well as people living with HIV/Aids or disability and other forms of discrimination.
And yet, access to address such incidents in the courts is often limited, due to a number of factors, including the slow pace of prosecution, the cost of lawyers, fear of retribution and a myriad of other barriers.
“The persistence of racism, racial discrimination, tribalism and intolerance clearly demonstrates the need to look for new ways to address this problem with more resolve and with greater efficiency,” he said.
Walters pointed out that the current racial discrimination prohibition act has not been very effective in dealing with accusations of racism or racial discrimination.
He said a major question to address is whether the current legal frameworks provide sufficient protection of a person's right to equality and dignity and equal access to courts.
In a concept note issued to the media, the Office of the Ombudsman said the question should be raised whether the criminalisation of racism and other forms of discrimination is the only course of action, or whether a softer, but quicker and perhaps more effective route would be to establish informal, inexpensive and user friendly tribunals.
“Sometimes a person just wants a formal, public apology,” Walters said.
He said these equality courts have been implemented in other countries, and have shown success in drastically cutting costs and time, and providing quick, effective justice which he yesterday dubbed “simple justice.”
Walters said the public and community hearings will help establish how rife which forms of discrimination are in Namibia, but it can only be effective Namibians use the opportunity to come forward and actively take part.
All submissions by individuals or groups, whether in writing or otherwise, will be handled with strict confidentiality, and could be the springboard for new and innovative ways in which to handle such incidents.
The public hearings are slated to take place across the country throughout June and July.
Formal hearings will take place in Windhoek from 6 to 9 June, during which a number of invited guests will make presentations to a select panel. Community hearings have been scheduled to take place in Gibeon (19 – 21 June), Katima Mulilo (26 – 30 June), Opuwo (9 – 11 July), Tsumkwe (12 – 15 July) and Gobabis (20 July).
JANA-MARI SMITH
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