DITSHWANELO‘s ANTI-DEATH PENALTY CAMPAIGN
THREAT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
DITSHWANELO – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights is deeply disturbed by the report by Gideon Nkala, which appeared in the `Mmegi’ of 12-19 April 2001. The article was entitled Bosch haunts OP.
According to the article, Mr Andrew Sesinyi, the Information and Broadcasting Director, had received a directive from authorities not to allow the broadcast of the documentary about Ms Mariette Bosch. He is quoted as saying “ I was informed by authorities not to show the documentary because it was unacceptable”. There were no justifiable reasons provided.
DITSHWANELO – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights is extremely concerned about this clear violation of the freedom of expression as enshrined in the Botswana Constitution. The increasing lack of transparency, lack of justifiable reasons and seemingly autocratic actions by the Office of the President further contribute to the deterioration of democracy in Botswana.
This action of the Office of the President follows the recent hasty hanging of Ms Bosch. DITSHWANELO had been prevented from seeing Ms Bosch on the day before her execution. Her family and lawyer had also not been informed of her imminent execution. Instead, both DITSHWANELO and Ms Bosch’s husband, Mr Tienie Wolmarans, had been told on the morning of Friday 30 March 2001, that there was a prison search underway, which prevented inmates receiving visitors. When DITSHWANELO went to the prison at 3.30 p.m., we were informed that the search was still-ongoing.
Clearly, the execution of Ms Bosch was shrouded in secrecy. Why was this the case? Clearly, the BTV Documentary contained information relating to the Bosch case. What is it that the Office of the President does not want the public to know?
Human rights need to be respected for Botswana to be a true democracy. Where human rights are consciously curtailed by the State in an arbitrary and non-accountable manner, the future of democracy and good governance becomes increasingly bleak.
12 April 2001
Gaborone |
