Bushmen returning home in Botswana

Several Bushmen families who had been evicted from their land in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve returned on January 12 following an historic December 13 court victory against Botswana's government. The High Court ruling deemed the government's eviction of the Bushmen "unlawful and unconstitutional". The court ruled that the Bushmen have the right to live on their land without applying for permits and to hunt and gather in the reserve. One of those returning told Survival International: "We have waited for this moment for so many years, and now we are finally going home! I will build some huts for my family, and teach my young children how to find food. My heart is full of joy, knowing that soon I will see my land again." For more information visit <http://www.survival-international.org>.

From GLW issue 694