Concern over Caprivi returnees

Open letter to President Sam Nujoma.

 Dear Mr. President I WANT to express concern at the forced return of the following eight Namibian men who were returned from Botswana to Namibia on December 10 last year: Manepola Manuala Makendano, Progress Dikava Munuma, Alex Sinjabata Mushakwa, Samulandela Shien Smulandela, Diamon Salufu Samunzala, Vincent Liswaniso Siliye, Vincent Salishando Sinasi and Mosweu Mathew Tembwe. On December 15 last year, the eight men appeared at Katima Mulilo magistrate’s court.Mosweu Mathew Tembwe was released without being charged on December 16, but the rest of the men were remanded in custody and charged with treason in connection with the Caprivi uprising.That now brings the total to 128 defendants on trial.The eight men were deported without the knowledge of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and were not given a chance to have their cases reviewed by the Botswana Refugee Advisory Committee (RAC).They might be at risk of human rights violations.Amnesty International has concerns about the Caprivi treason trial and they are already documented in the public report; “Namibia: Justice Delayed is Justice Denied”.Please refer to it.All the defendants should have access to a lawyer, to medical care and to their families.Yours respectfully.- N.Baron – HeathcoteOn December 15 last year, the eight men appeared at Katima Mulilo magistrate’s court. Mosweu Mathew Tembwe was released without being charged on December 16, but the rest of the men were remanded in custody and charged with treason in connection with the Caprivi uprising. That now brings the total to 128 defendants on trial. The eight men were deported without the knowledge of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and were not given a chance to have their cases reviewed by the Botswana Refugee Advisory Committee (RAC). They might be at risk of human rights violations. Amnesty International has concerns about the Caprivi treason trial and they are already documented in the public report; “Namibia: Justice Delayed is Justice Denied”. Please refer to it. All the defendants should have access to a lawyer, to medical care and to their families. Yours respectfully.- N.Baron – Heathcote