BOTSWANA BUSHMEN'S RIGHTS

Early day motion 1500, tabled 1 July 2003 by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party). Signed by 52 members.

That this House recognises the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana, as the ancestral land of the Gana and Gwi Bushmen and their neighbours the Bakgalagadi; notes that the Central Kalahari Game Reserve was established in 1961 by the British colonial administration as a home for the Bushmen and as a means of protecting their rights; expresses its concern over the Government of Botswana's reported forcible eviction of most of the Bushmen from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve; and calls upon the Government urgently to investigate these reports and to use its political and diplomatic ties with the Government of Botswana, to encourage the respect and further strengthening of the rights and freedoms of the Bushmen as established under international law.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Liberal Democrat 12, Conservative 4, Scottish National Party 4, Plaid Cymru 3, DUP 1, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, UUP 1.