Botswana: BHPB tainted by association?
In February 2002, the Botswana government took measures to force the remaining 700 Gana, Gwi and Bakglaagadi Bushmen from their land in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. A few months later BHP gained concession to explore in the area for diamonds. Despite efforts to remove them at least 100 Bushmen have managed to stay on their land, Currently these people have no idea that BHP is prospecting for diamonds on their lands, as the company's consultation have not included them. Contrary to their commitments to respecting the rights of Indigenous people in their activities, BHPB does not appear to have consulted with the 100 Bushmen who have managed, in face of severe government harassment to stay on their lands, or with the groups who were recently involuntarily resettled. These people currently have no idea that BHPB is prospecting for diamonds on their territory.
BHP Billiton's chief executive protests that his company is not responsible for the forced removal of Bushman in Botswana from their ancestral land, but has failed to address the absence of consultation with these groups in relation to recent exploration carried out on their territories. The forced removals of the bushman by the government took place a few months before BHPB gained concessions to explore for diamonds in the area, and while there is no clear evidence to prove a direct link between the company and the removals, indigenous rights groups have stated that BHP is 'tainted by association,' given that they can now benefit from the government's efforts. The forced removal of the Gana and Gwi bushmen by the government would not comply with commitments BHPB made to the World Bank safeguards- limiting the circumstances and placing conditions upon involuntary settlement of Indigenous people.
S.M.H, .March 15 2003
Botswana is letting mining companies explore for diamonds in parts of the Kalahari desert from which San Bushmen were recently evicted, renewing the accusation that the country's oldest ethnic group is the victim of a plot by the Government and multinational companies.
Sections of the central Kalahari game reserve, which the Government said would not be touched, have been opened only months after assurances that relocating the Bushmen had nothing to do with diamonds.
Concessions to explore have been granted and one company, Kalahari Diamonds Limited, has got $US2million ($3.3million) from the World Bank to fly a surveillance plane over territory thought to be rich in kimberlite, one of the volcanic rocks associated with diamonds.
The London advocacy group Survival International, which opposed the Bushmen's removal, said last month it had been vindicated in linki ng it to diamonds.
"There has been a complete explosion in the number of concessions given out, and this funding for the exploration is further proof that there is a link," its spokeswoman, Sophie Thomas, said.
BHP Billiton's chief executive protests that his company is not responsible for the forced removal of Bushman in Botswana from their ancestral land, but has failed to address the absence of consultation with these groups in relation to recent exploration carried out on their territories. The forced removals of the bushman by the government took place a few months before BHPB gained concessions to explore for diamonds in the area, and while there is no clear evidence to prove a direct link between the company and the removals, indigenous rights groups have stated that BHP is 'tainted by association,' given that they can now benefit from the government's efforts. The forced removal of the Gana and Gwi bushmen by the government would not comply with commitments BHPB made to the World Bank safeguards- limiting the circumstances and placing conditions upon involuntary settlement of Indigenous people.
Miners grab Bushmen's desert home
By Rory Carroll in Johannesburg, S.M.H, .March 15 2003
Botswana is letting mining companies explore for diamonds in parts of the Kalahari desert from which San Bushmen were recently evicted, renewing the accusation that the country's oldest ethnic group is the victim of a plot by the Government and multinational companies.
Sections of the central Kalahari game reserve, which the Government said would not be touched, have been opened only months after assurances that relocating the Bushmen had nothing to do with diamonds.
Concessions to explore have been granted and one company, Kalahari Diamonds Limited, has got $US2million ($3.3million) from the World Bank to fly a surveillance plane over territory thought to be rich in kimberlite, one of the volcanic rocks associated with diamonds.
The London advocacy group Survival International, which opposed the Bushmen's removal, said last month it had been vindicated in linki ng it to diamonds.
"There has been a complete explosion in the number of concessions given out, and this funding for the exploration is further proof that there is a link," its spokeswoman, Sophie Thomas, said.
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