Major human rights march planned

The Southern African Human Rights NGO Network (SAHRINGON) has planned a march for human rights and democracy to take place on 28 April in the Namibian capital, PANA reported on Friday.

“SAHRINGON is seriously concerned about the recent attacks on the human rights of fellow Namibians and on institutions that are the cornerstones of democracy in Namibia,” the organisation was quoted as saying in the report. It said all local non-governmental organisations, community- based organisations, churches, political parties and civil society should join hands in the march.

The group said that recent weeks had witnessed calls for the dismissal of judges from the bench, calls for the arrest, imprisonment and deportation of gays and lesbians, as well as calls for Namibians to stop marrying foreigners.

“The policy of reconciliation is currently being replaced by a policy of confrontation and outright disregard for the democratic constitution and institutions of this country. We, therefore, call on all NGOs, community-based organisations, churches, political parties and civil society to mobilise their constituencies, workplaces, families and congregations to take a public stand in support of democracy and human rights for all by joining or publicly supporting the march for human rights and democracy on 28 April,” the organisation said.