NDF Must Follow Through On Assaults
By: Editorial CommentWHILE it is encouraging that the Namibian Defence Force has claimed responsibility for a number of incidents in late 2003 where men were randomly assaulted apparently because they were wearing earrings, it is also important that the military be entirely transparent about the process that follows and take members to task who committed these human rights infringements.
This case followed a similar event a year or two ago, where members
of the Special Field Force also beat up various men wearing
earrings in the wake of hate speech by some senior politicians
about gay people in Namibia.
While the incident itself was widely reported at the time, the
public was never informed as to whether follow-up action took place
against the over-zealous SFF members who committed the
infringements.
Both then and now, the actions contravened our Constitution and
were arbitrary and discriminatory acts against people for unknown
reasons except that they chose to wear earrings.
This week the NDF Chief of Staff confirmed that he and other
senior officers had met the victims of the unheralded crackdown and
offered compensation in some form or another.
While this is an important gesture, it is equally imperative
that the NDF use this opportunity to set an example and discipline
the members who apparently took the law into their own hands.
They should also make clear to NDF members that this kind of
behaviour will not be tolerated in future.
The NDF Chief of Staff also appealed to victims not to take
their cases to court, but instead opt to settle with the military
over the incident.
It is important that the officer commanding the unit that
ordered the raid should also face disciplinary action, as should
the members who committed the assaults, and the NDF should not
expect the whole incident to be pushed under the carpet.
Where human rights abuses occur in Namibia, it is vital that we
exhibit transparency and take follow-up action so that there is no
recurrence of such events.
It simply sends a message to the outside world about intolerance
and prejudice, traits that should not exist in a democratic country
such as ours and that constitute a blot on our otherwise reasonably
good record in regard to human rights.
While the Chief of Staff has acknowledged that the officer who
ordered the raids, and who has not yet been named by the NDF,
exceeded his authority, this acknowledgement is not good enough in
itself.
The action has traumatised the young men who were the subject of
the sjambok beatings, and publicity about the incident has probably
also caused a more widespread fear of NDF members, something that
should not be allowed to happen as the military and Police are
responsible for the enforcement of law and order and the protection
of citizens - not the contrary.
Whether or not the victims intend to pursue their cases through
the courts, or agree to settlements with the NDF for their medical
costs or other compensation, it is nevertheless vitally important
that the military not let these members go unpunished, particularly
in the case of the senior officer who should never have issued such
an order.
We therefore hope the NDF will take the matter through to its
logical conclusion by procedural steps against those responsible,
and hopefully there will be no further recurrences of such
incidents.
While the incident itself was widely reported at the time, the
public was never informed as to whether follow-up action took place
against the over-zealous SFF members who committed the
infringements. Both then and now, the actions contravened our
Constitution and were arbitrary and discriminatory acts against
people for unknown reasons except that they chose to wear earrings.
This week the NDF Chief of Staff confirmed that he and other senior
officers had met the victims of the unheralded crackdown and
offered compensation in some form or another. While this is an
important gesture, it is equally imperative that the NDF use this
opportunity to set an example and discipline the members who
apparently took the law into their own hands. They should also make
clear to NDF members that this kind of behaviour will not be
tolerated in future. The NDF Chief of Staff also appealed to
victims not to take their cases to court, but instead opt to settle
with the military over the incident. It is important that the
officer commanding the unit that ordered the raid should also face
disciplinary action, as should the members who committed the
assaults, and the NDF should not expect the whole incident to be
pushed under the carpet. Where human rights abuses occur in
Namibia, it is vital that we exhibit transparency and take
follow-up action so that there is no recurrence of such events. It
simply sends a message to the outside world about intolerance and
prejudice, traits that should not exist in a democratic country
such as ours and that constitute a blot on our otherwise reasonably
good record in regard to human rights. While the Chief of Staff has
acknowledged that the officer who ordered the raids, and who has
not yet been named by the NDF, exceeded his authority, this
acknowledgement is not good enough in itself. The action has
traumatised the young men who were the subject of the sjambok
beatings, and publicity about the incident has probably also caused
a more widespread fear of NDF members, something that should not be
allowed to happen as the military and Police are responsible for
the enforcement of law and order and the protection of citizens -
not the contrary. Whether or not the victims intend to pursue their
cases through the courts, or agree to settlements with the NDF for
their medical costs or other compensation, it is nevertheless
vitally important that the military not let these members go
unpunished, particularly in the case of the senior officer who
should never have issued such an order. We therefore hope the NDF
will take the matter through to its logical conclusion by
procedural steps against those responsible, and hopefully there
will be no further recurrences of such incidents.