NSHR accuses Hishongwa of ‘hate speech’

THE National Society for Human Rights has accused a senior Swapo leader of using a public rally to urge party supporters to kill rights monitors.

The NSHR issued a statement in which it quoted Higher Education Deputy Minister, Hadino Hishongwa, as labelling the organisation’s rights monitors as “monsters, reptiles and bears” that must be killed. The human rights body said two of its monitors attended a Swapo rally addressed by Hishongwa at Etomba village in the Ondobe Constituency last Saturday.Hishongwa allegedly subjected the rights campaigners to hate speech and other forms of bigotry and incitement at the rally intended to introduce the party’s manifesto to the electorate.”Ava nee voku tu landula efimbo keshe have li ufana vati ovanhu voufemba wovanhu.Ova li peni hano fimbo loukoloni? Ovalodi veenghambe domahuvi onguloshi ovo.Omangungule, oikoko nomamwangha! Ohaa nangala peni hano opo tu a dipaelepo?” [These ones who are following us always, calling themselves human rights people.Where were they during the colonial period? They are riders of owls of the night! They are monsters, reptiles and bears.Where do they sleep so that we can go there and kill them?], NSHR quoted Hishongwa as having said at the rally.Hishongwa neither denied nor confirmed having made the remarks when approached by The Namibian.NSHR said the meeting was also attended by Defence Minister Erkki Nghimtina, Ohangwena Regional Governor Billy Mwaningange and Regional Councillor Usko Nghaamwa.Two female Swapo activists also claimed that the NSHR monitors were “agents” of the opposition Congress of Democrats.One of the two NSHR monitors, Beata Hainyondo said they will not be intimidated by Hishongwa’s statements.”They can call us names or they can kill us or incite others to kill us, but they can not kill our human rights message.We are here to stay.Their fear of human rights defenders is baseless and unfounded, as we are not a political party.Our mission is to help ensure that the upcoming elections are free and fair,” said a defiant Hainyondo.The human rights organisation warned politicians against the use of hate speech in campaigns saying it could lead to hate crimes.”Owls are associated with witchcraft in many parts of the country.Over the last 14 years there have been many incidents where mobs have killed people perceived to be witches.It is extremely dangerous and undemocratic to incite people in this fashion,” said another rights monitor Dorkas Nangolo-Phillemon.The human rights body said two of its monitors attended a Swapo rally addressed by Hishongwa at Etomba village in the Ondobe Constituency last Saturday.Hishongwa allegedly subjected the rights campaigners to hate speech and other forms of bigotry and incitement at the rally intended to introduce the party’s manifesto to the electorate.”Ava nee voku tu landula efimbo keshe have li ufana vati ovanhu voufemba wovanhu.Ova li peni hano fimbo loukoloni? Ovalodi veenghambe domahuvi onguloshi ovo.Omangungule, oikoko nomamwangha! Ohaa nangala peni hano opo tu a dipaelepo?” [These ones who are following us always, calling themselves human rights people.Where were they during the colonial period? They are riders of owls of the night! They are monsters, reptiles and bears.Where do they sleep so that we can go there and kill them?], NSHR quoted Hishongwa as having said at the rally.Hishongwa neither denied nor confirmed having made the remarks when approached by The Namibian.NSHR said the meeting was also attended by Defence Minister Erkki Nghimtina, Ohangwena Regional Governor Billy Mwaningange and Regional Councillor Usko Nghaamwa.Two female Swapo activists also claimed that the NSHR monitors were “agents” of the opposition Congress of Democrats.One of the two NSHR monitors, Beata Hainyondo said they will not be intimidated by Hishongwa’s statements.”They can call us names or they can kill us or incite others to kill us, but they can not kill our human rights message.We are here to stay.Their fear of human rights defenders is baseless and unfounded, as we are not a political party.Our mission is to help ensure that the upcoming elections are free and fair,” said a defiant Hainyondo.The human rights organisation warned politicians against the use of hate speech in campaigns saying it could lead to hate crimes.”Owls are associated with witchcraft in many parts of the country.Over the last 14 years there have been many incidents where mobs have killed people perceived to be witches.It is extremely dangerous and undemocratic to incite people in this fashion,” said another rights monitor Dorkas Nangolo-Phillemon.