Students get involved in ICC debate

A GROUP of students at the University of Namibia on Friday accused the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) of disturbing peace at the institution through its actions to hold their Chancellor accountable for people who went missing during and after Namibia’s struggle for Independence.

The group marched to the Office of the Prime Minister and handed over a petition to Premier Nahas Angula and Attorney General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana in which they called on Government to “deal with” the NSHR for the submission made to the International Criminal Court against former President Sam Nujoma and three others. They want Government to force the NSHR to withdraw the submission immediately and to hold its Executive Director Phil ya Nangoloh accountable for violating the policy of national reconciliation.The students downed their books a few hours after President Hifikepunye Pohamba went on national television to vow that Government would do everything in its power to defend Nujoma because he was a national hero.Earlier, Swapo, its youth league and the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) criticised the NSHR for its submission and labelled it a threat to the policy of national reconciliation.The Unam protesters agreed.They said they would do “anything legitimate” to ensure Nujoma’s security.”We treasure him and his security is our prime concern as he is the father of the Namibian nation,” said Fillemon Wise Immanuel, president of the Students’ Representative Council.He said both Nujoma and the students needed “space to concentrate” on national development projects and the NSHR submission was a stumbling block.They want Government to force the NSHR to withdraw the submission immediately and to hold its Executive Director Phil ya Nangoloh accountable for violating the policy of national reconciliation.The students downed their books a few hours after President Hifikepunye Pohamba went on national television to vow that Government would do everything in its power to defend Nujoma because he was a national hero.Earlier, Swapo, its youth league and the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) criticised the NSHR for its submission and labelled it a threat to the policy of national reconciliation.The Unam protesters agreed.They said they would do “anything legitimate” to ensure Nujoma’s security.”We treasure him and his security is our prime concern as he is the father of the Namibian nation,” said Fillemon Wise Immanuel, president of the Students’ Representative Council.He said both Nujoma and the students needed “space to concentrate” on national development projects and the NSHR submission was a stumbling block.