DATE=8/13/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=NAMIBIA / RIGHTS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252762
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Namibian Government has admitted its
security forces committed human-rights abuses in
the troubled Caprivi Strip region following an
attack there by separatist rebels. V-O-A
Southern Africa Correspondent Alex Belida has the
story.
TEXT: Defense Minister Erkki Nghimtina admits
the human-rights violations in an interview with
"The Namibian" newspaper. He says most of the
incidents occurred in the first few days
following the early August separatist attack on
the town of Katima Mulilo, when he says emotions
were running high after police and soldiers were
killed and wounded by the rebels.
Mr. Nghimtina says Namibia has established what
he calls a laudable record on human rights. He
says, quoting now, "we don't want to destroy the
image of our country through our actions. There
has to be an improvement."
The Namibian Defense Minister gives no details
in the Namibian newspaper interview. However,
human-rights groups estimate that between 300 and
600 people have been detained on suspicion of
ties with the separatist Caprivi Liberation Army.
The Namibian National Society for Human Rights
claims some detainees have been subjected to
torture and other forms of what it has described
as cruel and inhuman treatment.
Authorities have declared a State of Emergency in
the Caprivi, a remote and impoverished finger of
land jutting out of northern Namibia and
bordering Angola, Botswana and Zambia.
At least 15 people are reported to have died in
the rebel attack, which was targeted at a
military base, police station and other
installations in Katima Mulilo. (Signed)
NEB/BEL/GE/WTW
13-Aug-1999 07:52 AM EDT (13-Aug-1999 1152 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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