October 11 2004
PRESS RELEASE

Human rights defenders were subjected to hate speech and other forms of bigotry and incitement over the weekend at a SWAPO Party rally intended to introduce the party's new manifesto to the electorate. In this case hate speech is public speech intended to hurt and intimidate or to incite violence or any other prejudicial action or hate crime against real or perceived political opponents. Whereas hate crime refers to a criminal act committed because of the perpetrator's hatred, bias or prejudice based on real or perceived political affiliation or opinion of the victims.

A monitoring team of two Eenhana-based human rights defenders was publicly referred to:

"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? (Meaning: 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?" said controversial SWAPO back-bencher and Higher Education Deputy Minister Hadino Hishongwa referring to NSHR's Ohangwena-beaurau chief Beata Hainyondo and a male colleague as they monitored the rally. The incident took place on October 9 2004 between 14h00 and 15h30 at Etomba village in the Ondobe Constituency, some 40 kilometers northwest of Eenhana, and the capital of the Ohangwena Region.

Two female SWAPO activists also incorrectly fingered Hainyondo and her colleagues as "agents" of the Opposition Congress of Democrats. Defense Minister Erkki Nghimtina, Ohangwena Regional Governor Billy Mwaningange and Regional Councilor Usko Nghaamwa also attended the rally.

"According to the Code of Conduct for Political Parties, speakers at political rallies may not incite violence or use any language likely to incite violence in any form against any other person or groups of persons. We will not be intimidated by anyone. They call us names or they can kill us or incite others to kill us, but they cannot 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 Ms. Hainyondo. NSHR warns against the use of hate speech in campaigns, which could lead to hate crimes.

"Owls are associated with witchcraft in many parts of the country. Over the last fourteen 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 NSHR Chief Public Relations Officer Dorkas Nangolo-Phillemon this afternoon.

For further additional comment, please call Dorkas Nangolo-Phillemon at Tel: 061 236 183 or 061 253 447 (office hours)