NAMIBIA: Police and domestic violence remain concerns, UN

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 22 Jul 2004 (IRIN) - Although Namibia continues to make strides towards improving its human rights record, concerns remain over domestic and police violence.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) this week expressed satisfaction over the scrapping of the death penalty and commended efforts by the authorities to further engage civil society. But the UN body questioned whether the government had done enough to tackle domestic violence and allegations of police brutality.

The UNHRC periodically examines reports submitted by member states on their efforts to implement the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Government representatives introduce the reports and respond to oral and written questions from UNHRC members.

Responding to questions over allegations of torture, Namibian representatives pointed out that the country was a signatory to the Convention against Torture and that its constitution prohibited all acts of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. However, the delegation acknowledged that there were cases where compensation had been awarded to aggrieved persons.

The delegation also conceded that there were problems in implementing the 48-hour rule. Under Namibian law, all accused must appear before a court of law within 48 hours of arrest.

"Moreover, the 48-hour rule had been difficult to apply, given the large size of Namibia. As a result, an enormous toll was taken on the police when they arrested a subject and had to bring them to the nearest station within a limited time. The Ministry of Justice had increased its budget to support this process," the delegation said.

When questioned about arrest, detention and legal assistance, the delegation said every accused person was entitled to apply for bail. The delays in the Caprivi treason case were attributed to "the intransigence and uncooperative attitude of the accused persons".

Human rights activists have slammed the repeated delays and postponements in the trial, which began in November 2000. The trialists were arrested for taking part in a failed uprising led by the secessionist Caprivi Liberation Army.

The Executive Director of the National Society for Human Rights, Phil ya Nangoloh, told IRIN: "The trialists cannot be blamed for the delay. Over the past four years it has become increasingly clear that the sloppy work of the police is responsible for all this time-wasting."

Ya Nangoloh alleged that despite the country's laws, the police continued to act with impunity.

Another concern was the growing incidence of domestic violence.

"The increase in domestic violence in recent years can be attributed to deteriorating socioeconomic conditions, but also to the lack of education campaigns which raise awareness of the issue. The government has done well by putting in place legislation which protects women, but that has not filtered down to the man on the street," Nangoloh said.

The UNHRC raised the issue of gender equity and noted that number of women in decision-making positions was still very low.

The Namibian delegation said 24 percent of women occupied senior management level positions in the public service and 44 percent of local councillors were women.

[ENDS]