The Kalahari Bushmen have renewed their desperate appeal to Leonardo DiCaprio as diamond companies begin exploration on their land.
DiCaprio’s film Blood Diamond is to be released in the US on Friday 8 December. The Bushmen appealed to him in September with an ad in Variety magazine. After learning about new diamond exploration on their land, they have written again asking for his help to return to their land.
‘We just learned that Botswana government gave out more of our land to a company called Petra Diamonds which is exploring for diamonds right now. We are angry and upset about this. These are conflict diamonds because diamonds are the root of our sorrow and pain. They caused us to be moved from the land of our ancestors. We say these diamonds are killing us the Bushmen.
‘We ask you to please, please help us. We think people will listen to you because you are famous and respected.’
The Bushmen have taken the Botswana government to court over the evictions. The Botswana High Court will rule on 13 December (http://www.survival-international.org/bushmenpresspack).
Comments from over 400 Bushman adults, who together with their children number around 1,000 people, can be seen on their website http://www.iwant2gohome.org
For further information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
Act now to help the Bushmen
Your support is vital if the Bushmen are to survive. There are many ways you can help.
- Writing a letter to the Botswana government is a quick and simple way to let them know of your concern.
- Donate to the Bushman campaign (and other Survival campaigns).
- Write to your MP or MEP (UK) or Senators and members of Congress (US).
- Write to your local Botswana high commission or embassy.
- If you want to get more involved, contact Survival…
- Visit the Bushmen’s own website…
