Namibia’s National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) is alarmed by what appears to be increasingly ominous signs of concerted attacks on both electronic and print media and threats against certain media workers in Namibia in recent weeks and days. NSHR is equally deeply concerned about escalating threats against other participatory freedoms, such as the right to freedom of association and assembly in the country.

Addressing a ruling SWAPO Party rally at Oshakati on Saturday afternoon, newly elected SWAPO Party President and Namibian Head of State President Lucas Hifikepunye Pohamba accused the State broadcaster, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), of inter alia being “used to cause disunity and animosity” in the country.

“What is disappointing is the fact that such attacks are coming from people who should have sworn to defend and uphold all the fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed in Namibian Constitution. These rights and freedoms are cornerstones of any democratic society. Until recently, we have been consistently praising President Pohamba for having refrained from attacking the media and or engaging in name-calling against his opponents. Now we have fears that President Pohamba might be resorting to the undemocratic ways of his predecessor, Mr. Sam Nujoma. This state of affairs might erode Mr. Pohamba’s hitherto good reputation”, said NSHR executive director Phil ya Nangoloh.

On November 27-30 2007 Mr. Pohamba’s party passed an anti-media resolution accusing both print an electronic media of being “[misused] contrary to the spirit of national reconciliation and maintenance of peace and stability” of the country. The resolution inter alia reads:

“[The congress] resolved to the SWAPO Party Government to establish the Media Council to regulate the activities and operations of the media in the country”.

NBC is under attack for allowing callers to express their views on the precarious economic and political situation prevailing in the country.

On December 13 2007, SWAPO Party’s Hardap Governor, Honorable Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, also lashed out at both media reports and media workers. Honorable Hanse-Himarwa claimed, among other things, that "the country's media have become a joke for only reporting on street fights instead of concentrating on development stories". Her attack on the media followed recent reports that she had conducted herself dishonorably in public.

On December 11 2007, Deputy Justice Minister and newly-elected ruling SWAPO Party Politburo member Utoni Nujoma reportedly hurled insults at Informanté Editor Max Hamata, in public view, accusing him of unfairly targeting members of the Nujoma family in his reporting. Mr. Nujoma Jr. is the eldest son of former SWAPO Party President and erstwhile Namibian President Sam Nujoma. Nujoma Sr. stepped down as SWAPO Party President following enormous pressure from human rights activists, the media and members of the general public who called upon him to “retire entirely and completely from active politics”. Mr. Nujoma Sr. has a track record of chronic intolerance and hostility towards media and government and SWAPO Party critics.

Furthermore, NSHR is alarmed by increasingly verbal attacks on those citizens exercising their right to freedom of association and or disassociation. Recent weeks have seen several media and human rights reports of intimidations coming from President Pohamba’s party and directed at members and supporters of the newly formed Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), led by former Foreign Minister Hidipo Hamutenya (HH).

During his public address last Saturday, President Pohamba issued a veiled threat against certain traditional leaders, accusing them of being “actively involved in politics”. The President was apparently referring to media reports that several traditional leaders in the Ohangwena Region are “openly” supporting RDP.

According to Articles 17, 21(1)(e) and 95(k) of the Constitution, everyone in the country, and this includes any traditional leaders at any levels, has the right to carry out civil and political activities in order to influence State policy and debate its decisions. These objectives can only be achieved if citizens exercise their participatory rights, such as freedom of expression and opinion and freedom of association and assembly.

“We therefore find the President’s public utterances against such traditional leaders as unfair and tantamount to a kettle calling a pot black. Because for years the very same traditional leaders the President is referring to, have been actively and openly been supporting his ruling party. However, Mr. Pohamba did not utter a word against them then. Moreover, President Pohamba’s government has persistently withheld recognition from those traditional leaders who are not supportive of the SWAPO Party. We have the right to expect President Pohamba to behave differently from his predecessor”, remarked ya Nangoloh.

In accordance with Articles 5, 18, 30 and 32(1) of the Constitution, President Pohamba has the prime obligation to ensure that all fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution are respected, protected and fulfilled in respect of each and everyone in the country.

Meanwhile, NSHR is also concerned about reports in the Ovambo district to the effect that several incidents of inter-party intimidation have occurred. In one case involving three incidents, SWAPO supporters allegedly physically intimidated three RDP activists at Omuthiya, Omutsegwonime and Okandjeke villages in the Oshikoto Region on or around November 18 2007.

In a second incident, CoD activists allegedly physically assaulted a SWAPO supporter at Cham-Cham village after the latter provoked them. This incident took place on November 25 2007.

In a third incident of inter-party intimidation, SWAPO Party members at Walvis Bay allegedly provoked RDP supporters and this resulted in the near assault of several SWAPO supporters in KuisebmondTownship at the coastal town. The incident took place on December 8 2007 after an RDP rally held at the town on the same day. An angry RDP activist who spoke on condition of anonymity warned that RDP supporters have “the physical strength to defend themselves against any intimidations”.

The human rights watchdog has also received several reports of incidents in which RDP members have allegedly intimidated SWAPO Party activists at several locations in the Ohangwena Region. Addressing a large crowd of supporters at Walvis Bay on December 8 2007, RDP interim President Hidipo Hamutenya urged RDP members and sympathizers “not react to provocations and use force against those intimidating you”.

Meanwhile, NSHR firmly supports the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Seb Ndeitunga, who last week urged SWAPO Party and RDP supporters to refrain from political intimidation against each other. General Ndeitunga warned that political activities that contravened the law and the spirit of the Namibian Constitution or violated the Electoral Act will not be brooked by the Police.

“In light of the escalating incidents of political intimidation, NSHR has intensified its monitoring activities. We will closely monitor the two political rallies by RDP and SWAPO Party planned for December 22 2007 in the Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions. In so doing, we will closely collaborate with the Police and other law enforcement agencies in the country to ensure that anyone, regardless of political affiliation, who resorts to political intimidation is brought to book”, stated ya Nangoloh.