In the middle of Botswana lies the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, created to protect the traditional territory of the 5,000 Gana, Gwi and Tsila Bushmen (sic), and the ecosystem they depend on.

In the early 1980s, diamonds were discovered in the reserve. Following the discovery, virtually all the Bushmen were forced out. Their homes were dismantled, their school and health post were closed, their water supply was destroyed, and the people were threatened and trucked away.

However, on December 13, 2006, the Bushmen won a historic victory. The judges of the Botswana Supreme Court ruled that their eviction by the government was "unlawful and unconstitutional." The court ruled that they have the right to live inside the reserve on their ancestral land. The court also ruled that the Bushmen have the right to hunt and gather in the reserve, and should not have to apply for permits to enter it.

In the months since, though some Bushmen have been able to return to their homes, their rights continue to be violated. In February 2007 six Bushmen were arrested and held for six days after police and wildlife guards accused them of hunting in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana. The men were given no food for four days and were threatened at gunpoint by police. One of the men and his wife were beaten up after refusing to let wildlife scouts and police search their home without a warrant.

After the arrests, Survival International's Director, Stephen Corry, said, "It's time for Botswana's government to take control of its police and wildlife guards and stop them abusing the Bushmen. We welcome the release of these men without charge, but if this mistreatment doesn't stop, Botswana's reputation is bound to take another nosedive."

Your support is vital if the Bushmen are to survive. There are many ways you can help. Writing a letter is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help tribal peoples. There is a sample letter available on the Survival International website.

Supporters are urged to join the more than 100,000 people who have signed a petition on behalf of the Bushmen. The petition can be signed online or downloaded in order to collect additional signatures. Another way to support the Bushmen is through boycotting DeBeers, the diamond conglomerate which has cut a deal with the Botswana Government (see www.boycottdebeers.com [6]).