namibia – joint civil society report with ccpr centre and...

NAMIBIA–JointCivilSocietyReportwithCCPRCentreandSALC

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NAMIBIA

CivilsocietyreportfortheReviewoftheSecondPeriodicReportofNamibia(CAT/C/NAM/2)atthe59thsessionoftheCommitteeAgainstTorture

Submittedby:NamibiaNon-GovernmentalOrganisationsForum(NANGOF)andLegalAssistanceCentre(LAC)

Joinedby:Women’sActionforDevelopment(WAD)CitizensforanAccountableandTransparentSociety(CATS)SouthernAfricanChristianInitiative(SACHI–http://sachi-sadc.org)BreakingtheWallofSilence(BWS)Women’sLeadershipCentre(WLC)NamibianWomen’sHealthNetwork(NWHN)KatuturaYouthEnterpriseCentre(KAYEC)ChurchAllianceforOrphans(CAFO)SisterNamibiaAna-JehSanTrustDavidKasumeCommunityDevelopmentOrganisationBusinessHubNamibiaNAWIBNam-YCWKhomasHomelessDevelopmentOrganisationKingdomPowerACPCN/NM4JVictims2SurvivorsQueenslandProjectRestoringtheDignityofourPeopleAutismAssociationofNamibiaNamibiaPensionFundsProtection


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Withthesupportof:

SouthernAfricaLitigationCentre(SALC)

CentreforCivilandPoliticalRights(CCPRCentre)


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TableofContents

I. Introduction.....................................................................................................................................4

II. Violenceagainstwomen,includingdomesticviolence..................................................................5

III. Righttolifeandprohibitionoftortureandcruel,inhumanordegradingtreatmentorpunishment............................................................................................................................................7

IV. Eliminationofslavery,servitudeandforcedlabourandmeasurestoprotectminors.................9

V. Pre-trialdetention..........................................................................................................................9

VI. Treatmentofpersonsdeprivedoftheirliberty..........................................................................10

VII. Refugeesandasylumseekers....................................................................................................11

VIII. Juvenilejustice..........................................................................................................................12

IX. Corporalpunishment...................................................................................................................13

X. Sexualabuseofchildren...............................................................................................................14


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I. IntroductionThisreport isanextractofthejointreportpreparedbycivilsocietyorganisationsundertheauspicesoftheNamibiaNon-GovernmentalOrganisationsForum(NANGOFtrust)anddraftedbytheLegalAssistanceCentre (LAC) in reply to the List of IssuesonNamibia adoptedby theUNHumanRightsCommittee1 inviewof thereviewof theSecondPeriodicReport,2scheduledat the116thsessionof theHumanRightsCommitteeinMarch2016.

a. Joiningorganisations

NANGOFTrustistheumbrellanetworkforallnon-governmentalorganisations(NGOs)inNamibia.Itsroleistoadvocateforpro-poorgovernmentpolicies,buildlinkagesandnetworksforNGOsandprovidecapacitystrengtheningsupporttomemberorganisations.NANGOFTrusthasupto200directmemberNGOs and 500 indirect member NGOs, community based organisations (CBOs) and faith basedorganisations(FBOs).LACisapublicinterestlawcentrefoundedin1988thatcollectivelystrivestomakethelawaccessibleto those with the least access, through education, law reform, research, litigation, legal advice,representationandlobbying,withtheultimateaimofcreatingandmaintainingahumanrightsculturein Namibia. The LAC currently has four major units: (1) The Social Justice Project; (2) the Gender,ResearchandAdvocacyProjectand (3) theLand,EnvironmentandDevelopmentProject. TheLAC isbasedinWindhoek.Theorganisationspresentingthisreportareassetoutabove.

b. MethodologyTheNANGOFtrustwith thesupportof theCentre forCivilandPoliticalRights (CCPRCentre)andtheSouthern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) convened a workshop attended by a broad variety of civilsocietyorganisationsworkinginthevariousareasaddressedbytheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights(ICCPR).TheworkshopprovidedinputontheListofIssuesraisedbytheHumanRightsCommittee, which input is collated in this response. In addition, more in depth information wasobtainedfrominterviewswithstakeholdersanddeskreviewwhennecessary.

c. ContactdetailsTheLegalAssistanceCentredraftedandcoordinatedtheinputforthesubmissionofthisreport.MrsToniHancoxDirectorLegalAssistanceCentre4MarienNgouabiStreetWindhoekNamibia+26461223356(t)[email protected]

1CCPR/C/NAM/Q/22CCPR/C/NAM/2


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II. Violenceagainstwomen,includingdomesticviolence

a.GenderBasedViolenceCivil society commends the State party on all its activities undertaken to raise awareness of domesticviolence,forenactinglegislationandfortheeffortsmadetoimplementtheCombatingofDomesticViolenceAct. However there would appear to have been no decrease in the incidents of domestic violence, themurdersofintimatepartnersandgeneralviolenceagainstwomenandchildren,whichindicatesthatthereisaneedforadditionalmeasurestoaddressthisproblem.There seems tobe inadequateapplicationof the rulesonbail in some instances,withpersonswhohavecommittedrepeatedrapesormadethreats to thevictimswhoreported theGBVcasesbeing releasedonbailwhentheyactuallyposeadangertosociety.TherearestillanumberofproblemswiththeservicesprovidedbytheGBVProtectionUnits,whichdonotconsistentlyprovideasensitiveresponsetoGBVvictimswhoattempttoreportcases.Personswhoreportcases more than once are stigmatized as ‘problem cases’, with the victim being made to feel like thewrongdoer.MostGBVProtectionUnitsdonothavesufficientsocialworkerservicesattached,andmostdonothaveshelterfacilitiesavailableforGBVvictims.It is telling that the State party’s response to the List of Issues of the Human Rights Committee focusesprimarily on reports of the 2nd National Conference on Gender Based Violence.3 Money and energyrepeatedly spent on a huge national conference could better be spent on ensuring meaningfulimplementationoftheexistingconferencerecommendations,theNationalPlanofActiononGBV,andthelawswhichhavebeenputinplacetocombatGBV.TheStatepartyfailedtorespondtotheconcernabouttheaccessibilityandenforceabilityoftheCombatingofDomesticViolenceAct in areas far frommagistrates andpolice services.Circuit courts and communitycourtscouldbeutilizedinsuchinstances.In2012NAMPOLreported1397casesofrapeandattemptedrape,whichisprobablyanunderestimateoftheactualextentofrapeinNamibia.Itissuspectedthatchildrape–whichconsistentlyaccountsforaboutone-thirdofallreportedrapesoverthelastfewyears–isparticularlylikelytobeunderreported.Recommendations:TheStatePartyshould:i) IncreaseoutreachtomenandboysincombatingGBV;

ii) ProviderehabilitationservicesforbothvictimsandperpetratorsofGBVandtheirfamilies;

iii) IncreaseGBVsensitizationandtrainingonGBV-relatedlegislationinschools,incorporatedtothelifeskillscurriculum;

iv) FocusonconcreteimplementationoftheNationalPlanofActiononGBVratherthanholdingfurthernationalconferences;

v) Make more use of specialised prosecutors who liaise closely with police to ensure properconsiderationofbailissuesandtoincreaseconvictionratesonGBVcases;

vi) Improve the response of GBV ProtectionUnits to victims and providemore shelters and supportservicestovictims.

3ThewrittenrepliesofNamibiatotheListofIssuesadoptedbytheHumanRightsCommitteeareavailablehere.


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b.HarmfulpracticesCivilsocietydoesnotagreewiththeStateparty’sreplytotheHumanRightsCommittee’sListofIssuesthattherearenoharmfulpracticesbeingpracticedinNamibia.Althoughthenamesofthesepracticesmaynotbeas suggestedby theCommittee, therearecredible reportsofharmfulpractices suchasvarious sexualinitiationcustoms.Thesepracticesareoftencondonedasbeingacceptedundercustomary law.TheChildCare and Protection Act 3 of 2015 (passed by Parliament but not yet in force) contains the followingprovisiononharmfulculturalpractices:

Harmfulsocial,culturalorreligiouspractices226. (1) Apersonmaynotsubjectachildtosocial,culturalandreligious

practiceswhicharedetrimentaltohisorherwell-being.(2) Apersonmaynotgiveachildoutinmarriageorengagementifsuch

child does not consent to themarriage or engagement or is below theminimum age formarriagecontemplatedinsection24oftheMarriageAct,1963(ActNo.25of1961).

(3) A-(a)child requires the consent of theminister responsible for home affairs in

ordertomarry;and(b)person below the age of 21 years also requires the consent of his or her

parent,parentsorguardianintermsofsection10(10)ofthisActinordertomarry.

(3) Apersonwhocontravenessubsection(1)or(2)commitsanoffenceand isliableonconvictiontoafinenotexceedingN$50000orto imprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingtenyearsortobothsuchfineandsuchimprisonment.

(4) The Minister may, after consultation with interested parties includingtraditionalleaders,byregulationprohibitanysocial,culturalorreligiouspractice,includingbutnotlimitedtoanyformofsexualinitiation,which,intheMinister’sopinion,maybedetrimentaltothewell-beingofchildren.

(5) Aregulationcontemplatedinsubsection(4)mayprovidethatanyperson who contravenes or fails to comply with a provision of a regulation, commits anoffenceandisliableonconvictiontoafinenotexceedingN$10000ortoimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingtwoyearsortobothsuchfineandsuchimprisonment.

This is a laudablebeginning,but itwill requireagreatdealofeffort to implement inpractice. Itmustberememberedthat it isoftendifficultforpeople–particularlychildren-tospeakoutaboutsuchissuesforfear of rejection by community and family. Therefore, intensive awareness-raising and the support oftraditionalauthoritieswillbenecessarytoimplementthisprovisionmeaningfully.Therearecurrentlynostatisticsavailableonhowmanywomenandgirlsaresubjectedtoharmfulsocialandculturalpractices.Recommendations:TheStatePartyshould:i) Embark on intensive education awareness-raising in targeting communities on harmful cultural

practices and their rights in this regard, andon the linksbetween suchpractices andGBV,publichealth,thespreadofHIV;

ii) Sensitisepoliceandmagistratestothewaysinwhichspecificharmfulpracticesmayconstituterapeordomesticviolenceaswellascontraventionof theChildCareandProtectionAct (once itcomesintoforce),andprovidesupportforvictimswhoattempttospeakoutaboutsuchviolations.


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c.ProsecutionandsanctionofrapeTheStatepartyhasindicatedtherelevantprovisionsoftheCombatingofRapeActandoutlinedanumberoffactors that hamper the successful conviction and sentencing of rape violators, but without indicatingmeasurestoreducetheselimitingfactors.Dataonattritionandconviction rates in rapecaseswaspublishedby theLegalAssistanceCentre in2006(basedonanationalsampleofcourtfiles),butthereisnoindicationthatgovernmentregularlycompilesorreleasessuchdata,whichmakeitimpossibletomonitorprogressontheseissues.TheLabourAct11of2007prohibitsdiscriminationonarangeofgroundsandspecificallyaddressessexualharassment in the workplace (although omitting any mention of non-sexual forms of harassment whichcannotbeclassifiedasdiscrimination).Sexualharassmentcasesarerarelyreported,forfearofvictimizationandlossofemployment.Thereareanecdotalreportsofsexualharassmentofwomen,includinginthepoliceforce, Namibia Defence Force, themining sector and construction industries, where some fear to reportsuch incidents for fearofbeing seenasnotbeing fit fora “man’s job”or fearof furtherharassmentandstigmatization.TheLabourAct11of2007envisagesCodesofGoodPracticeforkeyworkplaceissues(section137),butnoCodeofGoodPracticeonSexualHarassmenthasbeenissued.Recommendations:TheStatePartyshould:i) Compileandreleaseregularstatisticsonprosecutions,withdrawalsandconvictionsinrapeand

otherGBV-relatedcriminalcases;putintoplacevictimsupportmeasurestodiscouragecasewithdrawals;

ii) Considereffectivemechanismstoimplementtheprotectionsagainstsexualharassmentintheworkplace,andensurethatthevictimsthereofareprovidedwithadequatecomplaintmechanismsandappropriateprotectionaftermakingsuchcomplaints.

III. Righttolifeandprohibitionoftortureandcruel,inhumanordegradingtreatmentorpunishmentThe State has informed that the Prevention and Combating of Torture Bill will be tabled in parliamentduringearly2016.TheLegalAssistanceCentredocumentscasesofexcessive forceandabuseofpowerbythepolice force,themostrecentreferringtothephysicalassaultofaclientby9policeofficersfollowinganallegationmadeagainstclientthathehadstolenalaptop.Theallegationwassubsequentlywithdrawnandclientwasnevercriminallycharged.TheLegalAssistanceCentrehasanotheropencaseinitsrecordsrelatingtothekillingofayouthbypoliceofficersin2014.During 2013 there were continuous reports from a San women’s grassroots group about the abuse ofpowersbypoliceofficialsinOmega1,intheZambeziRegion.Achargeofrapewasalsolaidagainstoneofthepoliceofficers.Thischargewas laterwithdrawnostensiblybecauseofa fearof reprisalgiventhat thepoliceofficerhadaccesstothecomplainantinherhospitalroomwhereshewasallegedlythreatened.Itisconceded that the Internal InvestigationDirectorate initiatedan investigationand indeeda responsewasreceived from theOffice of the Regional Commander in the Zambezi Region.4 It appears though that noproperfollowupwasdonesincetherecommendationbytheRegionalCommanderthattheaccusedpoliceofficerbetransferredhasnotbeenimplementedwiththecommunityconfirmingthatheisstillstationedat4Byletterdated22November2013.


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Omega1.Inaddition,theRegionalCommanderrecommendedanawarenesscampaignbeheldatOmega1police station tomake it clearwhat is expected fromapoliceofficervis a vis thepublic. The communityreportsthattheyarenotawareofanysuchtrainingorcampaigntakingplace.Thereisanecdotalevidencethatpoliceofficersabusetheirpowersinrelationtosexworkerswithreportsin the media suggesting that sex workers are arrested and only released once they have sex with thearrestingofficer.5TheStatepartyhasfailedtoadequatelyaddresstheissueoftransitionaljusticeandsoredresshumanrightsabusesofthepast.Thefateandwhereaboutsoftheestimatednumberof4000Namibianswhodisappearedatthehandsofthethenliberationmovement,nowtherulingparty,SWAPO,remainsunknown.Thefamiliesliveintraumaanduncertaintyandaredeniedtherighttoknowthetruthaboutthefateandwhereaboutsoftheir lovedones.Therearealsopractical concerns relating to the inability tosettle important legal issuesdealingwithinheritance,propertyandmaritalstatus.Theinabilitytoobtaininformationabouttheir lovedonesaggravatestheirtraumaandissubmittedtobeaformofcontinuoustortureanddenialoftheirrighttoknowthefateandwhereaboutsoftheirlovedones.Inaddition,thesurvivorscontinuetobediscriminatedagainstandareunabletoequallyandfairlybenefitfromtheprogramsthataredesignedtoassistthewarveterans.Recommendations:TheStatePartyshould:

i) ExpeditethepromulgationofthePreventionandCombatingofTortureBillandensurethatprosecutorsandthepoliceforceareprovidedwithtraininginordertoproperlyadministertheAct;

iii) Ensureinvestigationsarecarriedoutintoreportsofhumanrightsviolationsbythepoliceandthatpoliceofficersareheldaccountableforsuchviolationsthroughdisciplinaryandcriminalproceedingsmeetinginternationalhumanrightsstandards.ThiswouldapplyequallytomembersofthemunicipalCityPoliceforce;

iv) Initiate an investigationby the Internal InvestigationDirectorateor another independentbody toestablishtheidentityoftheperpetrators(policeordefenceforce)accusedoftortureintheCaprivitreasontrialandsubsequentlysuspendandensurethatperpetratorsarebroughttojusticeinafairtrial;

v) Ensurepolicerespectandprotecttherightsofallindividualsirrespectiveoftheirprofession,sexualorientation,sexoranyothergroundofdiscrimination,includingthroughcontinuedandconcertedhumanrightstrainingofpoliceofficers;

vi) Elicitpublicopinionaroundtheproposeddecriminalisationofsexworkwithaviewtoconsideringthedecriminalisationofsame;

vii) MakepublicstatisticsrelatingtothemattersinvestigatedbytheInternalInvestigationDirectorateandtheresultsofsuchinvestigations;

viii) ConsiderwhetheranindependentbodyisrequiredtoreplacetheInternalInvestigationDirectorate.Dependent on the results of such investigation, this could be the Office of the Ombudsman ifdecentralizedandsufficientlyresourced;

x) InvestigatethefateandwhereaboutsofthemissingpersonswhodisappearedwhileunderSWAPO’scareinexile;

xi) TakeresponsibilityforandprovideremediesfortheSWAPOex-detaineequestion;

5Onesuchreport:“Sexworkersspillthebeans”NamibianSun23October2013.


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xii) Createaplatformfornationaldialogueonestablishingthetruthaboutpastrightsviolationsandsopromotehealing.

IV. Eliminationofslavery,servitudeandforcedlabourandmeasurestoprotectminorsItiscorrectthattheMinistryofLabourandSocialWelfareistaskedwiththeoversightoftheLabourActandits regulations and that the current Labour Act indeed has provisions aimed to protect children againstharmfulwork.However,theproblemwouldappeartobeintheimplementationofthisoversightfunction.Reports obtained from grassroots civil society organisations indicate that children stillwork under harshconditions, inmanyinstancesnotattendingschool,andthatthelabourdirectorateis insufficientlystaffedtoproperlymonitorandenforcecompliancewiththelaw.This would also apply to the situation of farm workers and domestic workers. Although Namibia haslegislationsettingoutminimumwagesinthesetwocases,reportsfromgrassrootsCSOsindicatethatthesearenotalwayscompliedwithandsanctionsarenotenforcedagainsttheoffendingemployees.Itmustalsobe notedwith concern that theminimumwage legislationhas resulted in a number of employees losingtheiremploymentduetoaninabilityorunwillingnessbysomeemployerstoabidebythislegislation.From the information available to the Legal Assistance Centre, there have been a few isolated cases offorcedlabourandtrafficking,butnoindicationoflinkstoorganisedcrime.Studieshavealsoturneduponlyisolatedcases,many involving familymembers fromothercountriescoming toNamibiaanddoingchoresforfoodandboard–sometimesexploitativelyandsometimesnot.Itwillbegoodtohavealegalframeworkinplaceinorderforanypotentialcasestobedealtwithinauniformmanner.Recommendations:TheStatePartyshould:i) Ensure that the LabourDirectorate is sufficiently staffed and sufficiently resourced to adequately

supervise and investigate all child labour issues, ideally creating a unit specifically trained andsensitizedtodealonlywithchildlabourissues;

ii) Provideannual reportsby theMinistryof LabourandSocialWelfare toall stakeholders, includingcivilsociety,onthesituationofchildlabour,farmanddomesticworkersanddetailingfollowuponoutstandingconcerns;

iii) Provideaccessibleavenues for farmworkersanddomesticworkers for the reportingofviolationsandensureprotectionagainstpossiblevictimisation;

iv) Expeditetheproposedlegislationrelatingtotrafficking.

V. Pre-trialdetentionPre-trialdetentionremainsunacceptablylengthy,partlyduetothelengthoftimethatittakestoinvestigatethematter. Judicial recordsconfirm thatmanycriminal trials currently in thecourts relate to incidentsoftwoormoreyearsago. Inadditiontherehavebeenreportsofthecourtsnotallowingpostponementsforfurther investigationswhen such investigations have been inordinately lengthy and this has resulted in anumberofseriouschargesbeingwithdrawn.The48hourruleisindeedentrenchedinourconstitutionalframeworkandthecourtshaveconfirmedthisconsistently in their judgments. There is a concern, however, that a number of towns do not have apermanentsittingmagistratewhichcancausedelays intermsofthe48hourrule.This iscompoundedbythe challenges of ensuring that there are sufficient vehicles at all police stations to ensure that accusedpersonscanbetransportedtoamagistrateingoodtime.


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Therearepracticalbarrierstotherightstoappealorreviewwhicharecauseforconcern.Intheexperienceof the Legal Assistance Centre and a number of its clients, there continues to be an inordinate delay inpreparingcourtsrecordsforappealtobeusedbyappellantsandnopropermechanismforthemtoexpediteorenforcethepreparationofthecourtrecord.According to sources at the Office of the Ombudsman, trial awaiting and convicted detainees are keptseparateatcorrectionalfacilitieswithafewisolatedexceptions.However,accusedwhoareconvictedforaperiodofnolongerthanthreemonthsareforthemostpastreturnedtothepolicecellsweretheyarekepttogether with trial awaiting detainees while serving out their sentence, which sentences are generallyremandedtotwomonths.Thereiscurrentlynoutilizationofelectronicbracelets.Manyaccusedareunrepresentedduetoalackofapublic defender’s programme and are not able to properly formalize a bail request. There is insufficientefforttoencouragemagistratestoassisttheaccusedinthisregard.Wherebailisgranted,thesumisveryoftentoohighfortheaccusedtopay,resultinginovercrowdingintheholdingcells.There are currently noprovisions accommodating personswith any kindof disabilitieswhen coming intocontactwiththejudicialsystem. Recommendations:TheStatePartyshould:i) Ensurethatthepoliceforceisproperlyequippedtofacilitatethetransferofanarrestedpersontoa

magistrateatalltimes;

ii) Ensure the provision of a dedicated person at all courts to deal onlywith the preparation of thecourtrecordsforappeal;

iii) Considerutilizinglawgraduatestoactaspublicprotectorsislessseriouscriminalcasesforalimitedperiodoftimeaftertheiradmittance;

iv) Engagewithmagistratesandprosecutorstoencouragethemtoconsiderbailineachandeverycaseofanunrepresentedaccusedandtoassistsuchaccusedinunderstandingtheprocedureinvolved;

v) Engagewith organisations assisting personswith disabilities in order to put in place a consideredpolicytoproperlyaccommodatepersonswithdisabilitieswhencomingintocontactwiththejudicialsystem.

VI. Treatmentofpersonsdeprivedoftheirliberty

Thereappears tobea conflictwith the statistics inparagraph86of theState replies to theListof IssuesadoptedbytheHumanRightsCommittee6relatingtotheOlunoCorrectionalFacility.Thestatisticsdonotreflect thereportsofovercrowdingpresented fromcivil societysources in that theStatepartynotes thattheirofficialbedcapacityissufficientbutsimultaneouslyreportsovercrowdingin6facilities.Itisreportedthatthereareanumberofvacanciesrelatingtomedicalpersonnelinthecorrectionalservices.This understaffing also results in medical assistance not being consistently available within the facilities,24/7.Acourt commissioned reportpreparedby theLegalAssistanceCentre in20117onstandardswithinthefacilitiesindicatedthatwhileofficialmenusanddietsarebalancedandreviewed,therealityisthatthe

6ThewrittenrepliesofNamibiatotheListofIssuesadoptedbytheHumanRightsCommitteeareavailablehere.7SGanebvMinistryofSafetyandSecurityandOneother–casenumberA160/2011.


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foodsarenotalwaysavailableorprovided.ThisischallenginginparticularwhencertainfoodsarerequiredformedicalconditionsandcanhaveadetrimentaleffectontheresponsetoHIV/AIDS.CondomsarestillnotprovidedincorrectionalfacilitiesduetotheStateparty’sstancethattheirprovisionwill encourage the commission of a crime, namely sodomy. Anecdotal evidence suggests that desperateinmatesuseplasticbagstoprotectthemselvesinstead.ThereisnopossibilityofconjugalvisitinNamibianprisons.There have been no reports in the media or otherwise of correctional services inspections by visitingjustices. The Office of the Ombudsman conducts regular visits and we commend the recent visit to theWindhoekcorrectionalfacilitybythecurrentFirstLady.TheCorrectionalServicesAct9of2012wasalreadypromulgatedon1January2014.TheMinistryof Justice is in theprocessof rollingoutcommunity serviceordersasanalternative formofpunishment for minor offences according to the reports to the access to justice monitoring committeeundertheNationalHumanRightsActionPlan.We recognize the efforts of the Correctional Services to move from punishment to rehabilitation andreintegrationandtheStatepartyisencouragedtocontinueonthistrend.Recommendations:TheStatePartyshould:i)Makeeveryeffort toensure thatall vacancies formedicalpersonnelwithin theCorrectional Services isfilled, and that they are tasked with monitoring the quality and quantity of food and the provision ofmedicine.CompulsorymonthlyreportstotheCommissionerofPrisonsshouldbeeffected;

ii)Considerprovidingcondomsinprisonsforpurposesofpublichealthconcerns;

iii)RatifytheOP-CATasamatterofurgency;

iv)Expedite the rolloutof community serviceordersandundertakea capacitybuildingexerciseamongststakeholders. Government should ensure a bigger pool of supervisory bodies by making it attractive tosuperviseoffenders.

VII. Refugeesandasylumseekers

Therehasbeennoofficial reply to the issue raised regarding thepositionof asylum seekerswith awell-foundedfearofirreparableharmbasedontheirsexualorientation.TheCommissionerofRefugeesmadeacommentagainstagayUgandanmalewhowasgoingtobedeported.ThedeportationwasblockedbythecourtandsubsequentnegotiationsensuredthattheclientisnowastudentinCanada.8Itcouldbearguedthatcurrentlythelegislationoffersprotectiontopeoplewhoarethreatenedbyimminentharmonthebasisof being members of a “particular social group,” which is defined in the legislation as one of bases forprotection.Therefore,homosexualsaremembersofa“particularsocialgroup”entitledtoasylumiftheyarepersecutedfortheirsexualorientation.However,theStatehasnotmadethatclear.TheStatepartyhasentereda reservation in respectof the1951GenevaConventionwhich then requiresrefugeesandasylumseekerstoremaininOsireRefugeeCampunlesstheyhavespecificpermitstoleavethe

8AccordingtoNormanTjombe,client’sattorneyofrecord.


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camp.Theargumentforthis is thattheStateneedsto“control therefugeesandasylumseekers fortheirownprotection”.Recommendations:TheStatePartyshould:i)ConsideramendingtheNamibianRefugees(RecognitionandControl)ActNo.2of1999whichstipulatesthecriteriaandthegroundstobeconsideredforasylumseekers in thecountryonan individualbasis,byclarifyingthata“particularsocialgroup”couldincludeagrouppersecutedbasedontheirsexualorientation;

ii) Devise a system whereby refugees and asylum seekers can move freely within Namibia while stillobtainingtherequisitesupport.

VIII. JuvenilejusticeCasesofchildrenunder10yearsofagewhohavebeenprosecutedforanoffenceIt isregrettedthatNamibiaoffersnoreplytotheHumanRightsCommittee’squestionrelatingtowhetherchildren under the age of 10 years are or have been prosecuted for an offence, and also whether theconstitutionalprotectionagainstdetentionforchildrenundertheageof16isrespected.JuveniledetaineesWhiletheStatepartyreportsthatfromtheentirepopulationthereareonly2juvenileoffenderscurrentlydetained, it is respectfullydenied that this is accuratebasedpurelyon thehighamountof juvenile casespending before the Namibian courts and the backlog of such cases. Data on file at the Legal AssistanceCentre shows that in 2010, 319 juvenileswere chargedwith criminal offences and in 2011, 281 juvenileswerecharged.AccordingtoareportpublishedbytheNamibiaStatisticsAgency,18juvenilesweredetainedin2014.9Thereasonwhytherehassuddenlybeenadropinthenumberofchildreninconflictwiththelawisnotclear.

InthegovernmentreporttotheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChilditstatedthat:

...in 2009 the Elizabeth Nepemba Juvenile Detention Centre in Kavango Region did not receiveenough juvenile inmates to justify full-time operation. It may therefore be modified for otherpurposes. Children who are incarcerated are put into special sections of the thirteen existing

9NamibiaStatisticsAgency,NamibiaSocialStatistics,NamibiaStatisticsAgency,2014at38.


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prisonsaroundthecountry,wheretheyareisolatedfromtheadultpopulation.Thesesectionsarestaffedbyofficerswhohavereceivedspecialtrainingondealingwithjuveniles.Currently,thereisa preference for using local facilities to incarcerate children because in themajority of cases itmakesiteasierforfamilymemberstovisitthechild.10

IX. Corporalpunishment

TheuseofcorporalpunishmentinsomeschoolscontinuesdespitethefactthatitsuseisprohibitedbytheEducation Act 16 of 2001. The Legal Assistance Centre has received requests for help from parents andsometimesdirectlyfromchildrenwhoarebeingbeatenatschool.Textmessagescomplainingabouttheuseofcorporalpunishmentatspecificschoolsareregularlypublishedinthenationalnewspapersassentinbyparentsorlearners.Therewasonerecentcasetotestwhethercorporalpunishmentmaybeusedinprivateschools.Thiscaseruledthatcorporalpunishmentmaynotbeusedinprivateschools,althoughthecaseisonappeal.TheChildCareandProtectionActwilloutlawtheuseofcorporalpunishmentatanyregisteredfacilitywhichcaresforchildren(includingchildren’shomes,shelters,crèchesanddaycarecentres),andinanyformofalternativecarewherethechildhasbeenplacedintermsofacourtorder(suchasfostercareorcourt-orderedkinshipcare).Theuseofcorporalpunishmentasasentenceforcrimeoradisciplinarymeasurewasprohibitedbya1991courtcase;theChildCareandProtectionActprovidesfurtherclaritybyprohibitingusageofcorporalpunishmentinpolicecustodyorprison.The key principle is Article 8 of the Namibian Constitution, which protects human dignity and prohibits“cruel,inhumanordegradingtreatmentorpunishment”.In1991,theNamibianSupremeCourtfoundthatArticle 8(1) of the Namibian Constitution prohibits corporal punishment by any “organ of state”, whichwould include government schools as well as the administration of corporal punishment to adult andjuvenile offenders. This principlewas established in the case of: Ex Parte Attorney-General, Namibia: Re:CorporalPunishmentbyOrgansoftheState1991NR178(SC).Civil society has worked to disseminate information on the harmful effects of corporal punishment andpromotenon-violentformsofdiscipline.Recommendations:TheStatePartyshould:i) TabletheChildJusticeBill inparliamentwithoutanyfurtherdelayandtakeallreasonablestepsto

ensurethatitcomesintoforceandprovidesufficientresourcesforimplementation;

ii) EnsurethattheChildCareProtectionActcomesintoforcewithoutanyfurtherunnecessarydelaybyfinalizingitsRegulationsandprovidesufficientresourcesforimplementation;

iii) Ensure that juveniles arenotdetainedwithadultswhether inholding cellsorpermanent cellsbysupplementingthecurrentinfrastructuretocaterforjuveniledetainees;

iv) Makeeveryefforttominimizethedetentionofjuvenileoffendersandratherprovideforalternativemethodsofmanagement;

10First,SecondandThirdNamibiaCountryPeriodicReportsontheImplementationoftheUnitedNationalConventionontheRightsoftheChildandTwoOptionalProtocols1997-2008,Windhoek:MinistryofGenderEqualityandChildWelfare,[2009]at76,footnoteomitted.


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X. SexualabuseofchildrenTheChildCareandProtectionAct includesalistofscenarioswhereachild isconsideredtobea“child inneedofprotection”.Achildwhoisavictimofsexualviolence/abuseincludingprostitutionwouldfitwithinthislist.Whenareportismade,asocialworkerwillinvestigatethecase.Thismayresultintheremovalofthechildfromthesituation.Thecasewillbereviewedbythechildren’scourtandthecourtwillhavetheoption to order a range of interventions. Whilst this is a provision that must be implemented, therecognitioninthelawofthecategoriesunderwhichachildisinneedofprotectionandthespecificstepsmust then follow is a positive step in taking measures to combat the problem. The Child Care andProtection Act will also introduce mandatory reporting for professionals/officials who have duties withrespecttochildren.There are insufficient government and private accessing counselling services for child victims of sexualviolence or abuse. It is civil society’s understanding that children engaged in prostitution are treated asvictimsandnotasoffenders.Civil society implemented a project to improve responses of police and court officials to childwitnesses.Therewasaplan tohave thisprogramme incorporated intogovernment structures,however thisdidnotappear to transpire.Measures todealwith vulnerablewitnessesare incorporated into law– forexamplerelocating the trial to a less formal setting while the victim gives evidence, rearranging furniture in thecourtroom, or adjusting where people stand, allowing a support person to accompany the victim or theoptiontogiveevidencefrombehindascreenorthroughCCTVifresourcesareavailable.Recommendations:TheStatePartyshould:1) EnsurethatGBV-ProtectionUnitsandcourtshavesufficientresourcestoeffectivelyimplementthe

provisionsforvulnerablewitnesses.

namibia – joint civil society report with ccpr centre and...

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