15 Jul 2021

The Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation has labelled false and slanderous a Sunday Standard newspaper July 11-17 article suggesting that Botswana had not cooperated with the

Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions.

In a media release, the ministry expresses concern about the article headlined “UN Backs Khama Assassination Claims” which it says appears to be based on a March 26 letter circulating on social media platforms alleging that the life of former president Lt. Gen Seretse Khama Ian Khama is at risk.

It notes that the same letter was posted on the special rapporteur’s website.

According to the release, the article insinuates that Botswana has not cooperated with the special rapporteur on the alleged issue, which is completely inaccurate.

“Contrary to this misleading narrative, Botswana is cooperating with the special rapporteur.

The ministry wishes to advise that Botswana has a long-standing record of cooperation with mandate holders.

In fact, in 2018, the country accepted recommendations to issue a standing invitation to all special procedures mandate holders,” says the release.

It states that this is a political commitment affirming Botswana’s willingness to accommodate all requests for visits and inquiries by mandate holders as well as to facilitate their smooth and unhindered access to stakeholders in the country.

Botswana, the release says,  has hosted visits by UN special procedures and mandate holders in recent years and continues  cooperating with human rights mechanisms in keeping with its human rights promotion obligations.

These include the Special Rapporteur on Indigenous People and that dealing with minority issues, it says.

The release says in light of the various cooperation platforms, Botswana stands ready to further engage through diplomatic channels with the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Execution on the issue regarding General Khama.

“It should be noted that it is standard practice in Botswana to report any threat to life to the police.

However, at the time of issuing this rebuttal, there were no known reports made to the police on the attempted assassination of former President Khama,” says the release.

The release further reiterates Botswana’s unreserved commitment to fully cooperate with mandate holders on the basis of good faith and openness. Ends