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Botswana bushmen in legal setback Botswana bushmen in legal setback
(about 1 hour later)
Bushmen from the Kalahari desert evicted from the land four years ago may not return, one of three judges presiding over the case has ruled.Bushmen from the Kalahari desert evicted from the land four years ago may not return, one of three judges presiding over the case has ruled.
In a blow to the bushmen, the judge decided in favour of the government which had evicted the group in 2002.In a blow to the bushmen, the judge decided in favour of the government which had evicted the group in 2002.
But two other judges have yet to rule on the case, the longest and most expensive in Botswana's history.But two other judges have yet to rule on the case, the longest and most expensive in Botswana's history.
Botswana has argued that the bushmen abandoned their traditional ways long ago and have no claim to the area.Botswana has argued that the bushmen abandoned their traditional ways long ago and have no claim to the area.
The BBC's Orla Guerin, who is at the court, says there has been a very subdued reaction from the bushmen who had gathered to hear the verdict.The BBC's Orla Guerin, who is at the court, says there has been a very subdued reaction from the bushmen who had gathered to hear the verdict.
'Dispiriting' camps'Dispiriting' camps
The San people - known as bushmen - brought their case forward after being moved to functional but bleak settlements outside the Kalahari game reserve, where a new way of life was imposed.The San people - known as bushmen - brought their case forward after being moved to functional but bleak settlements outside the Kalahari game reserve, where a new way of life was imposed.
But the government said the bushmen do not belong to the Kalahari any more because their lifestyle has changed, and their presence interferes with conservation.But the government said the bushmen do not belong to the Kalahari any more because their lifestyle has changed, and their presence interferes with conservation.
The reserve was a poverty trap that denied them access to health and education, it said, arguing that the bushmen were better off in the settlements where they have clinics and schools along with food and water.The reserve was a poverty trap that denied them access to health and education, it said, arguing that the bushmen were better off in the settlements where they have clinics and schools along with food and water.
They also deny allegations that the bushmen were driven out to make way for diamond mining.They also deny allegations that the bushmen were driven out to make way for diamond mining.
The bushmen's lawyer contend that although there are facilities in the camps, there is little for them to do.The bushmen's lawyer contend that although there are facilities in the camps, there is little for them to do.
"Almost everybody is dependent, to a greater or lesser extent, on handouts and that's a rather dispiriting experience," Gordon Bennet says."Almost everybody is dependent, to a greater or lesser extent, on handouts and that's a rather dispiriting experience," Gordon Bennet says.
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