Polenz called to order JEMIMA BEUKES The Nama and OvaHerero technical committee members have called on the German government to call its ambassador to Namibia Christian Schlaga and German Special Envoy Ruprect Polenz to order.
Speaking during a press briefing yesterday Nama Technical Committee chairperson Ida Hoffmann demanded that Polenz explain whether the life of a Jew is worth more than that of a Nama or OvaHerero person.
The members made it clear that they will leave no stone unturned in their quest for justice.
This followed after Polenz reportedly told the Nama and OvaHerero technical committee members that the Holocaust cannot be compared with the 1904-1908 Nama and OvaHerero genocide because the killing of the Jews was worse.
“We are convinced Polenz’s utterances are a sign of blatant racism. We further believe that both the German and Namibian governments are not genuine. This is especially true about the German government. The international community needs to be aware that that the German government is reluctant to take care of its historical responsibilities in Namibia,” said Hoffmann.
According to her Schlaga failed in his duty when he failed to call Polenz to order for uttering these remarks.
“Polenz continued saying that the Jewish people suffered more than the Nama and the OvaHerero. In our view and knowledge, death, suffering and destruction in one place and against one group is just as painful and destructive as the suffering of the next. We fail to comprehend how Polenz as a diplomat of his stature can bring such distasteful pronouncements to such a sensitive issue,” said Hofmann.
They also warned that the consequences will be “too ghastly” to comprehend if the Namibian and German governments continue to exclude them from reparation negotiations.
Hofmann also rejected a statement by the German embassy last week that stated the controversial meeting was at her request.
According to her the meeting Polenz requested for the meeting when the committee paid a recent visit to Berlin.