Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05GABORONE1045
2005-07-29 06:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Gaborone
Cable title:
COURT DISMISSES DEPORTED PROF'S APPEAL
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 290620Z Jul 05 ACTION AF-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00 DS-00 EB-00 UTED-00 VC-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 DCP-00 NSAE-00 OIC-00 PA-00 GIWI-00 PRS-00 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 FMP-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 G-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /001W ------------------1D9504 290636Z /38 FM AMEMBASSY GABORONE TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2304 INFO SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS GABORONE 001045
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
AF/S FOR MUNCY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV BC
SUBJECT: COURT DISMISSES DEPORTED PROF'S APPEAL
REFERENCE: GABORONE 738
UNCLAS GABORONE 001045
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
AF/S FOR MUNCY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV BC
SUBJECT: COURT DISMISSES DEPORTED PROF'S APPEAL
REFERENCE: GABORONE 738
1. (U) Botswana's Court of Appeal dismissed on July 27 the
case of Australian citizen and former University of Botswana
Professor Kenneth Good who was declared a prohibited immigrant
on February 18, 2005. President Mogae decided to deport Good
on the grounds that he posed a threat to national security.
After securing a stay against his deportation order, Good
unsuccessfully challenged the decision as unconstitutional and
was removed from the country on May 31 (reftel). The Court of
Appeal found that provisions in Botswana's Immigration Act
exempting the President from having to provide reasons to
declare an alien a prohibited immigrant did not violate
Botswana's constitution as Good's attorneys had argued.
2. (U) The Court's verdict, however, also admonished the
Government to amend its laws to conform to its international
commitments. Representatives for Good had argued that the
Government had signed various international instruments which
would have protected Good from deportation. However, Article
13 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which
requires that one receive a hearing before being declared an
illegal immigrant, allows for an exception where "compelling
reasons of national security" exist. The GOB cited such
reasons in explaining its action.
3. (U) According to Joao Salbany, a member of Good's legal
team, they intend to pursue the matter with the African
Commission on Human Rights.
4. (SBU) Comment: The saga of Prof. Good's deportation has
tarnished the GOB's record as a relatively liberal democracy
that tolerates dissent. Any notoriety Good has enjoyed
resulted directly from the Government's decision to deport
him. The assertion that he posed a threat to national
security was dubious at best. The incident confirmed,
however, the independence -- and conservatism -- of the
judiciary in Botswana.
AROIAN
NNNN
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
AF/S FOR MUNCY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV BC
SUBJECT: COURT DISMISSES DEPORTED PROF'S APPEAL
REFERENCE: GABORONE 738
1. (U) Botswana's Court of Appeal dismissed on July 27 the
case of Australian citizen and former University of Botswana
Professor Kenneth Good who was declared a prohibited immigrant
on February 18, 2005. President Mogae decided to deport Good
on the grounds that he posed a threat to national security.
After securing a stay against his deportation order, Good
unsuccessfully challenged the decision as unconstitutional and
was removed from the country on May 31 (reftel). The Court of
Appeal found that provisions in Botswana's Immigration Act
exempting the President from having to provide reasons to
declare an alien a prohibited immigrant did not violate
Botswana's constitution as Good's attorneys had argued.
2. (U) The Court's verdict, however, also admonished the
Government to amend its laws to conform to its international
commitments. Representatives for Good had argued that the
Government had signed various international instruments which
would have protected Good from deportation. However, Article
13 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which
requires that one receive a hearing before being declared an
illegal immigrant, allows for an exception where "compelling
reasons of national security" exist. The GOB cited such
reasons in explaining its action.
3. (U) According to Joao Salbany, a member of Good's legal
team, they intend to pursue the matter with the African
Commission on Human Rights.
4. (SBU) Comment: The saga of Prof. Good's deportation has
tarnished the GOB's record as a relatively liberal democracy
that tolerates dissent. Any notoriety Good has enjoyed
resulted directly from the Government's decision to deport
him. The assertion that he posed a threat to national
security was dubious at best. The incident confirmed,
however, the independence -- and conservatism -- of the
judiciary in Botswana.
AROIAN
NNNN