Primary Sources
Resources / Primary Sources
Primary Sources on Namibia’s Past
Here you will find scans of and/or links to official documents relating to Namibia’s past or to the dialogue about Namibia’s past. Primary sources are first-hand statements in written, printed or electronic form that provide information or evidence or serve as official records.
This list is a work in progress. You are welcome to suggest additions. Please include the author(s) and title of the document and where it can be found – preferably by providing a link. We will need some time to review your proposal. If it does not meet our criteria or guidelines, it will not be published.
The sources listed have been researched with the greatest possible care. External links were checked at the time of publication. Please inform us if an external link no longer leads to the specified source.
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Namibian Judiciary (07-10-2024): High Court – Ruling on request for documents on negotiations on Joint Declaration
High Court ruling on the request for documents concerning the negotiations on the Joint Declaration Summary by the High Court: "This is an interlocutory application by the applicants ancillary to their pending review application (against...
Namibian Parliament (30-11-2021): National Assembly – Debate on the Joint Declaration with Germany
Debate on the Joint Declaration with Germany in the National Assembly of Namibia on 30 November 2021. Recording of the live broadcast of the debate on the Facebook page of the Parliament of the Republic of Namibia (last checked in June...
Namibian Parliament (26-10-2006): National Assembly – Motion on the OvaHerero Genocide
Motion on the OvaHerero Genocide Tabled in the National Assembly of Namibia by Kuaima Riruako, Member of Parliament and Chief of the OvaHerero, on 26 September 2006 and adopted by the National Assembly on 26 October 2006 (source:...
Lothar von Trotha in Deutsch-Südwestafrika, 1904–1905. Tagebuch, Fotoalbum. Häussler, Matthias; Eckl, Andreas (Hrsg.) (2024)
Lothar von Trotha in Deutsch-Südwestafrika, 1904–1905. Band I: Das Tagebuch. Band II: Das Fotoalbum. Matthias Häussler and Andreas Eckl (Hrsg.), Berlin, Boston 2024 Diary and photo album of Lieutenant General Lotha von Trotha, who was...
United Nations (25-03-2026): General Assembly Declares Enslavement of Africans ‘Gravest Crime against Humanity’, Debates Legal Implications
General Assembly Declares Enslavement of Africans 'Gravest Crime against Humanity', Debates Legal Implications Eightieth Session, 75th Meeting (AM) GA/12755 25 March 2026 "The General Assembly today declared the trafficking of enslaved...
United Nations (26-01-2024): ICJ – Order in genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel regarding occupied Palestine
Order of the UN ICJ in the case brought by South Africa against Israel for alleged genocide in the occupied Palestinian territories The United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) pronounced its order in the case no 192 brought by...
United Nations (23-02-2023): OHCHR – Joint Communication Special Rapporteurs Joint Declaration
Joint Communication of Special Rapporteurs of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Communication to the Governments of Germany and Namibia on the alleged lack of meaningful participation of the...
United Nations (27-03-2002): General Assembly Adopts Declaration, Programme of Action of Durban World Conference Against Racism
"General Assembly adopts Declaration, Programme of Action of Durban World Conference Against Racism 27 March 2002, Press Release GA/10012 Fifty-sixth General Assembly Plenary, 97th Meeting (PM) "Following recorded vote, General Assembly...
United Nations (08-09-2001): World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
"World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance 31 August - 7 September 2001, Durban Background A comprehensive framework In 1997, the General Assembly decided to hold the World Conference...
United Nations (09-12-1948): General Assembly – Genocide Convention
"Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide Approved and proposed for signature and ratification or accession by General Assembly resolution 260 A (III) of 9 December 1948 Entry into force: 12 January 1951, in...
US Government (25-10-2024): President Biden apologizes for forced Native American boarding school policy
US Government: President Biden apologizes for forced Native American boarding school policy Video recording of US President Biden's speech at Gila Crossing School near Phoenix, recorded and published unabridged by US broadcaster NBC News....