Solidarity message for Breaking the Wall of Silence in Namibia

The staff of Aim for human rights and its programme Linking Solidarity, wishes to express their condolences to the family and friends of Reinhard Kala Gertze who suddenly passed away due to an asthma attack on the 13th of March. Amongst others he was parliamentarian in the Namibian Parliament and founding Secretary and Chairperson of Breaking the Wall of Silence, an organisation of survivors and families of victims of disappearances. We particularly want to express our solidarity with all those working for Breaking the Wall of Silence.

As a survivor Reinhard Kala Gertze was an outspoken proponent of human rights. Reinhard Kala Gertze was the founding Secretary and Chairperson of Breaking the Wall of Silence, and as such he has been an important voice for survivors and families of victims of gross human rights violations, including many families of disappeared SWAPO detainees.

Breaking the Wall of Silence is an organisation of former SWAPO detainees, survivors of human rights violations, and families of SWAPO detainees who are still disappeared. By asking for the truth regarding unanswered gross human rights violations by SWAPO, Breaking the Walls of Silence is striving for unity of the people of Namibia through true reconciliation.

We want to express our solidarity with all those involved in Breaking the Wall of Silence in this difficult time. We realise that the sudden death of Reinhard Kala Gertze is a great loss to the organisation. However, the courage of Reinhard Kala Gertze will certainly serve as an important example. By continuing to represent the survivors and families of the victims we are sure Reinhard Kala Gertze’s memory will be kept alive.

Aim for human rights and Linking Solidarity have great admiration for all those in Breaking the Wall of Silence who have refused to surrender and do not accept the fate they are undergoing. Your commitment and tenacity are an inspiration to many other survivors and families in many parts of the world.