In 1905, a law was issued in this country prohibiting mixed marriage. In 1996, the National Assembly approved the Married Persons Equality Act. Namibia today devotes around 30 percent of the national budget to education - one of the highest rates in the world. Ladies and Gentlemen, It was here in Windhoek, some four years ago now, that the role of freedom of expression in democracy-building was recognized. The Pan-African journalists and media meeting here in Namibia adopted a Declaration which made it very clear that without freedom of expression, without freedom of speech, without freedom of the press, there is no democracy.
Freedom of expression is absolutely essential.
Many countries have the rule of law. But for law to be just, we need freedom of expression without any restriction. It was here in Windhoek, Namibia that the 3rd of May was declared World Press Freedom Day. We are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This Declaration is our treasure, our common treasure.