SECTOR 1 The government is also a signatory to the United Nations’ International Bill of Human Rights, but the behaviour of the state during the public workers’ strike indicates that such a document has not been internalised. During the strike, police allegedly threw teargas and shot at children with rubber bullets. Children as young as nine-years-old were arrested by the police and held in jail for two days. The police commissioner went on to state television Botswana Television (BTV), and denied these actions. “In most cases, members of parliament are not informed...until civil society takes up an issue.” Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 1.6 (2005 = n/a; 2007 = n/a; 2009 = 1.3) 1.5 Print publications are not required to obtain permission to publish from state authorities. “The point of registering is so that the government knows your address when they want to raid you.” Currently, state or privately owned print publications must be registered as companies with the General Post Office, under the Printed Publications Act. Once the MPA is in force, publications will have to be registered and accredited each year with the government, through the statutory Botswana Press Council. Failure to do so could result in a fine of P5,000 (US$765 at June 2011 rates) or three years in prison, or both. The MPA will also empower the state to shut down print publications. “It will be very difficult to register if the status quo does not agree with what you are doing… The point of registering is so that the government knows your address when they want to raid you.” AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2011 15