Rights groups urge South Africa to combat xenophobia

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - Human rights groups have appealed to the South African government to increase its commitment in the fight against anti-immigrant violence which has been plaguing parts of the country as of late.

In a statement released Thursday to mark Africa Day, about a dozen rights groups called on the government to promote social cohesion between citizens and foreigners in order to eliminate xenophobia against migrants.

Shenilla Mohamed, executive director of Amnesty International South Africa said: “Often, African refugees and migrants suffer human rights abuses in South Africa because of who they are and what they look like without consequence for the perpetrators.”

In February, residents of the capital Pretoria took to the streets protesting crime, unemployment and poverty which they blamed on African migrants in the country.

Their protests turned violent and homes of migrants, especially Nigerians, were burned down. Shops were also looted amid accusations of involvement in crime and taking local jobs.

“Poverty cannot be used to justify murder and human rights violations of African refugees and migrants in South Africa,” Thifulufheli Sinthumule, advocacy officer for the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa, said in a statement.

Sinthumule urged authorities to ensure that the law apply to all, including refugees and migrants, as guaranteed by the constitution.

The South African government will today join the rest of the continent in commemorating Africa Day which is marked every year on May 25 since the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in Ethiopia, now known as the African Union (AU).

South Africa joined the OAU on May 23 1994, after it rid itself of the apartheid regime.

Anti-immigrant violence has been common in South Africa. In 2008, about 60 migrants lost their lives during such violence. In 2015, seven people also lost their lives in renewed violence that left hundreds displaced from their homes and businesses.

South Africa is host to tens of thousands of refugees and migrants from across Africa and other parts of the world.

In March, South Africa’s foreign minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane told reporters in Pretoria, following talks with her Nigerian counterpart, Geoffrey Onyeama, that the government was in control of the situation.

"Several interventions including meetings with the diplomatic community, security operations, policy and legislation reviews are taking place," she said.

A senior government official, who preferred to speak on condition of anonymity, also confirmed to Anadolu Agency Thursday that security agencies were on high alert to contain any attacks on foreigners.