Skip to main content

Sonke Gender Justice condemns the outbreak of xenophobic violence in Gauteng

Sonke Gender Justice (Sonke) joins fellow human rights activists around the globe to condemn in the strongest possible terms the violence against non-South African individuals living and working within our borders and calls on our government to take urgent action to both protect all people in South Africa, and to prosecute strongly those perpetrating violence against others.
Sonke reminds the South African government that equality is the hard-fought for cornerstone of our democracy, and there is no space for any violence against people based on their race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation or identity, ethnicity, disability, religion or creed. “When South Africans fighting for equality were being persecuted by the Apartheid government, it was many of our neighbours in Africa who gave safe refuge to those fighting the cause of freedom,” says Sonke’s Communication Manager, Czerina Patel, “All South Africans have a responsibility to speak out against violence meted out against vulnerable or marginalised people, but also to ensure that South Africa’s international reputation as a country that embraces equality and human rights is not damaged by those who seek to oppress on the basis of difference.”
Sonke notes with sadness the tragic deaths in Soweto and Langlaagte following the looting of small businesses such as spaza shops and cafes, and where shops owned by cross-border migrants seem to be the main targets. This looting and violence draw attention to ongoing levels of xenophobia in South Africa following, in particular, the brutal deaths of at least 62 people during widespread xenophobic attacks in May 2008. The African Centre for Migration & Society at the University of Witwatersrand points out that those xenophobic attacks didn’t stop in May 2008, and that in fact more people have died in attacks against foreign nationals every year, than in 2008. Many reports cite government inaction as one reason for the continued violence.   Sonke Gender Justice condemns the outbreak of xenophobic violence in Gauteng

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mutharika declares ten districts 'disaster areas' as 23,000 Malawians are displaced by floods

The entire southern Lower Shire Valley bordering Mozambique has also been declared a 'disaster area'. Vice President Saulos Chilima, government officials and journalists Tuesday aborted a planned tour to inspect the effects of the damage in the valley because the military helicopter could not fly due to bad weather. Mutharika appealed to the international community and NGOs to assist the flood victims. He said at least 23, 000 people have been made homeless following the flooding. He said the displaced people immediately need temporary shelter, food, medicine and clothing. "Government alone cannot afford so I appeal to the international community for urgent assistance," he said. Over 20 people across the country have died following the flooding.-maravipost Mutharika declares ten districts 'disaster areas' as 23,000 Malawians are displaced by floods : Mutharika declares ten districts 'disaster areas' as 23,000 Malawians are displaced by floods
Post a Comment
Read more

Malawi coup plotter suspect Goodall Gondwe resigns as economic planning minister

Malawi coup plotter suspect Goodall Gondwe resigns as economic planning minister Dr Goodall Gondwe, who is still recuperating from high blood pressure he suffered Monday after being arrested for allegedly trying to block President Banda’s ascendency to the Office of President last April has finally resigned as economic planning and development effective Frida
Post a Comment
Read more

SA High Court orders arrest of ICC Fugitive Omar al-Bashir of Sudan

Pretoria, South Africa – On Monday 15 June 2015, a full bench of the North Gauteng High Court, comprising Judge President Dunstan Mlambo, Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba, and Judge Hans Fabricius, made an order for the arrest of the President of Sudan, Omar Al-Bashir. Immediately thereafter the State confirmed that President Bashir had been allowed to leave the country contrary to an interim order made by the High Court on Sunday 14 June. The interim order compelled the State Respondents, which included the Department of Home Affairs, to take all necessary steps to prevent President Bashir from leaving the Republic until the Court handed down a final order. President Bashir stands accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed in the Darfur region of Sudan. In the face of two arrest warrants issued by the ICC, President Bashir has evaded liability, despite the obligation on ICC state parties, like South Africa,...
Post a Comment
Read more