Africa Commission urged to intervene on xenophobia

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) and more than 100 other civil society organisations (CSOs) throughout the African continent have called on the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights to intervene on the issue of xenophobic attacks taking place in SA, notes a report in The Times. In an open letter to the African Commission‚ the 129 CSOs raise concern about the loss of lives‚ injuries and damage to private property and the dignity of non-nationals living in SA. They call on the African Commission‚ as the body responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights in the region‚ to condemn the violation of human rights in the country. They also ask the commission to call on the SA Government to take concrete steps to protect foreign nationals; provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the attacks; prosecute the perpetrators of acts of violence; and publicly condemn unequivocally comments by persons in positions of authority and influence which may amount to incitement to violence. ‘The rights to life and not to be tortured or treated in a cruel‚ inhumane or degrading manner are absolute rights which can never be compromised‚’ said Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh‚ executive director of SALC. ‘There can be no justification for violating these rights.’ SALC also sent a letter to the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) calling on it to take a strong stance against the xenophobic attacks.