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Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter
CHAIRPERSON of the South African Human Rights Commission, Advocate Bongani Majola, yesterday conceded that some politicians in his country have issued statements that have incited violence against immigrants in the last few weeks.
Speaking at the end of a two-day regional meeting for Chairpersons of Sadc National Human Rights Institutions on violence against migrants in Southern Africa held in Harare, Adv Majola said foreigners, especially irregular migrants, have come under attack in South Africa after being accused of “stealing jobs” from locals and engaging in criminal activities.
“Regarding political rhetoric, most of the political parties are behaving very well but I must say we cannot hide the fact that there have been one or two political statements that have been made that are unfortunate and can lead people to believe that irregular migrants are a problem and that they needed to be treated differently and that makes masses believe that it is open season to attack them, to discriminate against them, to insult them and do other things.
“But we are also trying to deal with the situation and we have plans to try and have conversations with institutions such as the media because their word carries a lot of weight among members of the public and we would like to see a situation where everybody pauses to reflect on whatever they want to say so that whatever they say, it does not end up with the consequences of rights of innocent people being violated, whether they are migrants or South Africans. Everyone’s rights are important and should be respected,” he said.
Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Chairperson Mr Elasto Mugwadi said the meeting had resolved to engage Sadc Heads of State to find a solution to the treatment of immigrants in the region. “We think we will soon have engagements with Sadc member States on what we are recommending should be done in terms of existing laws, in terms of the policies that apply in terms of countries. That is what we have been doing for the past two days,” he said.
Recent events in South Africa had prompted them as sub-regional National Human Rights Institutions to advise member States of what they should do to ensure that the human rights of individuals are protected.
“When we talk of human rights, which are universal, they are supposed to be enjoyed by everyone for as long they are human beings irrespective of their status,” Mr Mugwadi said.
“We have underlined the fact that whether one is a regular, legal or irregular migrant, they are still entitled to their dignity as human beings and the right to life which is at the apex of all human rights.”
It was also important for immigrants to respect the laws of the countries hosting them.
Chairperson of the Malawi Human Rights Commission, Ms Scader Louis, said they would come up with “an action plan on what we are going to do as national human rights institutions in ensuring that the rights of migrants and our citizens are protected”.
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