The Global Forum
for Human Rights and Sustainable Development, a non-profit and non-governmental organization has condemned the
attacks and the killing innocent Nigerians and other foreign nationals residing
in South Africa in the recent violent Xenophobic attacks in the country.
The organization, in a
press statement issued by its General Secretary, Keshinro Morenike Kaosarat and
made available to the journalists described the act as reckless, barbaric and
condemnable.
''It is very sad and
disheartening that the lives of Nigerians and other nationals residing in South
Africa are being wasted with such carelessness and recklessness'', she stated
adding that according to United Nations declaration, "everyone has the
right to freedom of movement and residence within borders of each state".
She harped that other
Nationals of any country have right to live in any country of his or her
choice, saying South Africans should stop the dastard attacks against Nigerians
and others who live, work and reside in South Africa. While accusing the South
African government and its security agencies for tactically supporting their
citizens in the evil act, the organisation's scribe pointed out that ''up till
now, nothing has been done by the South African government as regards to the
interview granted by the former Deputy Minister of Police, Bongani Mkongi,
where he incited South African citizens against other foreign nationals
residing in South Africa''.
Bongani was quoted as
saying: 'How can a city (Hilbrow) in South Africa be 80% foreign Nationals?
That is dangerous, we have surrendered our city to foreign Nationals. There is
nowhere in the world where you have 80% foreign nationals domiciled in a city. You won't find South
Africans in other countries dominating a city into 80%. This is a sign of taken
over power and in future, you may have foreign national as your President. It's
not Xenophobic, to talk true but a matter of principle. We fought for it."
''Despite the fact
South African government promised to sanction him. This has been swept under
the rug. The South African Government is not clean, they giving them
support.
This is not the
ideology and the principle laid down by Iconic Dr. Nelson Mandela. This is not
the practice in the United States of America, Canada, United kingdom and other
countries'', the statement added.
She therefore, tasks
Nigerian government to be proactive in defending the rights of their citizens
in any part of the world. ''Our government has not done enough, there are a lot
of steps to be taken to put a total stop to this wanton attacks and killings.”
In 2012, during the
former President Goodluck Jonathan regime, South Africa
deported 125 Nigerians
over allegations that they were "bringing yellow fever to South Africa
". The Nigerian government immediately deported 80 South Africans back and
blocked off entry for other South Africans trying to get into Nigeria, telling
them that South Africa has a HIV problem and Nigeria could not afford to have
them over here. In less than a week the South African government apologised to
Nigeria over the incident.
Morenike, however
appeals to Nigerian Youths to remain calm and not to destroy the South African
investments in Nigeria, explaining that doing so will amount to anarchy and
this may result in unemployment on the part of those who were gainfully
employed by these companies
No comments:
Post a Comment