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StreetNet Statement on Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa
StreetNet International, the international federation of street vendor organisations with over 300 000 members in 34 organisations in 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America:
Joins COSATU, SACC, TAC, Social Movements Indaba, Abahlali Basemjondolo and other mass-based organisations of South Africans who have rallied their members against the brutal attacks against non-South African people residing in South Africa (as well as other victims of the
accompanying wave of looting and destruction of the homes of poor people).
Notes that refugees fleeing from conflicts in other African countries, and particularly our neighbour Zimbabwe, migrant workers/undocumented workers and people working in the informal economy as cross border traders in SADC countries, on the streets and in markets are the most vulnerable to xenophobia and discrimination.
Notes with extreme concern:
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the horrific and senseless attacks on defenceless families and workers in different parts of South Africa resulting in tragic loss of life, injury, homelessness, fear and wanton destruction of the property of the urban poor;
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the xenophobic attacks are repugnant to all those who cherish and respect the rights of workers both in their places of work and in the community;
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the dangers of xenophobia spreading to markets and pavements where informal economy workers from SADC countries (including South Africans) and the rest of Africa are earning a living - being cross border traders and those who are resident in South Africa's towns and cities;
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the erosion of the rights of all workers regardless of nationality, religion, language, race and gender to earn a living without fear.
Calls on government, local and national, as well as the private sector and members of the public to: -
respect and understand the United Nations Convention on Refugees and to prevent any form of discrimination against refugees who have the legal right to earn a living;
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to ensure that xenophobia is controlled through public education programmes for the police, courts and citizens to respect the rights of all who live in the country to earn their livelihoods;
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introduce and monitor laws to regulate and allow free movement between SADC countries that will create opportunities for informal traders that will help to reduce the poverty and unemployment that is alleged to be one of the causes of xenophobic prejudice and the unacceptable use of violence that we have witnessed.
StreetNet is supporting the efforts of street vendors' organisations in Durban to strengthen the initiatives of other mass-based organisations by calling a general meeting of street vendors to mobilise peaceful popular resistance against these xenophobic attacks and all forms of violence against poor people living in South Africa.
Let us honour the Freedom Charter, which says "South Africa belongs to all those who live in it".
Issued by Pat Horn
International Co-ordinator
StreetNet International