Concern about anti-LGBT violence as SA marks Human Rights Day
David Olyne, 23, was beaten, stoned and set on fire in March 2014 for being a “moffie”
As South Africa prepares to mark Human Rights Day on Saturday, two groups have expressed their concern about the growing climate of violence in the country.
The Hate Crimes Working Group and Peace Action said in a statement that “frequent and vicious outbreaks of xenophobic violence, violence against women and violence against the LGBTQI community, to name a few, are threatening the security of all who live in South Africa.”
Human Rights Day in South Africa, celebrated annually on 21 March, the anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre, is a day for South Africans to remember the importance of equality and dignity as a cornerstone of human rights.
“The increasing levels of intolerance and anger, expressed violently, have a devastating impact on those who are most vulnerable and marginalised in society – such as women, children, LGBTQI, foreigners and the destitute,” the groups said.
They accused the government of failing “to adequately respond to these incidents and do the work necessary to prevent continued incidences of xenophobic violence, and to create a safe environment for non-South Africans living in South Africa.”
Disebo “Gift” Makau, 24, was raped, strangled and had a running hosepipe shoved down her throat in August 2014.
A “hate crime” is usually a violent, prejudice-motivated crime that occurs when a perpetrator targets a victim because of his or her perceived membership in a certain social group.
“On Human Rights Day in South Africa, we call on the government to take concrete action to address and combat xenophobia and other hate crimes (such as crimes against LGBQTI people)…” said the organisations
They also urged “all who live in South Africa to pledge themselves to respect the dignity, equality, security and freedom of all people, and to take a stand against hate crimes perpetrated in our country, today and every day.”
The statement was endorsed by Amnesty International (Southern Africa); Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CoRMSA); Gay and Lesbian Network; OUT; Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town; Sonke Gender Justice; South African Jewish Board of Deputies; Sweat; Triangle Project; and The Women’s Legal Centre.
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