Government abuses are suggestive of state xenophobia

13 May 2015 - 02:22 By The Times Editorial

Under cover of darkness, law enforcement agencies have rounded up hundreds of immigrants, mainly Africans, without any consideration for their human rights and dignity. The police kicked down doors and arrested mothers and children in shelters across Johannesburg.In a joint operation by the police, army and Home Affairs officials, 500 foreigners at the Central Methodist Church, in the Johannesburg CBD, were herded out and taken to a nearby police station.President Jacob Zuma ordered the army to help the police quell the xenophobic violence in which hundreds of immigrants were chased from their homes and businesses.More African immigrants are being targeted and their basic human rights violated in Operation Fiela ("sweep" in Sotho).Yesterday, Lawyers For Human Rights secured a court order prohibiting for two weeks the repatriation of the hundreds of foreigners arrested in the raid on the Methodist Church last week. The court also ordered that Lawyers For Human Rights be given access to all those arrested, their identities, their present location and the reasons for their arrest.If Zuma's operation was indeed meant to bring peace to xenophobia hot spots, why are we not seeing more arrests of South Africans who took part in the violence and looting of foreigner-owned shops?The government cannot appease disgruntled South Africans by targeting African immigrants. When the decision was taken to bring in the army to help deal with xenophobic violence, we warned that the state should not abuse its power.Today our fears are becoming a reality as hundreds of African immigrants are targeted and forced to show their "papers".Now we call on Zuma to remember that South Africa is a constitutional democracy, and that everyone in our country, illegally or not, deserves protection from abuse by the state...

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