By DPA,
Geneva : The United Nations Special Rapporteur on racism, Doudou Diène, Friday condemned attacks on foreigners in South Africa that has left at least 56 people dead.
“I express my distress at the recent xenophobic violence targeting refugees, migrants and South African ethnic minorities in Johannesburg and surrounding townships, claiming the lives of over 40 people. I condemn these acts in the strongest terms,” he said.
He called on the government to carry out a thorough investigation into the violence to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent the spread of atrocities.
The authorities also needed to consider the root causes of the trouble.
There was a need to reassess migration policies to better integrate refugees and migrants economically, socially and culturally in South Africa.
“While the legal framework for the protection of minorities is fundamental, only a cultural and ethical approach can address the deep-rooted problems of racism and discrimination and promote long-term tolerance and living together among all communities,” he added.
That the events took place in a country that had known “the vicious implications of institutionalized racism in the form of apartheid” underlined the universality of racial discrimination and xenophobia and the need for permanent vigilance and political will, both nationally and internationally, to address these problems.