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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Crime Has No Nationality, NiDCOM Urges End to Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa

From The Punch · (6m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) urges South Africa to protect Nigerians amid rising xenophobic attacks.
  • NiDCOM reports escalating tensions, with Nigerian children fearing school and business owners closing shops due to targeted violence.
  • The commission demands immediate safeguarding of foreign nationals, prosecution of attackers, and public condemnation of xenophobia by South African authorities.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has issued a strong appeal to the South African government, demanding urgent action to protect Nigerian citizens and other African migrants from escalating xenophobic attacks. The commission expressed deep concern that despite previous diplomatic efforts, the situation is deteriorating, with reports indicating that Nigerian children are now afraid to attend school and business owners are shutting down operations due to fear of targeted violence, looting, and harassment.

While many expected a de-escalation of tensions following earlier engagements between both governments, the situation on the ground is deteriorating.

— Abike Dabiri-ErewaChairperson/CEO of NiDCOM expressing concern over the worsening xenophobic situation in South Africa.

NiDCOM highlighted that community leaders have documented fresh incidents of violence within the past 72 hours, underscoring the immediate threat faced by the Nigerian community. The commission stressed that South Africa has a legal obligation under international law and African Union protocols to safeguard foreign nationals. It firmly rejected the profiling of Nigerians, asserting that criminal acts should be addressed on an individual basis and not used to stigmatize an entire nationality, echoing the sentiment that 'crime has no nationality.'

Crime has no nationality. Any individual, regardless of origin, who commits an offence should be investigated and made to face the full penalty of South African law.

— NiDCOM statementThe commission's rejection of profiling and emphasis on individual accountability for criminal acts.

The commission has laid out clear demands, including an increased security presence in affected areas, the prosecution of perpetrators, and the establishment of a joint Nigeria-South Africa community safety forum. Furthermore, NiDCOM urged South African authorities to publicly condemn xenophobia and promote non-discriminatory messaging. While acknowledging the peaceful coexistence with many South Africans and emphasizing the historical ties between the two nations, NiDCOM warned against collective punishment and blanket stereotyping, deeming such actions 'unacceptable and dangerous.' The commission is coordinating with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate in Johannesburg to ensure the safety, dignity, and rights of Nigerian citizens abroad.

We believe in the historical ties that bind both nations and call for calm, restraint, and respect for human life.

— NiDCOM statementAcknowledging positive relations while urging for peace and respect amidst the crisis.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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