South Africa Human Rights

Human Rights Concerns

Land Reform

Reports have surfaced throughout South Africa that black commercial farmers could face eviction over the next couple months due to an inability to service government loans. State-owned Land Bank advises many black farmers on land ownership says it was losing million of Rand per year as a result of unpaid loans. The repossessions occurred after the bank lifted a moratorium on non-paying loans, which were introduced as a way for black emerging farmers to gain access in the market.

Zimbabweans in South Africa

The International Organization for Migration recently reported assisting 56 vulnerable Zimbabweans stranded in Johannesburg back to South Africa. A significant number of migrants, primarily from Zimbabwe started seeking refuge at the Central Methodist Church when violent xenophobic acts began occurring against foreigners in May 2008. According to the IOM, many Zimbabweans arrive looking for work in South Africa, but want to return as economic conditions worsen and violence increases.  For more information, visit the International Organization on Migration (IOM).

According to Human Rights Watch, The government announced on April 3, 2009, that it would hand out "special dispensation permits" to legalize Zimbabweans' stay and give them work rights and access to basic health care and education. The decision should lessen their vulnerability to violence and exploitation both in their homeland and in South Africa.

For more information, see Human Rights Watch. 

"Talk for Us Please": Limited Options Facing Individuals Displaced by Xenophobic Violence

Since Amnesty International released its report addressing the more than 700 people forcibly removed by police, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the International Organization for Migration reported repeated levels of xenophobic violence, killing at least 62 people and displacing 100,000 others. Amnesty is concerned that trends have emerged in the government’s response to this crisis, which are threatening to or have violated the rights of affected individuals, including refugees and others in need of international protection.

Amnesty International is not advocating for the permanent establishment of camps for internally displaced persons and is not opposed to ‘consolidation’ of sites provided that it is conducted in a manner consistent with international human rights and humanitarian law.

Read Amnesty's complete press statement here.  Read the full report. 

HIV and AIDS and Migrant Workers

In March, the International Organization for Migration and USAID, launched a project aimed at expanding access to HIV services for migrant workers in South Africa. These services would provide mobile clinics, financial literacy and peer education programs aimed at migrant farm workers in the northern Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. It is well documented that farm workers provide a major transitory thread in the spread of HIV. With tight living conditions, many migrant workers live hundreds of miles from family. Most workers report low condom usage, even while reporting high alcohol and drug use and engaging in transactional sex with locals in the area they are working. Addressing the needs of seasonal migrant workers is a critical step in addressing the HIV crisis throughout southern Africa. For more information,see the IOM and USAID web sites.

Document: 'I am the Lowest End of All' Rural Women Living with HIV Face Human Rights Abuses in South Africa

In response to Amnesty International’s March 2008 report, "I am the lowest end of all": Rural Women Living with HIV Face Human Rights Abuses in South Africa," Amnesty has been meeting with national Consulates, requesting action to address the human rights of rural South Africans. In its report, the organization found rural women to be disproportionately affected by poverty and unemployment as well as discriminatory attitudes and practices – particularly from male partners. Rural South African women live in an environment rife with high levels of sexual and other gender-based violence.

AI's report calls on the South African government to urgently address the needs of women with HIV in rural areas. They must intensify efforts to prevent violence against women through increased policing and prosecution, and by addressing the economic inequalities that block HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment and care. In addition, the report urges the government to widen access to health services for women in rural areas, and help them with the consequences of HIV, including safety concerns, when disclosing their status to male partners.

Read the full report.

Stand Up Against Violence Against Women in South Africa
60 percent of people living with HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa are women. In South Africa, women under 25 are 3-4 times more likely to be infected with the virus and have the highest rate of new infections. Women and girls subjected to violence are at greater risk. Many women lack access to the free health care they are legally entitled to. Ask South Africa to reduce HIV and AIDS and address gender based violence. » More actions

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