Experts in the United Nations have warned against targeted attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa may become worse.
In a statement released on Friday, the rights experts said “Operation Dudula” is an example of how hate is being projected to foreign nationals in South Africa.
Operation Dudula, which has seen attacks on Zimbabweans, Nigerians and other foreign nationals dubbed illegal in South Africa has been condemned by the South African government.
The UN experts known as Special Rapporteurs warned that there are problems ahead if the situation isn’t followed up with drastic actions.
“Anti-migrant discourse from senior government officials has fanned the flames of violence, and government actors have failed to prevent further violence or hold perpetrators accountable, ” the experts said.
“Without urgent action from the government of South Africa to curb the scapegoating of migrants and refugees, and the widespread violence and intimidation against these groups, we are deeply concerned that the country is on the precipice of explosive violence,” the group continued.
The experts added that there are racial undertones to the attacks on other nationals as low-income foreign nationals who are blacks are usually the victims of such attacks.
“The cost in human dignity and lives, particularly in light of the past 30 years of xenophobic violence, remains widespread and deeply troubling,” the experts said.
“We are gravely concerned that South Africa is not meeting its positive obligations to protect and promote human rights while preventing racial and xenophobic discrimination,” they said.
“At the same time, perpetrators enjoy widespread impunity for xenophobic rhetoric and violence, leading to a lack of accountability for serious human rights violations and the flourishing of racist and xenophobic political platforms.”