For Immediate Release

Press Release June 2, 2008

The Secretariat of African Decade of Persons with Disabilities (SADPD) condemns the spate of violence and hate meted out on foreign nationals in the past two weeks. The action taken by South Africans against their very own was not only embarrassing to the nation but a gross violation of human rights.

Disabled persons were among minority groups that bore the brunt of the violence due to their immobility. It is quite unfortunate to have able bodied human beings run around with machetes to kill with impunity of unimaginable levels.

The secretariat calls on the government to indict perpetrators of the mob killings and be tried in a court of law. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities prohibits discrimination in all areas of life. It demands respect for life, the right to live in the community and equal opportunities for all.

South Africa is among eight African countries that have ratified the UNCRPD and their rights must be guarded zealously. Actions that contravene the laws of the land must be condemned.

The secretariat calls on the police department to be more vigilant in arresting and curbing the attacks that are a disgrace to other South African Nationals who respect life and care about persons with disabilities.

Killing people will definitely not put food on the table. Instead disgruntled elements who view foreigners as the source of their poverty and joblessness, must find a solution to their insecurities. “Don’t kill disabled people! They have a right to life”.

AK Dube
C.E.O, Secretariat of African Decade of Persons with Disabilities

Tel: 021-426 5858
Email: info@africandecade.co.za or jane@africadecade.co.za
Address: 8 Burg St, 10^th Floor the Pinnacle Building, Cape Town 8000, South Africa.

For more information, visit www.africandecade.org.za, and click on the Secretariat.