Addressing the Emerging Issues of Xenophobic Attack and Human Rights Violations in South Africa: Adopting a Human Rights-Based Approach

Abstract

Human Rights abuses in South Africa occasioned by xenophobic attacks in South Africa had occurred intermittently for over a decade despite the hue and cry against xenophobia. Driven primarily by efforts to protect human life and overcome the challenges of xenophobia, some international human rights organisations expressed their views on the curtailment of human rights abuses perpetrated in South Africa. Contextually, South- Africa has notable human rights organisations, yet human rights abuses happen through xenophobic attacks in some parts of the country. The primary objective of this paper is to identify human rights challenges brought about by xenophobic attacks, including the right to human dignity and the right to life. This methodology adopted in this paper included reference to statutes, internet sources, and newspaper publications. This paper finds, amongst others, that despite the United Nations conventions and other international laws guaranteeing the human rights of all persons, the South African government appeared overwhelmed by the xenophobic attacks in dealing with the situation. This paper made useful recommendations towards preventing future xenophobic attacks and avoiding human rights violations.