20
April 2015 - The Electoral Commission condemns the wave of xenophobic attacks
against foreign nationals in the strongest terms and urges all South Africans
to hold true to our Constitutional values.
The
foundation of our democracy is built on the bedrock of respect for all people.
The opening paragraph of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution reads: “This
Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa. It enshrines the
rights of all people in our country and affairs the democratic values of human
dignity, equality and freedom.”
It
is shameful for us as a nation to witness these vicious and unwarranted attacks
on the lives and property of fellow human beings and fellow Africans.
As
we approach our 21st anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic
elections in a week’s time, we should be reminded that it was not so very long
that many of our own people were forced to flee this country due to oppression
and to take refuge in neighbouring and other African countries.
These
friends of freedom, often at great risk to themselves, gave our leaders and
others who were persecuted in their own country sanctuary and safe passage.
Without the support and help of our fellow Africans, freedom may have taken
even longer to arrive in our country.
We
urge all South Africans to speak out against xenophobia and discrimination of
any kind and to reaffirm our support for democratic values and the Bill of
Rights.
ISSUED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Ensuring free, fair and credible elections
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