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UNHCR concerned over xenophobia attacks in S. Africa

Xinhua, April 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has voiced deep concern over the continued outbreaks of xenophobia that have been occurring around the country, especially those in Durban, eastern South Africa.

The attacks have led to the displacement of many foreign families, including refugees and asylum seekers, the UNHCR said in a statement emailed to Xinhua on Tuesday.

UNHCR staff and partners have been receiving reports from refugees all around the country that they are afraid to go about their daily lives for fear of being attacked, according to the statement.

One foreign national employed as a doctor in Western Cape province told UNHCR officials that he was afraid to go to work in case something may happen to him.

UNHCR also welcomed South African government's response to the attacks.

"We welcome the public statements made by the President and senior government officials calling for an end to attacks on foreigners, including refugees and asylum seekers," said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, UNHCR's Regional Representative for Southern Africa. "UNHCR is glad to see the increased police presence and the efforts being made to try to contain the violence and looting to date and encourages them to continue with their efforts to restore peace in the affected areas."

UNHCR's partners in Durban, Refugee Social Services and Lawyers for Human Rights, have been working with local authorities to ensure that assistance and services are provided to those displaced, Nkweta-Salami said.

UNHCR has also dispatched an assessment mission to Durban on Tuesday. "The vast majority of refugees and asylum seekers on arrival in the country present themselves to the authorities and are given documents that allow them to stay legally in the country," added Nkweta-Salami. Following the events earlier this year in Soweto near Johannesburg, UNHCR together with its civil society partners have been raising their concerns with the government in a number of fora, said Nkweta-Salami.

UNHCR further urges refugees and foreign traders to abide by the laws governing the country and refrain from trying to take the law into their own hands, he said. Endi