South Africa: Stop the murders, detentions and threats against shack dwellers

Publish Date: 
Thursday, October 10, 2013

On 10 October, 2013, ESCR-Net sent an Urgent Action appeal in response to the recent murders, arbitrary detentions, intimidation and threats against leaders of the shack-dweller movement and ESCR-Net member, Abahlali baseMjondolo.

The letter expresses the Network's collective rejection of the use of violence against members of Abahlali baseMjondolo  in response to their actions to resist forcible evictions and home demolitions in the Cato Crest shack settlement in Durban. It reminds the Government of South Africa of its human rights obligations, calling for a full, independent and impartial investigation into the three murders; effective protection of leaders of Abahlali baseMjondolo and the immediate release of all human rights defenders who have been detained. The letter also calls on the South African government to stop all illegal forced evictions taking place in Cato Crest and other settlements of South Africa and ensure that the right to adequate housing and right to life for South Africa’s shack dwellers are guaranteed and protected.

See the complete letter here