investigation into last year's xenophobic violence
12 January 2009
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) today agreed in principle
to a request by the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa
(CORMSA) to spearhead an investigation into last year's xenophobic
violence.
In its letter of request CORMSA states that following consultations with its
members and other civil society partners, it was agreed that there was a need
for a serious public and high-level enquiry into the attacks and responses to
them. CORMSA and its partners also agreed that the commission was the best
placed institution to lead such an investigation.
While the commission acknowledges that valuable work has indeed been done
after these attacks, it is however of the view that it was not holistic and
comprehensive.
More details regarding the scope, nature and time frame of the investigation
will be announced in due course.
Issued by: South African Human Rights Commission
12 January 2009
Source: South African Human Rights Commission (http://www.sahrc.org.za)
