PRETORIA, South Africa — Amid escalating xenophobic violence in South Africa, the UN Human Rights Office has issued an urgent plea for calm and the protection of foreign nationals, specifically warning against threats surrounding a looming June 30 deadline.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently took to social media to denounce the hostility, labeling the nation’s shift toward intolerance a tragic betrayal of its historic fight for freedom and independence. He specifically highlighted the profound disservice to the unity African countries displayed while standing in solidarity against apartheid.
Echoing these sentiments from Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani, the chief spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, detailed the organization’s deep concern over the surge in attacks and hate speech. She noted that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights recently briefed the Human Rights Council in Geneva, identifying poverty and systemic inequality as the root causes fueling social friction and violence against refugees and migrants. Shamdasani expressed confidence that the state will honor its commitment to placing human rights at the core of its crisis management strategy.
While operating internationally, the UN maintains a dedicated local branch to monitor the crisis and assist authorities. Shamdasani highlighted a recent fact-finding mission to KwaZulu province aimed at bolstering the official response. She added that international rights mechanisms have long advised the government on curbing anti-foreigner rhetoric and tackling the foundational socioeconomic triggers—such as education, employment, and resource access—that spark these conflicts.
Addressing the ongoing deportations, the UN spokesperson clarified that an irregular immigration status does not strip individuals of their fundamental dignity. She stressed that the state retains the obligation to protect all individuals within its borders, ensuring they are shielded from crime and have full access to justice. At the same time, she acknowledged that the severe economic hardships faced by local communities require urgent and genuine intervention.
The complexity of the crisis was illustrated by a recent incident in Durban, where roughly 400 individuals were stranded outside a Home Affairs facility as riots broke out last month. Shockingly, only about three were found to be in the country illegally. The remainder were legal residents who were trapped: they faced violent threats if they returned to their neighborhoods, yet they were unable to return to their home countries.
Despite this, government ministers have firmly stated they will not establish refugee camps or centers, arguing that doing so would incorrectly place the burden of responsibility on the state. Responding to this stance, Shamdasani pointed out that migration management is a global challenge. She drew parallels to Europe, where nations also grapple with large migrant populations and a demand for foreign labor, yet struggle with a lack of secure, legal migration routes. She advocated for establishing safe, regular pathways to eliminate the need for irregular travel.
Regardless of whether individuals are documented or not, the UN insists they must be shielded from harm. Shamdasani emphasized that entire communities should never be targeted by hate speech simply because of the actions or status of a few.
This plea for peace comes as groups organizing anti-illegal immigration marches have set a strict June 30 cutoff, suggesting they cannot guarantee the safety or legal standing of foreign nationals beyond that date. In response, the UN implored all factions to reject vigilantism and incitement, noting that such behavior violates both domestic and international statutes, as well as basic human decency.
Shamdasani concluded by urging state leaders to intensify their efforts to foster social cohesion. She called for robust public campaigns to deter violence and ensure that vulnerable communities receive the protection they desperately need.