Formed at the beginning of the year, the Alien Rights Organisation says it is strategising to combat a variety of human rights violations especially xenophobic attitudes, incidents and unfair labour practices. Chief executive officer Walter da Costa E Silva said the ALO was putting up structures designed to manage any ugly scenes against foreigners. “Our plan of action at present is geared towards creating a network where foreigners have an umbrella organisation that can look after their needs. We also plan to set up emergency management structures where members will be able to assist each other should another crisis occur,” said Silva in a statement.
Recent strikes by workers, especially in Johannesburg where more than 20 000 people protested against the alleged lack of service delivery, were danger zones he said. According to the experience of the ARO, xenophobic violence surfaces when people are angry. The SA authorities are being accused of having done little or nothing to quell the violence in the past or to prevent future occurrences. “We believe xenophobia is a powder keg waiting to blow. The continuing service delivery protests are something we will monitor. It’s quite possible that further attacks will occur,” Silva said. The ARO is also fighting include the legal status of foreigners and has demanded a total review of the refugee/asylum document system.