With the current widespread pandemic situations, it is no surprise that countries have moved into various stages of lockdowns and emergency protocols. While a large part of our societies are adjusting to inconveniences pertaining to lack of social interaction, job security anxiety and boredom, it is time some light is shone onto those facing an added inconvenience: human rights violations.
Research has shown that during periods of unavoidable circumstances that cascade into a state of chaos and jeopardise the lives of citizens in a nation, it is often required to restrain certain liberties of the citizens. However, in the midst of the same chaos, it is also very easy to overlook the added human rights violations being placed on certain groups of people such as refugees and asylum seekers.
March 26, 2020, marked the start of a national lockdown in South Africa. The lockdown set in place has translated into an increase in national levels of hunger. While those privileged enough to tap into their savings have been able to access essential products, a large majority of the unemployed are relying on governmental aid for the same. On April 21st 2020, the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a $500 billion rand ($26 billion) package to address the huge socioeconomic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. He added that the top priorities for the relief package would be combating the virus and relieving “hunger and social distress.”
While this has definitely eased the burden on some individuals seeking aid, Amnesty International has reported that patterns of partisan food distribution are emerging across countries in Southern Africa. Additionally, Human Rights Watch has also reported that the South African government’s Covid-19 aid programs, including food parcels, have overlooked refugees and asylum seekers. This includes many members of the LGBTQ+ community who fled to South Africa to escape persecution.
33 countries within Africa criminalize adult consensual same-sex conduct. This makes South Africa a common destination for people seeking asylum from discriminatory laws and hostile social attitudes across the continent. Such undocumented migrants and asylum seekers live on the economic margins and strict lockdown measures placed by the government greatly aggravate their situation. It is thus critical that they receive the required support in such tough conditions. However, the southern Africa director at Human Rights Watch, Dewa Mavhinga says, “The government is ignoring the plight of refugees and asylum seekers currently confined in their homes and unable to work to provide for themselves.”
The government social grants or food parcels are available to only those individuals with South African identity cards and Social Security cards. Most undocumented LGBT migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers acquire employment in informal trades such as restaurants, bars, or sex work. Since these trades no longer sustain them during the lockdown, they have turned towards government aid that they are not eligible for.
At such a time, the protection of human rights holds paramount importance, more so than usual. It is important that countries remember those individuals that largely depend on their governments for basic sustenance. Society thrives when it shows compassion for those who are unable to fend for themselves alone.
If any information has been incorrectly reported, please bring it to the author's notice.
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