America needs to address fundamental human rights issues, says South African government
This as protests continue to spark in America over the killing of George Floyd by a police officer.
The death of George Floyd, that has sparked anger in America, presents the government with an opportunity to address fundamental issues of human rights such as freedom, dignity and equality in the country.
This according to the minister of international relations and cooperation, Naledi Pandor.
Pandor said just as the people of America supported South Africa in its struggle against apartheid, South Africa too supports the calls for action to address the inadequacies highlighted by protesters of the civil society and human rights organisations in the USA.
“South Africa calls on all leaders in America to work together to end violence and to develop a set of measures that would serve to end the insecurity and harm experienced by many members of the African American community.
“Recalling the steps post-apartheid South Africa bravely undertook as part of its new constitutional dispensation we are convinced that America – a beacon of freedom for many worldwide – has the ability to directly focus on healing and peace and achieve an outcome that prioritises respect for and promotion of fundamental freedoms for all Americans.”
Pandor, however, went on to say “the violence that has characterised some of the protests seriously detracts from drawing international awareness to the legitimate concerns about violence against defenceless black people and other minorities in America.”
She called on USA’s security forces to exercise maximum restraint in responding to the anger and frustration felt by many protesters.
This as protests against police killings of African American men continue in America after Floyd was killed by a police officer who knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
The protests have been ongoing for nearly two weeks under the slogan “black lives matter”.
Awareness and protests against the killing of young African American men by police have been ongoing over the years.
Over a million Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in America while the death toll continues to climb over 108 059.
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