In response to reports of the police firing rubber bullets at homeless people at the Strandfontein Sports Grounds in Cape Town this week, Shenilla Mohamed, Executive Director of Amnesty International South Africa, said:
“Amnesty International South Africa is alarmed at reports of the use of excessive force towards people who are already vulnerable, and we repeat our call, once again, that while it is urgent and important to ensure that people adhere to the lockdown, the police should not use excessive force against protesters.
“The use of excessive force is worrying. We are concerned about the government’s plans to ‘de-densify’ some informal settlements. Relocation can be very disruptive, and this at a time when social networks and community are key. We are concerned that ‘de-densification’ procedures could result in further incidents where excessive force is used, which would be devastating for the relocated communities as well as our society as a whole.
“Security forces must act within the law at all times and should adopt an educational approach, rather than using excessive force against the people, to sensitise anyone who is not complying with the rules of the lockdown, or who is being moved during ‘de-densification’.
“Every person must clearly understand why they are being moved, and this must be done sensitively with their specific needs in mind. No-one must be forcefully removed from their homes.
“Everyone is equal before the law, and should be treated as such, whether homeless, a refugee or a person living in poverty.”
Background
Amnesty International South Africa received reports that the South African Police had fired rubber bullets at homeless people at the Strandfontein Sports Grounds, Cape Town, on 7 April 2020 after they began to protest about conditions at the camp.
Minister of Human Settlements, Water & Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu announced on 6 April 2020 that areas had been identified to relocate people from high-density informal settlements in an effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is now referred to as ‘de-densification’.
The United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials among other international standards, clearly provide that law enforcement officials may only use force if other means remain ineffective or have no promise of achieving the intended result. When using force, law enforcement officials should exercise restraint and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offense and to the legitimate objective to be achieved.
For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Mienke Steytler, Media and Digital Content Officer, Amnesty International South Africa: +27 (0)64 890 9224; mienke.steytler@amnesty.org.za
