Xenophobia as a human right violation in south africa

JOHANNESBURG: Victims of the world's worst listeriosis outbreak in South Africa will be invited to sue the owner of the factory named as the source, a human rights lawyer said on Sunday (Mar 11). Attorney Richard Spoor confirmed that his firm would file a class action suit against Tiger Brands whose facility was last weekend officially revealed to be the origin of the listeria epidemic that has claimed 180 lives. He predicted that, if the litigation is successful, damages of tens of millions of dollars could be awarded to victims and the families of those killed. Since January 2017, 948 people in South Africa have contracted listeriosis, a disease caused by bacteria which can contaminate fresh food, notably meat. Several countries across Africa have imposed restrictions on South African meat imports in response to the crisis. Health officials say the source of the outbreak was an Enterprise Food plant, owned by Tiger Brands, 300 kilometres northeast of the South African … [Read more...] about South Africa lawyers plan to sue food company over listeria

MANILA, Philippines — Sixty-two human rights and civil society organizations called on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to create an independent international investigation mechanism into alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and other “serious” human rights violations in the Philippines under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. In a joint letter dated August 27, the groups expressed “continued grave concern over ongoing extrajudicial executions and other serious human rights violations in the context of the ‘war on drugs’ in the Philippines.” The groups noted that these violations “continue to be fueled by incitement to violence and discrimination by the highest levels of government with near-total impunity.” “We urge your delegation to ensure that the United Nations Human Rights Council responds robustly to the recent report on the situation in the Philippines by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights when it convenes for its upcoming 45th … [Read more...] about 62 groups urge UNHRC to act on EJKs, rights violations in PH

PHNOM PENH: The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia called on the government on Wednesday (Mar 14) to “choose the path of human rights”, while expressing serious concerns about restrictions on the media, freedom of expression and political participation ahead of a national election in July. “Cambodia is at an important crossroads and must embrace human rights as they are indispensable in sustaining hard-earned peace and development,” Rhona Smith said after a 10-day visit to the kingdom. Smith held talks with several high-ranking officials during what was her fifth official visit to Cambodia. Among the officials included National Assembly president Heng Samrin and Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng. In a news release issued on Wednesday, Smith said restricting the voice of Cambodians could threaten the stability that the government and the people have worked hard to build. She expressed concerns about restrictions on the media, local radio stations and … [Read more...] about UN expert calls on Cambodian government to ‘choose path of human rights’

I had never been so keenly aware of my diminutive size or physical vulnerability until my trip to South Africa. My friend and I were at the end of an evening safari game drive in wintry July, feeling mildly fatigued from a day out in the African wilderness, when we suddenly came upon a majestic bull elephant. He stood close by, towering over us. My heart stopped. Although I was thrilled to see my favourite animal in his natural environment, bull elephants are known to charge vehicles, and I really didn’t want to become known as the Singaporean woman who got squashed by an elephant. Luckily, the big boy, who was in his 30s by our guide’s estimates, didn’t seem put out by our presence. He glided slowly past us – only about a metre away from our jeep – putting one hefty foot in front of the other, chomping casually on grass, his magnificent ears flapping in the wind. He fixed his eyes on us, as if to say, “I am King, and I may be having lunch now, but I could have you if I … [Read more...] about Chasing lions, leopards and elephants in South Africa – for less than you’d think

PHNOM PENH: The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Cambodia does not have proper understanding of the country when it comes to human rights, according to the head of the country’s government rights body. Keo Remy, the head of Cambodian Human Rights Committee said the UN’s Rhona Smith, currently on a 10-day fact finding mission, will “one day” understand the government’s actions on freedom of expression and other human rights issues. “Now, she misunderstands the government but one day she will have the right understanding. She will understand that the government has done things correctly,” he said, following a meeting with Ms Smith in Phnom Penh on Wednesday (Mar 7). Ms Smith had raised concerns about recent amendments to the constitution and criminal code, including the introduction of a new national lese majeste provision. The two parties talks had been agreeable, Mr Keo said, but they could not find common points and he refuted that any law changes were anything different … [Read more...] about UN ‘misunderstands’ Cambodia’s human rights reality