By publishing the Braamfontein Statement, we wish to urge more individuals and sectors to acknowledge their responsibility in combating xenophobia and to push forward the long-term process of its eradication. The movement of people within and across boundaries of states and communities has become a feature of modern societies. In the global society, states can no longer live in isolation from one another. The movement of people across boundaries has caused and continues to cause problems between nationals of recipient states and non-nationals because of competition for scarce resources, ignorance and prejudice. For states, migration raises questions of security, economic management and sovereignty.
Xenophobia is the deep dislike of non-nationals by nationals of a recipient state.
Its manifestation is a violation of human rights. South Africa needs to send out a strong message that an irrational prejudice and hostility towards non-nationals is not acceptable under any circumstances. Criminal behaviour towards foreigners cannot be tolerated in a democratic society. These are the rights to equality, human dignity, the right to life, freedom and security of the person, and the right not to be subject to slavery, servitude or forced labour. Our international obligations have both a legal and a moral force.