Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Federal Government to take legal action against the South African government before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to seek effective remedies, including adequate compensation, for Nigerian victims of xenophobic attacks in that country. A statement released yesterday by SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said: “Several Nigerians have been attacked and lost more than 21 million rand (N1.2 million) in the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa. This is unacceptable as it clearly violates the obligations of South Africa under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. These serious human rights abuses call for strong and decisive action from our government “By taking the proposed legal action against South Africa, the Federal Government will be giving Nigerians in South Africa the best parting-gift ever, while also sending a powerful message to the authorities there that Nigeria will no longer accept the inadequate response by South Africa to blatant attacks on our citizens.” As stated by reports, Nigerians had lost more than 1.2 million Rand (N21 million) in the ongoing attacks. The losses included looted shops, burnt shops; two burnt mechanic workshops, 11 burnt cars and two stolen cars, among others.
