and, a comparison of xenophobias, South Africa and Hungary
On April 27 2015 approximately 20 people gathered and marched to protest against recent xenophobic violence in South Africa. The Mahatma Gandhi Human Rights Organization (Mahatma Gandhi Emberi Jogi Egyesület) protesters walked from Budapest's Blaha Lujza square in Pest to the South African embassy in the hills of Buda to protest the violent attacks on migrant workers in South Africa.
On April 27 2015 approximately 20 people gathered and marched to protest against recent xenophobic violence in South Africa. The Mahatma Gandhi Human Rights Organization (Mahatma Gandhi Emberi Jogi Egyesület) protesters walked from Budapest's Blaha Lujza square in Pest to the South African embassy in the hills of Buda to protest the violent attacks on migrant workers in South Africa.
Some members of the Budapest based The Mahatma Gandhi Human Rights Organization
before marching to the South African embassy
before marching to the South African embassy
Mr Gibril Deen, the president of the 22+ year old Hungarian organization, said some South African citizens have scapegoated foreigner migrants from neighboring countries. 'Today South Africa is in an economic crisis and foreigners are used as a target by some people, already more than 50 foreigners have been killed'.
While the marchers were few in number they were strong in spirit, and mostly consisting of migrants from Africa who have made Hungary their new home. These citizens and residents of Hungary expressed their solidarity with the victims of the recent attacks by handing in a petition to the South African Ambassador to Hungary, demanding better protection of migrants. The petition stated, among other complaints, that the South African 'government only 'belatedly took some actions to quell this problem.'
This is not the first time this organization has addressed human rights issues abroad. Last summer they organized a march from Szabadsag square to the Nigerian embassy, connecting to the global #BringBackOurGirls campaign (see the MigSzol video below) reacting to the Boko Haram kidnapping of Nigerian schoolgirls.
While the marchers were few in number they were strong in spirit, and mostly consisting of migrants from Africa who have made Hungary their new home. These citizens and residents of Hungary expressed their solidarity with the victims of the recent attacks by handing in a petition to the South African Ambassador to Hungary, demanding better protection of migrants. The petition stated, among other complaints, that the South African 'government only 'belatedly took some actions to quell this problem.'
This is not the first time this organization has addressed human rights issues abroad. Last summer they organized a march from Szabadsag square to the Nigerian embassy, connecting to the global #BringBackOurGirls campaign (see the MigSzol video below) reacting to the Boko Haram kidnapping of Nigerian schoolgirls.
The group does not only engage in protest about African issues, however - it also organizes football matches in Hungary between Hungarians and its own football team, called the ‘African Stars’, whose members are asylum seekers, refugees and Hungarians.
Different countries, different political reactions and agendas
It is interesting that while both South Africa and Hungary face the problem of xenophobic threats and attacks, each government has reacted in different ways.
While in South Africa the government is mostly reacting to a bad situation where citizens are scapegoating foreigners because of a poor economy, in Hungary the government is inciting xenophobia and racism to distract people from its own failure to solve social problems.
Different countries, different political reactions and agendas
It is interesting that while both South Africa and Hungary face the problem of xenophobic threats and attacks, each government has reacted in different ways.
While in South Africa the government is mostly reacting to a bad situation where citizens are scapegoating foreigners because of a poor economy, in Hungary the government is inciting xenophobia and racism to distract people from its own failure to solve social problems.
Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress Party
publishes Facebook meme attacking South African xenophobia
publishes Facebook meme attacking South African xenophobia
South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has faced criticism at home for not doing enough to prevent the violence, however he did recently state:
'We appreciate the contribution of foreign nationals in South Africa. They contribute to our economic development by investing in the economy, bringing critical skills and through adding to the diversity that we pride ourselves in.'
Yet in a stark contrast, this year Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared he wants ‘to keep Hungary as Hungary’ and has called for a 'National Consultation' to support his new proposed rules and laws against foreigners, refugees and migrants. While the South African government vocally and actively opposes xenophobia and discrimination, the Hungarian government is currently engaged in a campaign that, MigSzol believes, is deliberately provoking it.
We have already seen the racist and xenophobic graffiti that has spread in Budapest against the Kosovar migrants that came through Hungary earlier this year [link] - including graffiti demanding that they be killed.
We can only imagine what could happen during the Fidesz government's 'National Consultation' when it is asking in postal mails Hungarian citizens loaded and biased questions such as:
We have already seen the racist and xenophobic graffiti that has spread in Budapest against the Kosovar migrants that came through Hungary earlier this year [link] - including graffiti demanding that they be killed.
We can only imagine what could happen during the Fidesz government's 'National Consultation' when it is asking in postal mails Hungarian citizens loaded and biased questions such as:
3. According to some, immigration, which is badly handled by Brussels, is connected with the expansion of terrorism, Do you agree with this opinion?
and
12. Do you agree with the Hungarian Government that instead of supporting immigrants, that support of Hungarian families and future babies is needed?
Note: During the time at the Blaha Lujza square there was some verbal abuse by a Hungarian man directed at the Gandhi organization marchers. The police quickly reacted and separated the man from the event and calmed the situation without incident.
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