Diplomatic protection and xenophobic violence in South Africa : the case for reparation to Mozambican victims

Abstract

Xenophobia is a fear or contempt of that which is foreign or unknown, especially of strangers or foreign people. It comes from the Greek words ξένος (xenos), meaning "foreigner," "stranger," and φόβος (phobos), meaning "fear." The term is typically used to describe a fear or dislike of foreigners or of people significantly different from oneself.1 On 11 May 2008 foreigners, mainly black people who lived in poor areas were attacked by South African citizens in South Africa; the attacks started in Alexandra, Johannesburg and spread to other areas in the country.2 Due to the occurrence 62 people were officially confirmed dead; 342 foreigners‟ shops were looted and 213 burnt down.3 Forty one foreigners were killed during the incident; such kinds of xenophobic attacks against foreigners had taken place in the country before, having reached their peak in May 2008.4 Further, „at least 670 people were wounded, and over 100 000 displaced.‟