‘No person forfeits their dignity’: Schreiber warns against rights violations amid immigration tensions

Leon Schreiber

Johannesburg – The government has warned against violations of human rights linked to allegations around nationality and immigration status, stressing that all people are protected by South Africa’s Constitution.

Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber said no person loses their right to life, dignity or humanity simply because they are accused of breaking the law.

“No person forfeits their right to life, dignity or their status as a human being because they are alleged to have violated a law,” Schreiber said.

He added that the principle of due process and the rule of law remained central to South Africa’s democracy.

“This is a defining feature of our Constitution that sets us apart as a nation of due process and the rule of law,” he said.

Schreiber’s comments come amid heightened tensions around immigration issues in South Africa, with planned protests targeting undocumented foreign nationals and increased concerns over possible xenophobic violence.

The minister said allegations related to a person’s nationality or immigration status could not be used as a basis to violate their constitutional rights.

“We will not tolerate anyone using allegations related to any person’s nationality or immigration status to violate their inherent human dignity and our Constitution, or to inflict damage on our society,” Schreiber said.

“It simply cannot and will not stand.”

The warning comes as government authorities increase security measures ahead of planned 30 June demonstrations linked to calls for undocumented migrants to leave the country. Officials have repeatedly urged citizens to use lawful processes to address concerns around immigration.

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