25/04/2026
The Kenyan Peasants League Statement on the Ongoing Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa - What the South African Movements and Government Should Do
The Kenyans Peasants League (KPL) has Learnt with Great Concerns the Ongoing Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa and is Convening an Emergency Virtual Session via this link http://meet.google.com/srz-ecnh-hpi on Monday 27 April 2026 at 3PM Kenyan Time (2PM South African Time) to agree on modalities of developing an Urgent Appeal to the United Nations Working Group on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas to raise the and to Condemn the Xenophobic Attacks with the Strongest Possible Terms.
The KPL notes that:
1. Articles 1(4) of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP) provides that UNDROP applies to hired workers, including all migrant workers regardless of their migration status, and seasonal workers, on plantations, agricultural farms, forests and farms in aquaculture and in agro-industrial enterprises. The Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa targeted at other Africans based on their Migrants status contravenes this provision.
2. Article 3(1) of UNDROP provides that Peasants and other people working in rural areas have the right to the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms recognized in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all other international human rights instruments, free from any kind of discrimination in the exercise of their rights based on any grounds such as origin, nationality etc. The Xenophobic attacks on other African Nationals in South Africa based on their Nationality Contravenes this provision
3. Article 7 of UNDROP provides that Peasants and other people working in rural areas have the right to recognition everywhere as persons before the law and obligates states including South African state to take appropriate measures to facilitate the freedom of movement of peasants and other people working in rural areas and that the states shall, where required, take appropriate measures to cooperate with a view to addressing transboundary tenure issues affecting peasants and other people working in rural areas that cross international boundaries, in accordance with article 28 of the UNDROP. By failing to address the rising cases of Xenophobic Attacks, the South African regime appears to Abet this crime and contravenes this provisions.
4. Article 12(1) of UNDROP guarantees Peasants and other people working in rural areas the right to effective and non-discriminatory access to justice regardless of their status. The Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa denies the victims their right to Justice
5. Article 14(1) of UNDROP guarantee all peasants and other people working in rural areas, irrespective of whether they are temporary, seasonal or migrant workers, the rights to work in safe and healthy working conditions. The Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa denies the victims this right.
In light of the above and in the spirit of promoting International Solidarity, the KPL is:
1. Asking the South African Regime to immediately fulfil its obligations under the UNDROP including Article 2 of UNDROP and ensure security and safety of migrant workers in South Africa
2. Asking the South African Movements to immediately issue Statements Condemning the Xenophobic Attacks and start a bold campaign of sensitize the South African Nationals on the need for peaceful coexistence with other African Nationals living and working in South Africa
3. Asking the South African Regime and Movements to provide relevant and accurate information that can aid in developing an Urgent Appeal to the UN Working Group on Peasants Rights to Convene an Emergency Session to discuss the Xenophobic Attacks.
4. Inviting all Movements from across the world for an Emergency Virtual Session on Xenophobic Attacks to take place on Monday 27 April 2026 at 3PM Kenyan Time (2PM South African Time) via this link http://meet.google.com/srz-ecnh-hpi
Signed
Kenyan Peasants League
25 April 2026
