STATEMENT: THE SOUTHERN AFRICA LITIGATION CENTRE SUPPORTS SOUTH AFRICAN STUDENTS’ PROTEST

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) stands in solidarity with students’ struggles against fee increments in South Africa.  We support the call for broader transformation at tertiary institutions and condemn those who have used excessive force against those striving for substantive equality. We call for a peaceful solution to this crisis, and one which involves the students. We remind the authorities of the rights of all, including these students, to peaceful protest. While we acknowledge the duty of the police to ensure public order and protect the rights of all, including protesters and non-protesters, this duty must be executed in accordance with international human rights standards. The excessive use of force against protesters is not justifiable.