Amnesty international calls for better protection of human rights defenders

CAPE TOWN - Amnesty international, an NPO human rights organisation, has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to better protect human rights defenders.
 
The call comes after the recent murders of human rights defenders in the country.  
The organisation said it wants to highlight the need for specific legislation to protect human rights activists.  

Executive director of Amnesty international South Africa, Shenilla Mohamed said the government needs to realise that the protection of human rights activists is broader than the protection for whistleblowers.

“In a society that values justice and equality, the protection of those who advocate for human rights should be paramount. While the exact motives for the killings of Imam Hendricks, Ms Mabini and Dr Mokae are not yet known, it is important that these murders are met with a prompt and thorough investigation that identifies this and considers their human rights work as a possible motive,” Mohamed said.