Member Statement in Parliament, Adv. Anton Alberts, FF Plus MP, March 13 2012
European Parliament condemns farm murders in South Africa
The Freedom Front Plus has with concern taken notice of the drastic increase in the number of farm attacks and farm murders since the beginning of this year. The South African government should therefore take serious note of the statement across party divisions in the European Parliament in which protest was registered against the unacceptable wave of farm murders which take place in South Africa.
A declaration signed by 48 European parliamentary members from 19 member states representing 7 different political formations - socialists, liberals, Christian democrats and other formations and even one from the communist ranks, is proof of how serious Europe experiences this contemptible and desperate situation in South Africa (see below).
South Africa owes the European parliamentary members recognition for their declared criticism of this situation in our country which no one can tolerate any longer.
The government should react to this by making farm attacks a priority crime.
South Africa should also with great concern take note of the so-called second transformation which the ANC is propagating in its discussion documents for its forthcoming policy conference in which the land issue is prioritized and which will raise the eyebrows.
Dr. Pieter Mulder's, leader of the FF Plus, speech about the land issue is therefore now more important than ever.
Issued by the FF+, March 13 2012
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
14.11.2011 - 0043/2011
WRITTEN DECLARATION
pursuant to Rule 123 of the Rules of Procedure on the murder of farmers in South Africa
Philip Claeys, Andreas Mölzer, Fiorello Provera
Lapse date: 16.2.2012
Written declaration on the murder of farmers in South Africa
The European Parliament,
- having regard to Rule 123 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas since 1994 more than 3 000 white farmers have been murdered in South Africa, frequently under barbaric circumstances,
B. whereas the numerous attacks on farms, even those not resulting in fatalities, are creating a climate of fear,
C. whereas the situation is so alarming that in September 2011 the Washington NGO Genocide Watch upgraded South Africa from stage 5 (polarisation) to stage 6 (preparation),
D. whereas Julius Malema, President of the ANC Youth League and, according to the Forbes journal, one of the most influential young people in Africa, regularly calls for the song ‘Dubhula iBhunu' ('Kill the Boer') to be sung at meetings,
E. whereas the farmers' organisations are claiming that attacks on farms are not being taken seriously enough by the police and government,
1. Expresses its dismay at the climate of violence in South Africa, independently of the ethnic origin of the victims;
2. Expresses concern, however, at the systematic nature of the attacks on white farmers;
3. Urges the High Representative for Foreign Affairs to convey to the Government of South Africa the concern of the European Parliament and to push for measures to ensure greater security;
4. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the Commission and the Council.
Source: EU Parliament (see here - PDF)
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