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Nicole Hughes May 24, 2008 | 12:23 am EST

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Necklacing– in which a rubber tire, filled with kerosene, is forced around a victim’s chest and arms and set on fire– was a common form punishment imposed by “people’s courts” Apartheid-era South Africa. The practice was first captured by the late photographer Kevin Carter. And Archbishop and peace activist Desmond Tutu once intervened to stop a man who was about to be necklaced. Tragically, nearly 20 years later, Tutu must, once again, call on South Africans to stop this brutal practice. Before the victims were suspected collaborators (with the apartheid regime) and criminals. Now refugees from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique, who flee violence and poverty in their own countries are the victims. They are being blamed for taking jobs and driving up crime rates. 42 people have been killed, 28,000 people have been displaced by the violence and more than 400 have been arrested.

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