The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on Monday marked World Refugee Day by urging government to tackle the backlog of refugee applications and provide basic services to all asylum seekers.
The commission noted that the United Nations’ (UN) theme for the 16th anniversary of the day was to “recall our common humanity‚ celebrate tolerance and diversity and open our hearts to refugees everywhere”.
An SAHRC statement said it “recognises that people are forced to leave their country of origin for a variety of reasons such as fear for their lives in their own countries due to civil war‚ human rights violations‚ or natural disasters”.
“Others are fleeing situations of dire poverty and perceived hopelessness and are searching for a better life and economic opportunities.”
Record 65 million people displaced worldwide: UN
Should they “seek refuge in South Africa”‚ they “are entitled to enjoy all the rights in the Constitution except the right to vote”.
“In other words‚ fundamental human rights cannot be denied to anyone‚ regardless of their citizenship. The SAHRC promotes and protects the human rights of all people in South Africa‚ including non-nationals and it has condemned xenophobia‚ discrimination and abuse of non-nationals in several instances where these tendencies and behaviours became prevalent.”
“In South Africa‚ the commission specifically calls upon the government to comply with its obligations in terms of the Constitution and the Refugee Act of 1998‚ to deal with the backlog in the processing of refugee applications and to extend the provision of basic services to all asylum seekers and refugees in the country.
“The commission also calls upon the people of South Africa to embrace the spirit of Ubuntu and to extend a hand of friendship and ample empathy to all who find themselves in the shores of South Africa because of their displacement from their countries of birth.”
The SAHRC also took the occasion to remind government that is “party to the following international treaties: Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – article 13 provides for the rights of aliens; UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951); African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights – article 12 guarantees the right to seek asylum and protection from expulsion; and Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa – article 11 places an obligation on states to protect asylum seeking women‚ refugees‚ returnees and internally displaced persons‚ against all forms of violence‚ rape‚ and other forms of sexual exploitation”.
– TMG Digital
SAHRC reminds government of its obligations on World Refugee Day
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on Monday marked World Refugee Day by urging government to tackle the backlog of refugee applications and provide basic services to all asylum seekers.
The commission noted that the United Nations’ (UN) theme for the 16th anniversary of the day was to “recall our common humanity‚ celebrate tolerance and diversity and open our hearts to refugees everywhere”.
An SAHRC statement said it “recognises that people are forced to leave their country of origin for a variety of reasons such as fear for their lives in their own countries due to civil war‚ human rights violations‚ or natural disasters”.
“Others are fleeing situations of dire poverty and perceived hopelessness and are searching for a better life and economic opportunities.”
Record 65 million people displaced worldwide: UN
Should they “seek refuge in South Africa”‚ they “are entitled to enjoy all the rights in the Constitution except the right to vote”.
“In other words‚ fundamental human rights cannot be denied to anyone‚ regardless of their citizenship. The SAHRC promotes and protects the human rights of all people in South Africa‚ including non-nationals and it has condemned xenophobia‚ discrimination and abuse of non-nationals in several instances where these tendencies and behaviours became prevalent.”
“In South Africa‚ the commission specifically calls upon the government to comply with its obligations in terms of the Constitution and the Refugee Act of 1998‚ to deal with the backlog in the processing of refugee applications and to extend the provision of basic services to all asylum seekers and refugees in the country.
“The commission also calls upon the people of South Africa to embrace the spirit of Ubuntu and to extend a hand of friendship and ample empathy to all who find themselves in the shores of South Africa because of their displacement from their countries of birth.”
The SAHRC also took the occasion to remind government that is “party to the following international treaties: Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – article 13 provides for the rights of aliens; UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951); African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights – article 12 guarantees the right to seek asylum and protection from expulsion; and Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa – article 11 places an obligation on states to protect asylum seeking women‚ refugees‚ returnees and internally displaced persons‚ against all forms of violence‚ rape‚ and other forms of sexual exploitation”.
– TMG Digital
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