l The government needs to ensure that the country's five refugee reception offices remain open and functional;
l The government needs to ensure that the country's five refugee reception offices remain open and functional;
l Increase the number of refugee-status determination officers to prevent backlogs;
l Provide additional computer equipment to facilitate the process;
l Educate service providers, other government departments, the public sector and potential employers about refugee rights and documentation;
l Clarify the procedure for dealing with unaccompanied children;
l Ensure the release of undocumented asylum seekers, and other unlawfully detained people;
l Investigate cases of abuse at Lindela and pressurise the SAPS to stop illegal and irregular deportations;
l Facilitate information materials on school registration procedures, make allowances for French and kiSwahili-speaking children and caregivers and ensure fee exemptions, as applicable to locals;
l Subsidise transport, uniforms and materials for school-going children;
l Deal with xenophobia and the rights of different groups to access healthcare services;
l Introduce interpreters at hospitals and clinics to facilitate communication;
l Ensure access to voluntary counseling and testing for HIV and access to ARVs;
l The government should recognise its obligation to provide housing assistance to asylum seekers and refugees as a specific group of foreigners;
l Review the national housing code.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO ALLEVIATE THE PLIGHT OF REFUGEES, ASYLUM SEEKERS AND MIGRANTS
l The government needs to ensure that the country's five refugee reception offices remain open and functional;
l The government needs to ensure that the country's five refugee reception offices remain open and functional;
l Increase the number of refugee-status determination officers to prevent backlogs;
l Provide additional computer equipment to facilitate the process;
l Educate service providers, other government departments, the public sector and potential employers about refugee rights and documentation;
l Clarify the procedure for dealing with unaccompanied children;
l Ensure the release of undocumented asylum seekers, and other unlawfully detained people;
l Investigate cases of abuse at Lindela and pressurise the SAPS to stop illegal and irregular deportations;
l Facilitate information materials on school registration procedures, make allowances for French and kiSwahili-speaking children and caregivers and ensure fee exemptions, as applicable to locals;
l Subsidise transport, uniforms and materials for school-going children;
l Deal with xenophobia and the rights of different groups to access healthcare services;
l Introduce interpreters at hospitals and clinics to facilitate communication;
l Ensure access to voluntary counseling and testing for HIV and access to ARVs;
l The government should recognise its obligation to provide housing assistance to asylum seekers and refugees as a specific group of foreigners;
l Review the national housing code.