SA committed to fulfilling obligations towards refugees

Source: RDM News Wire, 05/09/2015

The South African government is firmly committed to ensuring the
fulfilment of its international obligations towards refugees and
asylum seekers in terms of its ratification of the relevant
international protocols‚ the Department of Home Affairs said on
Friday.


The department said it had noted with concern misleading media reports
in relation to the Angolan Cessation process and wished to correct
certain misrepresentations that "seek to paint the South African
government in a negative light".


It was reported on Friday that about 2‚000 Angolan refugees - many of
whom have been living in South Africa for as long as 18 years - face
deportation following the withdrawal of their refugee status.


And those from at least three other African countries are next on the
list.


This is reportedly part of the government's new strategy to repatriate
refugees once peace and stability have returned to their
countries.


According to the reports‚ Home Affairs officials confirmed this week
that refugees from Liberia‚ Rwanda and Sierra Leone could also face
deportation.


These countries have been declared safe by the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees‚ which over the past seven years has
declared a "cessation of refugee status" for all four countries.


In a statement on Friday evening‚ the Department of Home Affairs said:
"It is of importance to note that‚ against the backdrop of the 1951
United Nations (UN) Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and
the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1969
Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Convention Governing the Specific
Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa: `a person ceases to be a
refugee if he/she can no longer continue to refuse the protection of
the country of his or her nationality‚ because the circumstances that
recognised such a person as a refugee no longer exist`."


It pointed out that the Angolan war had ended in 2002 following the
signing of the Luena Peace Treaty in Zambia. In October 2009 the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Executive
Committee in Geneva had recommended that Angolans remaining in host
countries as refugees should cease to receive international protection
following sustained peace‚ stability and economic prosperity in their
country of origin.


"In this regard‚ on 29 April 2013‚ Cabinet approved the implementation
of the Angolan cessation in line with the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) recommendation under three categories:
- Voluntary repatriation as the primary and preferred option - Local
integration due to established links and tiers within the host country
and - Exemption from the cessation given the continued need for
protection.


"Under the UNHCR`s Comprehensive Durable Solutions Strategy‚ Voluntary
Repatriation is the preferred option although in this regard‚ few
affected Angolans considered this option.


"Under Local Integration‚ two-year special permits were availed
through the Immigration Act to allow enough time to apply for permits
that will assist those affected to remain in the country as Angolan
migrants and not as refugees.


"The basis of motivations for this option would premise on reasons of
marriage‚ employment‚ business and study.


"It should be noted that under the Exemption Category‚ none of the
Angolan refugees applied for continued protection instead electing to
seek extensions citing medical reasons. The department is considering
the latter option though it is outside the provisions of international
protection as stipulated in the Refugee Act‚ AU and UN Conventions and
Protocols‚" the department explained.


It added: "The South African government is firmly committed to
ensuring the fulfilment of its international obligations towards
refugees and asylum seekers in terms of its ratification of the
relevant international protocols."