SA Migration International

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Minister Gigaba: Migrants entitled to protection

Source: Bizcommunity, 20/03/2017

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba says individuals visiting
transiting and residing in the territory of a country are entitled to
the protection of the host country.

By virtue of their presence in a territory, they may also make various
claims on the host State and thus destination countries are entitled
to know who a prospective visitor is, and what their needs
circumstances and intentions are before they enter a country territory
he said.
Potential future citizen

Speaking on Friday at the International Migration Conference at the
Sandton Convention Centre Minister Gigaba said when governments manage
migration, they do so in the awareness that they are not merely
considering entry of a temporary resident but also a potential future
citizen.

People also become citizens of other countries through naturalization.
International migration is not just about the affluent strata of the
economy, it is a development issue.

The desire to control immigration was a strong motivator in the
decision of British voters to leave the European Union 56 years after
first applying to join its predecessor the European Economic
Commission in 1961.

Anti-immigrant sentiment has and is continuing to play a significant
and troubling role in the politics of countries which have hitherto
been seen as exemplars of openness and regional integration he said.
New policy framework needed

Minister Gigaba told delegates at the conference that there is an
urgent need to develop a new and enduring policy framework and
programme for the management of international migration in order to
harness its positive benefits while minimizing the risks.

The new framework must meet both the current and our future challenges
he said.

The Minister has identified the development of a new international
migration policy as one of his top priorities during his term of
office. This policy review seeks to lay a solid policy foundation for
South Africa to manage international migration securely and
effectively and in line with the National Development Plan.

In the 2014/15 financial year the Department of Home Affairs submitted
the Discussion Paper on International Migration to the Minister for
approval. The Discussion Paper served as a basis for drafting the
Green Paper which was submitted in the 2015/16 financial year and
approved by the Minister on 29 March 2016. The Green Paper has been
used as a basis for drafting the White Paper on International
Migration, to be submitted to Cabinet for approval by 31 March 2017.
Right to entry reserved

Home Affairs Deputy Director General: Immigration Services Jackie
McKay said as sovereign State South Africa has defined borders that
are recognized by approximately 200 states.

SA reserves the right to determine who is allowed entry into the
country and under what conditions.

The new Whiter Paper on International Migration affirms SAâ€™s sovereign
right to determine the admission and residence conditions for foreign
nationals in line with its national interest he said.

According to McKay SA urgently needs a robust progressive vision of
the benefits of well-managed international migration.

This vision must be based on the crucial contribution inward and
outward migration and will make to growing our economy and to the
transformation of Africa he said.

Namibian delegate at the conference Justino Okkae told SA news that
the conference is important to address the many problems faced by
Africans when migrating to other countries.

We need to sit down and agree on the way forward to protect our people
from the frustrations they are experiencing daily he said.

According to the World Bank there are 250 million international
migrants in the world 3% of the world population.

The National International Migration Conference is among others
attended by Ministers of Home Affairs from Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho
and Swaziland, ambassadors as well as international experts and
practitioners invited to share international experience on the
management of international migration.

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