Promote the protection of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants’ rights

Joint press release with the consortium for refugees and migrants in South Africa.

Authorities and leadership in South Africa must recommit to protecting refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants’ rights, ensuring human rights and justice for all, regardless of nationality, said Amnesty International South Africa, the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa and the Forced Migration Working Group members ahead of International Human Rights Day on 10 December and International Migrants Day on 18 December, and a joint celebration taking place tomorrow, 8 December 2017.

The South African government must comply with the South African Constitution, domestic legislation and international and regional human rights instruments and standards to promote and protect the rights of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants in South Africa.
“Refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants living in South Africa often suffer harassment, xenophobic violence and hatred because of their nationality, state of documentation, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, without consequences for the perpetrators,” said Shenilla Mohamed, Executive Director of Amnesty International South Africa.

She added: “As we commemorate International Human Rights Day and International Migrants Day, we highlight the plight of the most marginalized, including refugee, asylum-seeker and migrant women, children and gender non-conforming refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants who suffer disproportionate violence, and we call upon authorities to ensure their right to safety, protection, equality, and a life free of violence.”

“The South African Constitution clearly provides for the right to freedom of movement and security of all persons, and South Africa has a leading role to play in the region, as the current chair of the Southern African Development Community and as a legitimate member of the African Union, in upholding the rights of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants.

“The South African government should commit to bringing perpetrators of xenophobic violence to justice and create a space for dialogue and engagement with Chapter 9 institutions, UN bodies, civil society and refugee and migrant communities to promote diversity, equal rights and justice, social cohesion and peace,” said Thifulufheli Sinthumule, Advocacy Officer for the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa.

Background

Globally, the 10th and 18th of December are recognised as International Days by the UN with 10 December commemorated as International Human Rights Day and 18 December as International Migrants Day respectively. 

International Human Rights Day: This is the day, in 1948, that the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration sets out universal values and a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations. It establishes the equal dignity and worth of every person.

International Migrants Day: This is the day observed on 18 December as appointed by the General Assembly of the UN on 4 December 2000. On 18 December 1990, the General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. 

In honouring the month of December, the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa, in partnership with the Forced Migration Working Group, will be hosting a combined international UN event as follows: 

Date: Friday, 8 December 2017

Time: 9 am to 1 pm

Venue: Cathedral of Christ the King’s Small Hall, 186 Nugget Street, Berea, Johannesburg

This event will bring together asylum-seeker, refugee, migrant and local communities including the representatives of the international community such as the International Organisation for Migration, the UN Refugee Agency representative in South Africa, as well as the ministries of home affairs, basic education and health ministries, Chapter 9 institutions and civil society organisations representing and working on the protection and promotion refugee, asylum-seeker and migrants’ rights in South Africa and globally.

Speakers will include representatives from the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Human Rights Commission, the City of Johannesburg Municipality, Lawyers for Human Rights, the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa, and Amnesty International South Africa.