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Govt Urged to Protect Refugees

BuaNews (Pretoria)
NEWS
November 2, 2004
Posted to the web November 2, 2004

By Edwin Tshivhidzo And Mahlatsi Mgidi
Pretoria
The Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) has urged government to protect foreigners
from discrimination and ill treatment.
This was heard today at the beginning of three-day hearings the South African
Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has convened to look at how best to address
xenophobia in the country.
Xenophobia is a deep-rooted dislike of foreigners and is universally recognised
as a violation of human rights.
And South Africa has been singled out as having the highest rate of this
intolerance.
The LHR and the National Consortium for Refugee Affairs also recommended that
government should effectively implement and constantly monitor policies
regarding foreigners.
A representative from the refugee organisation Joyce Tlou said government had
to look beyond xenophobia as a human rights issue.
"Xenophobia also affects the socio-economic status of the country therefore
government must play a role in combating the fear of foreigners. As a country
we should also deal with the challenges together," she said.
She added that government should afford foreigners, especially legal ones,
benefits such as basic health care, education and social services afforded to
all South Africans.
Ms Tlou urged South Africans to be tolerant of foreigners because they were
attracted by the socio-economic status and job opportunities in this country.
However arrested illegal foreigners faced detention in harsh conditions such as
at the Lindela Repatriation Centre.
The Centre has a capacity of 4000 detainees but it is often overcrowded, with
detainees kept longer than the 30-day period.
According to the National Consortium for Refugee Affairs, this is due to lack
of proper administration.
Presiding over the hearings is Human Rights Commission's chairperson Jody
Kollapen and Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, among others.
Representatives from the departments of defence, safety and security, foreign
affairs, as well as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees are
expected to speak during the next two days.

   

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