This call comes at a time when the world is experiencing a growing number of asylum seekers and refugees, in the wake of ongoing wars and conflicts in countries like Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, South Sudan and the Central African Republic, sparking what has come to be known as the “Refugee Crisis”. This unprecedented increase in asylum seekers and refugees has resulted in the degeneration of the global refugee system and humanitarian crisis around the world.

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or SAHRC) recognises that people are forced to leave their country of origin for a variety of reasons such as fear for their lives in their own countries due to civil war, human rights violations, or natural disasters. Others are fleeing situations of dire poverty and perceived hopelessness and are searching for a better life and economic opportunities.

Non-nationals, who seek refuge in South Africa, are entitled to enjoy all the rights in the Constitution except the right to vote. In other words, fundamental human rights cannot be denied to anyone, regardless of their citizenship. The SAHRC promotes and protects the human rights of all people in South Africa, including non-nationals and it has condemned xenophobia, discrimination and abuse of non-nationals in several instances where these tendencies and behaviours became prevalent. The SAHRC also has a mandate to monitor immigration detention facilities.

South Africa is party to the following international treaties:
•    Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – article 13 provides for the rights of aliens.  
•    UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951)
•    African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights – article 12 guarantees the right to seek asylum and protection from expulsion.
•    Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa – article 11 places an obligation on states to protect asylum seeking women, refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons, against all forms of violence, rape, and other forms of sexual exploitation.

It is for this reason that, on this World Refugee day, the South African Human Rights Commission calls upon all heads of states; all leaders of different formations across the globe and government officials around the world to comply with their obligations in terms of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and to do all within their power to alleviate the plight of refugees in their respective countries. The Commission also calls upon all UN agencies to take every step and efforts to bring to an end the conflicts and wars that are fuelling the increase the current refugee crisis.  

In South Africa, the Commission specifically calls upon the Government to comply with its obligations in terms of the Constitution and the Refugee Act of 1998, to deal with the backlog in the processing of refugee applications and to extend the provision of basic services to all asylum seekers and refugees in the country. The Commission also calls upon the people of South Africa to embrace the spirit of Ubuntu and to extend a hand of friendship and ample empathy to all who find themselves in the shores of South Africa because of their displacement from their countries of birth.

Ends

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission.
For queries contact Isaac Mangena on 084 926 4269 or SAHRC Spokesperson Gail Smith on 060 988 3792