A Guide To The South African Criminal Justice System For Refugees And Migrants

Expanding the protection space for refugees in South Africa

DHA ordered to re open Port Elizabeth Refugee Reception Centre


Deportation of Refugees and Western Cape High Court decision

A particularly disturbing patterns has emerged  whereby Immigration has been summarily arresting and detaining asylum seeker who go to renew their asylum seeker permits and are presented with their rejections.

These asylum seekers are unaware that they are going to be detained. They are not given the opportunity to wind up their affairs and consider either the option of pursuing their matter through further legal means such as judicial review or to consider leaving the country voluntarily and with dignity.

The summary arrests and detention encroaches upon the individuals dignity. The Western Cape High Court decision(attached here :see point 7) is quite clear in that Home Affairs is interdicted from summarily arresting and detaining individuals who are not recognized as refugees.

They are totally ignoring this decision and summary detentions persist. Another issue of concern is that when the detainee brings the matter to court and the Magistrate does not confirm the warrant and detention of the detainee, the detainee is not released. This again showings scant regard for the findings of the court. Click here to view Deportation of Refugees and Western Cape High Court decision

Rights and Obligations of Refugees in South Africa

The Process of Applying For Refugee Status in South Africa

ZEF__DHA JUDGMENT

Press Release ZEF judgment 11 Feb 2011

Why home affairs officials are prize chumps

Click here to download the IPT Refugee Brochure

New Magistrates as prime drivers and players in the change process in Child Justice and the plight of unaccompanied foreign children.