migrants
migrants
SADC Urged to Recognise Migrants
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC) is calling Southern African Development Community (SADC) governments put in place policies that recognise the rights of migrants.
The IFRC, which joins forces with regional humanitarian organisations to eliminated problems faced by migrants in the region, argues that migrants’ needs must be addressed irrespective of their legal status in a host country.
IFRC Southern Africa representative, Ken Odur, points out that, "We want all the relevant authorities to partner with us in finding lasting solution on migrants problems.”
To read the article titled, “SADC urged for policies to recognise migrants,” click here.Source:shanghai DailyDeportations of Migrants Set to Resume - NGO
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimates that 1.5 million Zimbabwean migrants are living in South Africa, but only 275 000 Zimbabweans have applied to be regularised by the 31 December 2010 deadline.
IOM chief of mission in Zimbabwe, Vincent Houver, has been quoted as saying that, “All we know for now is that immigration authorities from both countries (South Africa and Zimbabwe) have met to discuss the modalities under which forced removals may resume.”
Meanwhile, People Against Suffering, Oppression and Poverty (PASSOP) says that police appear to be acting on an internal directive sent by director-general of home affairs, instructing the police service, as well as the defence force and home affairs offices to start deporting undocumented Zimbabwean nationals.
To read the article titled, “Deportations of Zimbabwean migrants set to resume,” click here.Source:The Zimbabwean GuardianGovt Has No Stats on Migrants - Maunye
The Department of Home Affairs says it has no statistics on foreigners in the country either legally or illegally.
Briefing the National Assembly's home affairs committee on the Zimbabwean documentation project, the committee chairperson, Maggie Maunye, pointed out that it will help establish how many Zimbabweans are in the country legally and illegally.
Maunye states that the project should be expanded to other foreign nationals, as some foreign nationals claim to be asylum seekers when they should be economic migrants.
To read the article titled, “No stats on migrants in SA,” click here.Source:News24Call for Law to Deal With Hate Crimes
South Africa should urgently promulgate legislation to deal specifically with hate crimes, although the fight against hate crime should be a multifaceted one that should also strive to change the mind-set of perpetrators.
In his report after visiting South Africa earlier this year, Jorge Bustamante, United Nations special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, encouraged the government to introduce a hate crime bill urgently.
Bustamante argued that any act of violence against individuals or property on the basis of a person’s race, nationality, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity should be an aggravating circumstance.
To read the article titled, “Legislation ‘just one way’ to deal with hate crimes,” click here.Source:Business DayRefugee Nurses Get Language Help
The City of Johannesburg says that refugee nurses at the Rosettenville and Yeoville clinics are being taught to translate.
The City points out that, "These clinics were selected because they service areas that have significant numbers of migrant communities"
It states that the clinic staff welcomed the intervention and indicted that they expected it to make their job easier when assisting migrants, adding that migrants have difficulty accessing public institutions like health care because health care providers often did not speak their language.
The nurses were being trained by the city's health department, the Refugee Nurses' Association, and African Migrants Solidarity.
To read the article titled, “Refugee nurses get language help,” click here.Source:News24ICRC: Thousands of Migrants Stranded in Libya
The international Red Cross has expressed concern about several thousand foreign migrants stranded in the open in the besieged Libyan port of Misrata.
The group was found living under tarpaulins and shelters by an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) team that entered the city by sea for a day to evaluate medical conditions and aid needs.
ICRC spokesperson, Nicole Engelbrecht, has been quoted as saying that, "Our main concern right now is the stranded foreign nationals living in the vicinity of the port."
To read the article titled, “Thousands of migrants stranded in Misrata,” click here.Source:News24IOM Wants US$49.2m to Help Migrants
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has increased its appeal for the Libyan crisis to US$49.2 million dollars, urging the international donor community to not let up in responding to the crisis.
IOM director, William Lacy Swing, points out that the organisation is concerned at the plight of Libyans and migrants who are still stranded inside Libya.
Swing states that, “Those managing to get out, in particular Sub-Saharan Africans, are recounting to us terrible stories of targeting, physical violence and of being held back from leaving. We once again urge Libya to allow all those wanting to leave the country safe passage out."
To read the article titled, “Organisation wants US$49.2 million to help migrants,” click here.Source:All AfricaSouth Africa to Ease Entry for Foreigners
The Department of Home Affairs wants it to be easier for foreigners to work, study and travel in South Africa.
Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says she hope to cut red tape in the country’s permit regime, while at the same time stepping up controls designed to keep criminals out of the country.
Dlamini-Zuma says the new system would allow for longer permits for foreign workers and students, so that they no longer had to renew their documents every year.
To read the article titled, “SA wants to ease entry for foreigners,” click here.Source:CitizenSouth Africa Behind on Migrant Matters: UN
The United Nation Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Jorge Bustamante, has told members of Parliament's home affairs portfolio committee there is a ‘general lack of data’ when it came to the human rights of migrants.
Bustamante points out that, “The fact that there are so many undocumented immigrants in South Africa already, makes South Africa behind the realities of international migration.”
He is of the view that this is something that is very much in contrast with what he calls ‘the fine, exemplary level of the Constitution of South Africa’.
To read the article titled, “SA behind on migrant matters: UN expert,” click here.Source:Times LiveLHR: Illegal Immigration Penalties Not Enough
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) says the proposed harsh penalties for violations of South Africa’s immigration laws will not stem the flood of migrants crossing into the country, but will cause them to do so secretly.
The organisation argues that the harsher penalties in the Immigration Amendment Bill will perversely defeat the purposes of the Immigration Act that foreigners entering the country declare themselves at a border post.
LHR says it would rather encourage government to study alternatives to harsh penalties and explore policies which will encourage use of border crossings, identification and effective administrative procedures to discourage non-compliance with the Immigration Act.
To read the article titled, “Illegal immigration penalties not enough - Legal body,” click here.Source:Business Day
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