Date: 20/06/2005
Source: Department of Home Affairs
Title: Fraser: World Refugee Day
Address delivered by Mr Arthur Fraser, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs, on World Refugee Day
Distinguished Guests
Representatives of Government
Representatives of Non-Government
Ladies and Gentlemen
I would like to thank the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for extending an invitation to deliver this address, and to be part of this celebration. Our Director-General, Mr Jeff Maqetuka, is currently representing the department in international commitments abroad, and regrets being unable to attend this occasion in person.
South Africa strives to fulfil our international obligation towards asylum seekers and refugees, and demonstrate to the international community our adherence to international law. We are committed to the provision of legal protection and social assistance to refugees.
The theme for today's event is "IT TAKES COURAGE TO BE A REFUGEE". I think it is appropriate to draw comparisons between today's celebrations within the context of South Africa's recent history. A mere four days ago we celebrated Youth Day, a day that resonates in our history as one of the most significant catalysts towards the liberation of this country. 16 June captures the role of our youth of 1976, in how they decisively transformed the political landscape of South Africa. A direct outcome of this uprising was the mass exodus of youth from the country. I many incidents this translated to the generation of Refugees within neighbouring states and further a field.
World Refugee day stands out as a salute to the courage of young people in Africa and the world. It stands out as a tribute to young people who dare to take a stand against oppressive situations in their country of origin. It is mainly young people who are in the forefront of struggles against discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, and other forms of discrimination. It takes courage to take such a stand. Refugees are ordinary people, except that through no fault of their own, they find themselves in extraordinary circumstances.
It's within this context that we as South Africa commit ourselves within this democratic dispensation to ensure that we are able to adhere to the principles of Human Rights and in so doing endeavour to regularising legitimate Asylum seekers.
Internationally statistics reflect a decrease in the number of Asylum seekers. This could partly be ascribed to the fact that there are fewer conflicts. However, we are aware of the fact that many states in Europe are tightening their immigration legislation and policies, thereby reducing the unconditional and universal right to Asylum.
In Africa the political situation has stabilised in many countries during the past, few years and this include countries such as, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Somalia. About a decade ago these were the major flashpoint on the continent, which produced millions of refugees and internally displaced people. The resolution of these conflicts featured high on the African Agenda.
The New Partnership for Africa's Development emphasised the need to address the root causes of Refugee movements on the continent. These causes we are all familiar with: Poor governance, Political instability, Economic malaise, Environmental disasters, and Religious and Ethnic intolerance. This undertaking by African Union Member States to take responsibility for their own actions indirectly force them to redress actions on their part which produce the millions of Refugees which have become a defining feature of our continent.
The Department has embarked on efforts to overhaul the Asylum procedure in the country. One of the key priorities has been to ensure effective Management and Capacity. We have upgraded the status of Refugee Affairs to that of a Directorate and have recently appointed Director RA- Busisiwe Mkwebane-Tshehla. Furthermore, we are automating our process and have introduced; Refugee Smart Card integrating our ICT systems
The Department envisage structured relationships with the consortium of Refugee organisations, enabling them to better understand the challenges facing the department, and to collectively look at constructive ways to improve the Refugee regime within South Africa.
The Department of Home Affairs as part of its plans has committed to forging closer working relationships with other government departments to ensure smoother integration of Refugees into society.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
World Refugee day is important for all of us. It provides us an opportunity to reflect on the plight of refugees in Africa and in other parts of the world. It focuses our attention especially on the difficulties that refugees are faced with in their struggles against oppression, and challenges us as government and stakeholders to alleviate their plight. Most importantly, address the root causes of refugee situations and wars. This should be our battle cry in our attempt to reverse the fortune of our continent during this millennium. Thankyou.
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
20 June 2005
Source: Department of Home Affairs
Title: Fraser: World Refugee Day
Address delivered by Mr Arthur Fraser, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs, on World Refugee Day
Distinguished Guests
Representatives of Government
Representatives of Non-Government
Ladies and Gentlemen
I would like to thank the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for extending an invitation to deliver this address, and to be part of this celebration. Our Director-General, Mr Jeff Maqetuka, is currently representing the department in international commitments abroad, and regrets being unable to attend this occasion in person.
South Africa strives to fulfil our international obligation towards asylum seekers and refugees, and demonstrate to the international community our adherence to international law. We are committed to the provision of legal protection and social assistance to refugees.
The theme for today's event is "IT TAKES COURAGE TO BE A REFUGEE". I think it is appropriate to draw comparisons between today's celebrations within the context of South Africa's recent history. A mere four days ago we celebrated Youth Day, a day that resonates in our history as one of the most significant catalysts towards the liberation of this country. 16 June captures the role of our youth of 1976, in how they decisively transformed the political landscape of South Africa. A direct outcome of this uprising was the mass exodus of youth from the country. I many incidents this translated to the generation of Refugees within neighbouring states and further a field.
World Refugee day stands out as a salute to the courage of young people in Africa and the world. It stands out as a tribute to young people who dare to take a stand against oppressive situations in their country of origin. It is mainly young people who are in the forefront of struggles against discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, and other forms of discrimination. It takes courage to take such a stand. Refugees are ordinary people, except that through no fault of their own, they find themselves in extraordinary circumstances.
It's within this context that we as South Africa commit ourselves within this democratic dispensation to ensure that we are able to adhere to the principles of Human Rights and in so doing endeavour to regularising legitimate Asylum seekers.
Internationally statistics reflect a decrease in the number of Asylum seekers. This could partly be ascribed to the fact that there are fewer conflicts. However, we are aware of the fact that many states in Europe are tightening their immigration legislation and policies, thereby reducing the unconditional and universal right to Asylum.
In Africa the political situation has stabilised in many countries during the past, few years and this include countries such as, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Somalia. About a decade ago these were the major flashpoint on the continent, which produced millions of refugees and internally displaced people. The resolution of these conflicts featured high on the African Agenda.
The New Partnership for Africa's Development emphasised the need to address the root causes of Refugee movements on the continent. These causes we are all familiar with: Poor governance, Political instability, Economic malaise, Environmental disasters, and Religious and Ethnic intolerance. This undertaking by African Union Member States to take responsibility for their own actions indirectly force them to redress actions on their part which produce the millions of Refugees which have become a defining feature of our continent.
The Department has embarked on efforts to overhaul the Asylum procedure in the country. One of the key priorities has been to ensure effective Management and Capacity. We have upgraded the status of Refugee Affairs to that of a Directorate and have recently appointed Director RA- Busisiwe Mkwebane-Tshehla. Furthermore, we are automating our process and have introduced; Refugee Smart Card integrating our ICT systems
The Department envisage structured relationships with the consortium of Refugee organisations, enabling them to better understand the challenges facing the department, and to collectively look at constructive ways to improve the Refugee regime within South Africa.
The Department of Home Affairs as part of its plans has committed to forging closer working relationships with other government departments to ensure smoother integration of Refugees into society.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
World Refugee day is important for all of us. It provides us an opportunity to reflect on the plight of refugees in Africa and in other parts of the world. It focuses our attention especially on the difficulties that refugees are faced with in their struggles against oppression, and challenges us as government and stakeholders to alleviate their plight. Most importantly, address the root causes of refugee situations and wars. This should be our battle cry in our attempt to reverse the fortune of our continent during this millennium. Thankyou.
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
20 June 2005
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