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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
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