Invitation: PILG - Refugee and migrant rights seminar hosted by Lawyers for Human Rights

Lawyers for Human Rights would like to invite you to attend its one-day seminar within the framework of this year’s Public Interest Law Gathering being held at the Wits Law School from 22-24 July 2015. This seminar will focus on refugee and migrants’ rights, with special attention on xenophobic violence that took place earlier this year. Please find the official programme attached.

The violence which took place was unfortunately similar to the violence which wracked the country in 2008 and led to the deaths of approximately 62 people and displaced an estimated 100 000. While xenophobic violence, and deaths, have not disappeared, 2015 saw a flare up of mass violence in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.  Although the number of deaths were fortunately far less, these events have given us pause to reflect on what we have done since 2008. 

This year also marks a change in immigration policy with the Department of Home Affairs beginning a white paper process to relook at its approach to migration in South Africa.  We have also seen an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration appointed by the President to deal with xenophobia and the causes of violence. This committee has since launched Operation Fiela-Reclaim, a joint operation between the police, military and other government departments, to focus on certain crimes, including undocumented migration. These policy changes and approaches will also require public participation and discussion as they will have important ramifications for the country. 

We would like to invite members of civil society, government, international organisations and the public to attend this one day seminar.  We hope that it will allow for a rich debate and new insights into the changes we expect to see in the coming year. 

Details:
When: 22 July 2015
Where: University of the Witwatersrand, School of Law
Time: 9am to 4pm