Programme News
13 April 2012
(Press release)
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, let me express our appreciation that you have once again taken the time to join us for our weekly media briefing.
Today, we would like to brief you on our operations at Refugee Reception Offices with particular reference to the Marabastad Office and its satellite office at the Pretoria Showgrounds as well as a review of our Easter operations.
Operations at...
5 April 2012
(Press release)
LHR welcomes the extension of social grants to recognised refugees in South Africa. The Minister of the Department of Social Development (DSD) has finally promulgated amendments to the regulations of the Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004 which will take effect from the 1 April 2012. This came as a result of sustained advocacy from various rights groups, which culminated in LHR pursuing public...
29 March 2012
(News)
Human and refugee rights organisations here have launched a campaign against the detention of undocumented miners at the notorious Lindela Repatriation Centre outside Johannesburg. This follows findings that large numbers of unaccompanied minors were detained in the cells and then deported, mostly to Zimbabwe, without safeguards to ensure legal oversight or consideration of their best...
28 March 2012
(News)
Mail&Guardian: The department of home affairs has yet to explain the extended detention of 22 inmates at the Lindela repatriation centre following a riot at the facility on Monday.
On March 20 the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) brought an urgent application to the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg requesting the immediate release of 22 people who have been detained at Lindela...
26 March 2012
(Press release)
OPINION: African countries should stop introducing anti-gay legislations, in order to create an environment in which contributes to the protection of people’s constitutional rights.
“All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess...
23 March 2012
(News)
The 21st day of March is officially Human Rights Day in South Africa. Others call it Sharpeville Day. It is not without reason that many prefer the day to be remembered as Sharpeville Day. The very mention of Sharpeville Day triggers a powerful memory. A reminder. An epic moment in African resistance and human rights history. Of sacrifice, struggle and vision. Of suffering, pain and...
22 March 2012
(News)
The Tshwane Metro Council and the police are facing a R30.8 million damages claim relating to the eviction of Schubart Park flats residents in November. Lawyers acting for the evicted families have issued the council a letter of demand in which they are claiming R100 000 each on behalf of 308 clients.
The amount of damages could increase, as it was made clear in the letter this week that the...
22 March 2012
(News)
“I only have a face, I have no identity or nationality. I have no idea what to call myself. I just want to belong somewhere.”
This is the plight of a 20-year-old man, identified only as Adelin, who is a stateless person trying to make a living to support himself. But this is impossible, as no country recognises him as a citizen.
Adelin was born on February 14, 1992, in a refugee camp...
22 March 2012
(News)
Mary Chombo was born in SA to a South African-born mother and a Malawian father. But as her birth was never registered in this country and she left for Malawi with her parents when she was little, she is now persona non grata in SA.
She moved back here with her four children after her husband died, but her efforts to be recognised as South African have fallen on deaf ears.
“Home Affairs...
22 March 2012
(News)
“I only have a face, I have no identity or nationality. I have no idea what to call myself. I just want to belong somewhere.”
This is the plight of a 20-year-old man, identified only as Adelin, who is a stateless person trying to make a living to support himself. But this is impossible, as no country recognises him as a citizen.
Adelin was born on February 14, 1992, in a refugee camp...