Programme News
6 May 2015
(News)
A Supreme Court of Appeal order that it the Port Elizabeth refugee reception office be reopened by July 1 is incorrect and an unwarranted intrusion into the executive domain, says the Department of Home Affairs.
The department has applied to the Constitutional Court to set aside the court’s order made on March 25.
Refugee reception offices provide services to those who want to apply for...
29 April 2015
(News)
The recent surge of violence against foreign nationals in South Africa has raised fears that South Africans abroad may be at risk of similar violence. These fears have some basis as the media has reported incidents in Mozambique of the stoning of South African trucks and expressions of concern raised by foreign governments and international institutions such as the African Union.
These reactions...
29 April 2015
(Press release)
The Southern Africa Litigation Centre and Lawyers for Human Rights are hosting a seminar on the deterioration of the Rule of Law and Freedom of Expression in Swaziland.
Date: 30th April
Venue: Constitutional Court Auditorium
Time: to be seated at 9h45 for 10h00- 12h00
Programme
9h45 Arrival and seating
10h00 Welcome and introduction: Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh, Executive...
17 April 2015
(Press release)
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) is disturbed and worried by the serious lack of strong and coherent leadership as xenophobic violence continues to spread across the country, reaching crisis point in Durban and displacing thousands of foreign nationals. This is eerily reminiscent of the 2008 attacks that resulted in the death of over 60 people.
We are pleased that President Jacob Zuma has...
16 April 2015
(News)
Parliament’s portfolio committee on home affairs released a statement last week — titled, Flouting of immigration regulations a concern — in which it warned foreign nationals in SA not to commit crimes and put "in jeopardy the basis on which they are in SA".
The committee quoted instances from the recent mugging of South African Broadcasting Corporation journalists to...
15 April 2015
(Press release)
Lawyers for Human Rights continues to monitor and assist victims of xenophobic violence that has again erupted across South Africa.
These interventions have focused on short, medium and long term solutions.
Several people have been killed so far in the attacks and thousands more injured and displaced. The spike in the violence raised questions of whether these attacks simply flare up every few...
15 April 2015
(Press release)
Lawyers for Human Rights continues to monitor and assist victims of xenophobic violence that has again erupted across South Africa.
These interventions have focused on short, medium and long term solutions.
Several people have been killed so far in the attacks and thousands more injured and displaced. The spike in the violence raised questions of whether these attacks simply flare up every few...
9 April 2015
(News)
The unlawful detention of foreign nationals at the infamous Lindela Repatriation Centre continues despite a court order.
The court order states Home Affairs must take “all steps reasonably necessary or appropriate” to ensure that no person is detained for longer than 30 days without a warrant. The Legal Resources Centre said they are deeply concerned by the “flagrant disregard...
9 April 2015
(News)
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) is challenging the constitutionality of sections of the Immigration Act which do not make provision for detainees to be brought before court in person to challenge the lawfulness of their detention.
LHR’s head of detention monitoring, Lesirela Letsebe, said in an affidavit before the High Court in Pretoria that hundreds of foreigners were unlawfully held at...
9 April 2015
(News)
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) has applied for sections of the Immigration Act to be declared unconstitutional because they deny immigration detainees the right to be brought before court to challenge the lawfulness of their detention.
Judge Billy Mothle yesterday postponed the application indefinitely in the North Gauteng High Court, allowing the department of home affairs to file opposing...