Programme News
13 July 2015
(News)
Although the Department of Home Affairs claimed new visa regulations were needed to protect tens of thousands of children who were trafficked in South Africa, it now appears it was a gross exaggeration.
Home Affairs has for some time quoted a figure of 30,000 children being trafficked in or through South Africa annually to justify the draconian new visa regulations, which have the tourism...
10 July 2015
(News)
The High Court in Pretoria has ruled that foreign children who enter South Africa with a relative who qualifies as an asylum seeker should be included as a dependent.
The ruling was made on Thursday, said Zita Hansungule of the Centre for Child Law in a statement.
"This gives the child immediate protection and ensures that they are not separated from people with whom they have a relationship...
1 July 2015
(News)
On 24 June the Pretoria High Court struck from the roll an application by Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) that tried to put an urgent end to Operation Fiela. Lara Wallis explains why this is deeply concerning.
As Operation Fiela has swept through the country, it has violated the rights of many people, both South Africans and foreigners. LHR’s urgent application to interdict unlawful search...
30 June 2015
(News)
The Kutlwanong Democracy Centre was launched at the end of May. The centre is located at 357 Visagie Street in Pretoria.
The national director of Lawyers for Human Rights, Jacob van Garderen told De Rebus that the centre is a unique hub for civil society in Pretoria. He said it brings together a range of organisations working in human rights, social assistance and development.
Services offered at...
25 June 2015
(News)
Stereotypes and myths have largely informed South Africans’ views on issues of migration and foreign nationals. These myths perpetuate xenophobia in South Africa and are used seemingly as a basis for policy decisions around migration.
Extensive research by institutions such as the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) and African Centre for Migration and Society has gone a long way in...
24 June 2015
(Press release)
The urgent high court application to interdict the government from continuing with Operation Fiela-Reclaim raids unless legislative provisions are adhered to has been removed from the urgent roll in the high court in Pretoria.
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) brought the challenge in light of grave concerns around the legality of Operation Fiela-Reclaim - a joint operation conducted by the police,...
24 June 2015
(News)
Beliefs that foreigners "steal" our jobs and drain services fuel xenophobia and inform government policy. LHR dissects three myths about SA migrants.
Laywers for Human Rights has seen an alarming number of police operations aimed at closing down migrant-owned businesses. (M&G, Paul Botes)
Stereotypes and myths have largely informed South Africans’ views on issues of migration...
22 June 2015
(Press release)
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) has launched a high court challenge against the way in which Operation Fiela-Reclaim is being conducted across the country.
LHR is seeking an order declaring that the way in which this operation has been conducted in people’s homes is unlawful and unconstitutional to the extent that they were carried out without proper compliance with the need for...
19 June 2015
(Press release)
On this World Refugee Day, the People’s Coalition against Xenophobia commends the positive contributions that those who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, civil strife and persecution have made in their new adopted homes. Around the globe, communities will be celebrating the ingenuity and resilience of these groups.
Tragically, millions of people will mark this day in...
18 June 2015
(Press release)
The willful non-compliance by the South African government of a high court order preventing the departure of Sudan President Omar Al Bahir is cause for grave concern for the rule of law in the country. FIDH, ACJPS and LHR were alarmed that despite the court order preventing his exit, Al Bashir – who was attending the African Union summit in South Africa – was able to leave without...