South African Home Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma paid tribute to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its members who sustained injuries and lost their lives in the cause of the work of the organisation. Dlamini Zuma was speaking during the 50th High Level Debate of the Executive Committee of the UN High Commission for Refugees which wound up its deliberations in Geneva on Thursday.
In this regard, Dlamini Zuma said "On behalf of the South African government, we wish to extend our deep appreciation to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Gutteres and his office for their role in diligently delivering the protection and assistance mandate to the populations of concern.
"This however took place in the context of serious security challenges. Accordingly we pay tribute to those members of the UN and civil society who sustained injuries and those who lost their lives in pursuit of this noble goal."
"South Africa expresses its appreciation that the UNHCR put time aside from their busy schedule to visit our country. We value the exchange of perspectives between the UNHCR and the South African authorities on how to move forward in the protection and integration of refugees," concluded Dlamini Zuma.
Dlamini Zuma concluded her visit to Geneva by holding a bilateral meeting with Ambassador William Swing, the Director-General of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Geneva on Thursday. She is expected to return to South Africa on Friday ahead of her scheduled address to the World Congress of Gynaecology and Obstetrics on Sunday, 4 October at the Cape Town Convention Centre.
Enquiries:
Siobhan McCarthy
Head of Communication
E-mail: Siobhan.McCarthy@dha.gov.za
Cell: 082 886 6708
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
1 October 2009
Source: Department of Home Affairs (http://www.dha.gov.za)
