Mr chairperson
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Antonio Guterres
Honourable ministers
Excellencies
Distinguished delegates
Ladies and gentlemen
It is indeed my pleasure to deliver this statement, on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of South Africa, at this 61st Executive Committee meeting of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Our delegation would like to assure you of our full cooperation during this session of the Executive Committee.
I would also like to align my delegation to the statement delivered on behalf of the African group.
May I take this opportunity on behalf of our President Jacob Zuma, the government and people of South Africa to extend our gratitude to the international community present here today for the support given to our country during its hosting of the historic and successful 2010 FIFA World Cup.
We also commend the UNHCR, under the leadership of Mr Guterres, for consistently expending all efforts to assist the vulnerable refugee populations of the world. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has diligently executed its protection and assistance mandate. The office should be commended on its tireless efforts in seeking long-term solutions for persons falling under its mandate.
The concern of our government is that the escalating armed conflict and the obstruction of access to displaced and vulnerable persons to movement and asylum possibilities, is challenging the capacity of UNHCR to fulfil its mandate. Also worrying is the fact that humanitarian organisations and personnel have increasingly come under threat.
Mr chairperson,
During the 60th session of the EXCOM, we referred to efforts made in reviewing South Africa's immigration policy. As South Africa, we have a positive approach to migration and it will contribute to our economic, social and cultural development. Indeed, many of the big economies were and continue to be built by migrants.
The mixed migratory flows into South Africa continue to pose a challenge and as a result we have begun the review of our immigration policy. We are also amending the Refugee Act in order to improve the status determination and integration process.
Mr chairperson,
South Africa has recently announced its decision to regularise the stay of undocumented Zimbabweans in the country. The agreement with the Zimbabwean government entails the issuance of machine readable valid travel documents through the Zimbabwean embassy and consulate in South Africa.
Upon acquisition of these travel documents, the Zimbabwean nationals are expected to approach Home Affairs offices throughout the country, to apply for work, study or business permits.
We are inspired by the large volumes of Zimbabwean nationals who have turned up at our offices, taking advantage of the South African government's offer to regularise their stay, live in dignity in South Africa and to end the misery of living under the cloud of uncertainty and vulnerability.
In pursuance of this objective, both the South African and Zimbabwean governments have established a joint task team to assist in achieving this objective.
Critical to note is that the South African government has also extended amnesty to Zimbabwean nationals who hand over fraudulently acquired South African identity documents and permits.
In addition, we have established a stakeholder forum consisting of representatives of the South African and Zimbabwean embassy and consulate, and various Zimbabwean non-governmental organisations (NGOs) based in South Africa, to deal with any obstacles that may pose a threat to the achievement of this overall objective.
This offer will end on 31 December this year. The documentation of Zimbabweans is but a beginning of a process that will lead to the documentation of nationals of other countries neighbouring South Africa.
Mr chairperson,
The African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa was signed by some heads of states during the Kampala Summit.
A regional conference on mixed migration flows from the Horn, Central and Great Lakes region to Southern Africa was hosted by Tanzania in September 2010. The conference allowed states, civil society and international organisations to devise strategies to respond to mixed migratory movement in an effective and coordinated manner.
South Africa has noted the United Nations Convention for the protection of migrant workers and their families and we will subject the convention to domestic legislative processes with a view to ratifying the convention.
South Africa also remains concerned about the needs of the vulnerable, not least refugees in protracted situations and their host countries, during these difficult global financial and economic times.
We would like to join the call to thank all donors who have actively contributed to allow the UNHCR to fulfill its mandate. Simultaneously, we call on donor countries to make timely and adequate funding available to the UNHCR to address the identified needs of the organisation.
It is critical for the international community to intervene expeditiously in conflict situations, which is a fundamental source of cross-border refugees and internally displaced persons.
South Africa would again like to re-iterate its call to all stakeholders to commit them to comprehensive, multilateral and multi-sectoral collaboration and action in addressing the root causes of protracted refugee situations. Together, we can make a difference.
Mr chairperson,
In conclusion, we look forward to continue working with member states, the UNHCR and its partners to develop sustainable solutions to address the challenge of forced displacement in Africa and the world.
I thank you!
Statement by Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Home Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, on the occasion of the 61st Executive Committee (EXCOM) meeting of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Geneva, Switzerland
