2 October 2007
The Minister of Home Affairs, Mapisa-Nqakula delivered a statement at the
58th Session of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Excom
on Monday, 1 October 2007 on behalf of the South African delegation.
The Minister began her statement by expressing South Africa's support for
the reform process currently under way in the broader system of the United
Nations (UN) and its specialised agencies, of which the UNHCR is one of the
most important. She echoed the sentiments expressed by President Mbeki during
his recent address to the UN General Assembly that new reforms should not be
undertaken for the benefit of only a few powerful countries, but to bring a
better life to the poor and vulnerable.
In reporting on specific refugee-related challenges faced by South Africa,
the Minister provided background of what is known as a 'mixed flow' of refugees
and economic migrants. Both refugees who are likely to meet the requirements of
the refugee convention and economic migrants have come to South Africa in
increasing numbers, which has caused pressure on the refugee status
determination process and resulted in backlogs. She reflected on the heightened
debate on this issue in South Africa and indicated that the turnaround process
in which the department is presently involved, particularly relating to
migration management generally, will increase efficiency and thereby reduce the
risk of the recurrence of a backlog in the future.
South Africa supported the Conclusion on Children at Risk and the Minister
closed her statement by thanking the UNHCR for their support.
In response, the High Commissioner agreed that South Africa was a very good
example of a situation where the nexus between migration and refugee protection
plays itself out. He commended the commitment of the Minister and the South
African government to engage with the complex issues involved. For instance he
acknowledged the obligation of the government to protect the security interests
of the country on the one hand, while on the other ensuring that the rights of
refugees were protected, including improving access to social services.
He expressed his appreciation at having spent two days with the Minister in
Cape Town and Johannesburg in August as they both engaged with local refugee
communities. He concluded by expressing the opinion that with the support of
the UNHCR the Republic of South Africa's policies and processes could become
the benchmark for responses to mixed migration flows.
For further information contact:
Cleo Mosana
Spokesperson
Cell: 082 902 8796
Enquiries:
Jacky Mashapu
Acting Head of Communication
Cell: 082 885 8449
E-mail: Jacky.Mashapu@dha.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
2 October 2007
Source: Department of Home Affairs (http://www.dha.gov.za)
