General Debate Statement by the South African Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Ms Fatima Chohan, on the occasion of the Sixty-Sixth Session of the Executive Committee of the UNHCR, Geneva
Mr Chairperson
South Africa under the leadership of late President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela signed the 1967 Refugee Convention without any reservations being recorded.
Our law allows for individual claims for asylum to be adjudicated. Asylum Seekers have freedom of movement and can work and study in the country. A refugee, in addition is able to access a range of social services including government grants and housing. There are also opportunities to convert refugee status into long term residence. South Africa spends over R1, 3 billion in public schooling for foreign learners. These government support initiatives should be considered in light of the government’s efforts to address the historic deprivation on the part of the local population.
Between 2008 and 2012, South Africa has been the country in receipt of the highest number of asylum applications in the world. During the five years between 2008 and 2012 we received on average 150 000 new applications per year. We are a country and not a continent.
You will forgive us Mr Chairman that we remain bemused that 380 000 persons of concern cause the European Union ( a continent of 28 countries) a crisis.
In this regard we have accorded 250 000 Zimbabweans work visas in South Africa many of whom used the Asylum regime to primarily access economic opportunities. Let us be clear in light of the discussions this afternoon about leaders having to listen to the voters, these measures in South Africa are not necessarily popular, but leaders must lead, and to shine the light ahead toward a better world for all.
While we are also concerned about the negative impact of mixed migration and the perils that this brings to countries, the wisest cause of action will be for world leaders to commit themselves to above all peace, economic justice, and equal trade and development opportunities for all countries.
African countries host almost 4 million refugees and over 11 million IDP across the continent, a significant number of whom eventually find their way to South Africa.
European countries are currently experiencing the consequences of decades of war and deliberate destabilization in countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria. Enduring solutions to forced migration are only to be found in peace and prosperity for all.
Indeed in the last two decades world leaders have proven that war-making is easier than peace-making, but also that war begets more and bigger war.
We are very thankful and proud of the fact that the Geneva Canton and Council have recently inaugurated a Monument to President Nelson Mandela just opposite the headquarters of the UNHCR - which should evoke the values and principles of this global icon and remind us to strive to make the world a better place for humanity.
We recall how Madiba spared no personal effort to prevent the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan - and when his calls to the then President George Bush Junior fell on deaf ears Madiba called his father urging former President George Bush Senior to impose his fatherly wisdom on his misguided young son. The world thought that was a quaint act on the part of Madiba, reminiscent of his old-school mannerism. With hindsight we may reflect on this singular act as a desperate effort of a great champion of Peace and Justice to avert the interminable SUFFERING of millions, and to prevent a direct onslaught on International Law of Nations that has been bequeathed to Humanity by Antiquity.
Regime change at all costs in the name of democracy continues to cost humanity its Peace - and has, and will continue to deprive many millions the right to human dignity and equal opportunity to prosper.
We should not be surprised that the problem has now escalated to our backyards, whether in Southern Africa or in Northern Europe. That the "haves" continue to dominate the landscape of international polity and development at the expense of the "have- nots" points to a bleak outcome for all of the people of the world.
We are quick to classify human beings as "the other" based on race, religion or ideology today, it is almost as if history has taught us no lessons of the destruction that can be caused by this kind of thinking, the Nazi Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide and the crime of Apartheid have seemingly all been forgotten and in an ardent display of small mindedness some today shamefully continue to undermine our common humanity.
The world needs to recommit itself to ensuring that refugees who flee persecution and war are treated with dignity and hospitality.
South Africa would like to offer its gratitude to the High Commissioner and his colleagues the officials of the UNHCR who dedicate themselves to ensuring that humanity is placed at the forefront of their efforts.
Thank you
