YOUR GOVERNMENT NEEDS YOU.
In November 2023, the Department of Home Affairs, under the leadership of Minister Aaron Motsoaledi released a white paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection: Towards a complete overall of the migration system in South Africa.
WHAT IS A WHITE PAPER & WHY SHOULD I CARE:
It is a public consultation policy paper released by the Department of Home Affairs. The government needs your contribution and support to amend the current law that deals with Citizenship, Immigration, and Refugee protection in South Africa.
The government needs your mandate, as a citizen, to change the current law. When you submit your comment and support the white paper, you are giving the government a mandate to change the law.
WHAT DOES THE GOVERNMENT WANT TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS WHITE PAPER
To reduce conflict among Africans: Locals and Foreigners. The current laws are weak and outdated, they create a fertile ground for conflict between black Africans.
Migration as an international phenomenon is unavoidable, however, migration should be managed through effective policies and legislative measures, failure to do so results in chaos and difficulties.
The government wants to have a solid immigration Act. Currently, many laws are governing Immigration & Refugees. All of them are weak, outdated, and can be easily abused.
WHAT CAN I DO AS A CITIZEN TO SUPPORT THE GOVT?
You can write an email to: whitepaper@dha.gov.za
Subject: White Paper support
Message: “I support the overhaul of immigration system in RSA, as per Nov 2023 White Paper by DHA.”
From: Your name & surname
Closing Date: 19 January 2024
| Email Address | Subject | Message |
| whitepaper@dha.gov.za | White Paper support | “I support the overhaul of immigration system in RSA, as per Nov 2023 White Paper by DHA.” From: Your name & surname |
WHAT ABOUT THE CURRENT REFUGEE ACT? WHAT DOES IT SAY?
The current Refugee Act was passed in 1998. South Africa is bound by international law to guarantee and protect the human rights of asylum seekers.
* South Africa agreed to various international agreements such as the:
* 1951 CONVENTION
* 1967 PROTOCOL
* 1969 OAU CONVENTION.
This was done without the government, having developed a clear policy on migration including refugee protection.
South Africa did not make any reservations in respect of the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol this was a serious mistake on the part of the government.
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF OTHER COUNTRIES IN RESPECT TO THE 1951 CONVENTION AND 1967 PROTOCOL
* Many countries have made reservations regarding both the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol.
* Other countries such as India, have not agreed to the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol.
* Many countries around the world are part of the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol, but they applied for reservation. Meaning that they are not following the convention in full. They put their citizens first. They are not bound to protect and provide for the immigrant and refugees.
List of the countries that have made reservations to the 1951 Convention:
Zimbabwe
Zambia
Swaziland
Angola
Botswana
Ethiopia
France
Malawi
Mozambique
Netherlands
Somalia
Sweden
Uganda
UK
Ireland.
List of countries who have made reservation to the 1967 Protocol:
Angola
Botswana
Congo
eSwatini
China
Malawi
Netherlands
Portugal
United States of America
United Kingdom
Ireland.
South Africa did not make any reservations in respect of the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol this was a serious mistake on the part of the government.
You can download and read the full version of the White Paper here
