Press Review January 2020
NATIONAL COVERAGE
Government tightens its grip on refugees and asylum seekers
Timeslive.co.za January 5, 2020
Tough new regulations to control the movement and activities of refugees and asylum seekers, including a ban on political activity and immediate detention on grounds of national security, have been implemented in South Africa. Furthermore, they also make it more difficult for refugees and asylum seekers to enter South Africa in the first place.
The new regulations under the Refugees Act took effect on January 1, 2020.
South Africa takes fresh steps to restrict rights of refugees
Theconversation.com February 5, 2020
The new regulations to the Refugee Act have been heavily criticized by civil society organizations. The government has been accused of violating South Africa’s Constitution and the UN Convention on Refugees. There are also concerns about the line of argument being pursued by the Department of Home Affairs in its justification of the restrictions, and the government’s apparent disregard for the value of political voice.
Full report: https://theconversation.com/south-africa-takes-fresh-steps-to-restrict-rights-of-refugees-130606
The families facing generations of statelessness in South Africa
Aljazeera.com January 28, 2020
There are many families in South Africa that face statelessness, which has a knock-on effect that spans generations. Aljazeera installed a four-part series on stateless children in South Africa, which tells the stories of these families. To read the features, click on the link below.
REGIONAL COVERAGE
UNHCR seeks international solidarity for refugees and hosts in Sudan
Unhcr.org January 14, 2020
The UNHCR is calling for an increased support for Sudan with the launch of a new funding appeal. Sudan has a long history of hosting refugees and asylum seekers but also struggles with its own internal displacement, while facing a severe economic crisis. UNHCR’s plea comes at a time when the country is going through a historical political transitions, and requires international solidarity to achieve peace and stability.
Libya militias rake in millions in European migration funds: AP
Aljazeera.com December 31, 2019
When the European Union started funnelling millions of euros into Libya to slow the tie of mgirants crossing the Mediterranean, the money came with EU promises to improve detention centres notorious for abuse and fight human trafficking. That has not happened. Instead, the AP found that in a country with a functioning government, huge sums of European money has been diverted to intertwined networks of militiamen, traffickers and coast guard members who exploit migrants.
EU aid money for Africa may harm, not help, analysis finds
Washingtonpost.com January 30, 2020
European aid money earmarked for development in Africa is increasingly tied to how well countries can block their own citizens from trying to migrate across the Mediterranean and may be hurting the very people it is ostensibly intended to help, according to an analysis by the aid group Oxfam. There is no one tracking the money beginning to end.
INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE
People urgently fleeing climate crisis cannot be sent home, UN rules
Bbc.com January 20, 2020
People fleeing immediate danger tue to the climate crisis cannot be forced to return home, the UN has said. The ruling centres on the case of Ioane Teitiota, whose home – an island in the Pacific – is threatened by rising sea levels.
Teitiota applied for protection in New Zealand, but the UN rejected his claim, saying he wasn’t in immediate danger. However, the wording of the ruling allows others to claim asylum based on climate change.
Full report: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-51179931?fbclid=IwAR1BThgTCsGpHvl3c_osD6xW46ZmlyucMLHT7L1T2dFi4cLZRuDgEHc6sow
Norway opens its doors to 600 people evacuated from Libya to Rwanda
Theguardian.com January 10, 2020
Refugees and asylum seekers who found respite in Rwanda camp after escaping conflict in Libya will be resettled in Norway. Norway’s four-party government coalition agreed last year to accept a total of 3,000 refugees from UN camps in 2020.
Africa: Over 1,000 Migrants Died On Sea to Europe in 2019 – IOM
Allafrica.com January 7, 2020
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said 1,283 individuals died trying to migrate to Europe through the Mediterranean Sea in 2019. The Mediterranean has claimed the lives of at least 19,164 migrants since 2014. The route remains the region’s deadliest corridor.
Full report: https://allafrica.com/stories/202001080026.html?fbclid=IwAR31wHumI9m2AcgwonuwPUokQvCfY0c7gXMiDs8O5Kc-YsTwtdQmF6UMmV4
Photo by Juliana Malta on Unsplash
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