The Commissioner, Archbishop, religious leaders, members of the civil society and authorities have been involved in ongoing efforts to peacefully resolve the stand-off that has been caused by asylum seekers and refugees who have been occupying spaces outside of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) offices in Cape Town. Their efforts of negotiating a peaceful resolution to a situation which has given rise to serious human rights concerns led to a serious assault on both these mediators.

The SAHRC calls on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to arrest the perpetrators of this assault. Apart from the Common Law crime of assault, the Commission draws specific attention to sections 4 (3) and 22 (g) of the South African Human Rights Act of 2013, Act 40 of 2013 (SAHRC Act) which clearly criminalises the assault against Commissioner Nissen, and views this incident in a serious light.

The Commission however, cautions against this act being used as an indictment against a vulnerable group, being non-nationals – in particular asylum seekers and refugees. The Commission calls on all within society not to use this incident or the associated occupation of UNHCR offices in Pretoria and Cape Town, by some refugees and asylum seekers, as an excuse for acts of xenophobia.

The Commission will continue in its efforts to resolve the occupation of UNHCR offices by refugees and asylum seekers. The Commission re-iterates that the occupation of UNHCR offices do not serve the needs of asylum seekers and refugees, as resettlement is entirely based on the willingness of receiving countries of final destination. The Commission, the UNHCR and authorities will continue in their endeavours to address the concerns of the group of asylum seekers and refugees concerned, as well as all other non-nationals in South Africa who are concerned by acts of xenophobia.

The Commission however demands that all parties concerned remain committed to non-violent resolution of the situation in an effort to find a sustainable, practical solution to the concerns raised.

– Ends –

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission

Gushwell Brooks – Communications Co-ordinator: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Alucia Sekgathume Tel: 082 689 2364 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.