Cape Town – Refugees and asylum seekers
sheltering next to Greenmarket Square’s Central Methodist Mission Church are awaiting the release of a group of arrested protesters who recently invaded UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) premises in
Pretoria, before they walk to bordering countries.
They said they planned to walk to bordering countries if South Africa didn’t help them relocate to friendly
countries.
Demanding the refugees’ release from jail, refugee leader Jean-Pierre Bacous said: “We condemn the actions of the UNHCR in South Africa and the fact that they went and opened a case of trespassing against the very people whom they claim to protect and save.”
The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) met with representatives of the UNHCR on Tuesday to raise the concerns of refugees and asylum seekers.
SAHRC provincial commissioner Chris Nissen said refugee leaders had asked him to approach the UNHCR to discuss resettlement on an individual basis.
“We were to discuss with the UNHCR to verify the documents and to establish the status of those
people who went for the interviews for
resettlement.
“We told the refugees that whatever message the UN gives us, we will pass on to them.
‘“We will report back to them as soon as we have met with the UN representatives.”