The CFCR is particularly concerned about the additional exclusionary grounds of denial of refugee status provided in the Bill, which will be exercised by one individual – namely the Refugee Status Determination Officer (RSDO). These additional exclusionary grounds are based on the ‘reasonable belief’ of the RSDO. They include, for instance, an offence relating to the fraudulent possession of a South African travel document, or the failure of an asylum-seeker to report to a Refugee Reception Office within five days of entry, in the absence of compelling reasons. The additional exclusionary grounds are in addition to the limited grounds stipulated in the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951 Convention), to which South Africa is a signatory and are contrary to the principle of ‘non-refoulement’. The 1951 Convention limits exclusion to individuals guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity, serious non-political crimes, and individuals guilty of acts contrary to the principles of the UN.

Despite its stated objective to combat corruption, the aims of the Bill may be completely defeated, as it affords a great deal of discretion to one individual to exclude refugee status – on grounds which are clearly in contravention of international principles on refugees. There is, furthermore, little oversight on the RSDO’s decision to award refugee status. As such, the CFCR’s submission seeks to align South Africa’s asylum-seeking process with that of both international law, as well as the nation’s Constitution.

Issued by the Centre for Constitutional Rights

 

The FW de Klerk Foundation Annual Conference

The FW de Klerk Foundation Annual Conference – hosted in conjunction with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung – took place on 31 January 2025. The theme of this year’s conference is: “South Africa’s Position in the World Today”.
 

 Esteemed speakers include Ambassador Andreas Peschke (Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany); Magda Wierzycka (CEO of Sygnia); Dr Harlan Cloete (Local Governance and Public Leadership – Research Fellow) and Johan “Rassie” Erasmus (Springbok Coach).