On the 29 June 2012, the DHA closed the RRO in Cape Town and has refused to accept new applications for asylum since then. As a result of this violation of asylum seekers’ rights, our partner, the Scalabrini Centre, brought an application to court. Despite an interim order from the Court in July 2012 requiring that DHA assist all asylum seekers, the RRO in Cape Town has remained inaccessible to newcomers for more than 8 months.
The DHA continued to defy the order even after the court dismissed DHA’s leave to appeal the interim relief order on August 30th. Since June, hundreds of asylum seekers in Cape Town and have been unable to acquire documentation. As a result, they have lived in fear of being detained and deported to countries where their lives and freedom are at risk.
In addition, many of the asylum seekers have been unable to access health care and schools because they were unable to acquire documentation from the DHA. Their human rights have been violated over and over again.
PASSOP is very pleased that the High Court has delivered this judgement and that asylum seekers’ rights are being protected. We call on the DHA to comply with the decision and stop undermining the rights of asylum seekers and to accept, respect and enforce the rule of law.
For comment contact Langton Miriyoga on 084 0269658 for comment.
Post published in: News