Studying Law in South Africa and refugees have reported being forced to pay money in order to get services at these offices. Otherwise, they risk being undocumented and subject to arrest, detention, and deportation. ACMS, LHR, and UCT would like to gather data highlighting the scope of the problem.
Boulders Beach on many tours, went to the local markets, went to different shows and performances, and sometimes just hung out at the hotel and chatted with the hotel staff and visitors of the hotel. There were visitors from all over the world and even some people from our hometowns in the states. Did you participate in any of the externship opportunities? If so, where did you work and what was your experience like? I did not participate in an externship, but I did participate in a research project implemented by The University of Cape Town Refugee Rights Unit (UCT), the African Centre for Migration and Society (ACMS) at Wits University, and Lawyers for Human Rights (LHE) which is geared towards human rights and refugee rights in particular. Many people go to South Africa from their home country as political refugees or just looking for a better way of life. In order to maintain their status as a refugee or asylum seeker, they must visit the refugee offices located throughout the country to keep their permits updated. By keeping their information up-to-date, they are allowed to remain in South Africa without being deported, detained, or fined. Many asylum seekers
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A view of Cape Town from Robben Island.
Annual 2013 Edition
During my experience, I conducted surveys of the refugees and asylum seekers as they made their way to and from the refugee office. Almost all of the individuals I spoke to knew of the corruption going on at the refugee offices. Some of them told me how they waited 12 to 14 hours in long lines to be seen and were asked to pay to be allowed into the facilities. When they weren’t able to pay, they were sometimes turned away or had to return the next day until they could be seen. Were you able to forge relationships with South African law students and lawyers? If so, what were some of the things you learned from them about being a South African law student and lawyer? One major thing that I learned from interacting with the South African students was how hard their struggle
Cape of Good Hope