[DEBATE] : Legal rights information for displaced persons

[Dominic Tweedie]

LEGAL RIGHTS INFORMATION FOR ALL DISPLACED PERSONS IN THE WESTERN CAPE
Posted: 02 Jun 2008 10:12 AM CDT

WESTERN CAPE CIVIL SOCIETY COALITION AGAINST XENOPHOBIA
LEGAL RIGHTS INFORMATION FOR ALL DISPLACED PERSONS IN THE WESTERN CAPE

If you are in a shelter or a safe place you have the right not to be
forcibly moved to a camp or anywhere else against your will. Call the
numbers below if anyone tries to move you against your will.

If you are in a camp you have the right to freedom of movement and you
may leave at any time. Call the numbers below if you are prevented
from leaving.

Many people have asked to be sent to a third country or country of
origin. You should know that the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission
for Refugees) is mandated to provide refugees with assistance. The
current position of the UNHCR is that:

* Displaced persons do not have an automatic right to be resettled. It
depends on the circumstances of each person;
* The UNHCR only has a duty to assist people that are refugees.
* Not all people who are displaced are considered refugees.
* People who are not considered refugees will be provided counselling
and referred to other agencies the UNHCR has said that it will not
send anyone back to their country of origin unless they are certain
that the person can return in dignity and safety.

You can contact the UNHCR to get assistance or information about the above.

UNHCR Pretoria (SOUTH AFRICA), (012) 354 8303/ 8367
UNHCR Geneva (GENEVA), 00 41 22 739 7801

South African officials:

Protection Officer for the UNHCR, 071 603 3086
UNHCR Deputy Representative, 082 770 4189


If you need LEGAL ASSISTANCE you should contact the following organizations:

UCT Law Clinic (University of Cape Town), 021 650 3775
Legal Resources Centre, 021 423 8285
AIDS Law Project, 021 422 1490

If you have suffered trauma and violence and need counselling, inform
the people running your shelter who should try to find you a
counsellor. Or contact:
Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence & Torture, 021 465 7373

If you need help with family tracing you can contact:
Red Cross, 021 532 0202 a/h 083 994 7662