July 2022 - Press Review
Photo by Filip Mishevski on Unsplash
National Coverage
South Africa: UN experts condemn xenophobic violence and racial discrimination against foreign nations
OHCHR, 15 July 2022
The United Nations condemned reports of increasing violence against foreign nationals in South Africa and called for the government to be more accountable against the xenophobic, racist, and hate-inspired speech that impact the population of foreigners in the country. Experts say that the lack of urgency by South Africa’s government to resolve the issues associated with migrants and refugees will lead to “explosive violence.” Further, the experts claim that much of the discrimination of foreigners in South Africa is institutionalized in government policy and South African society as a whole.
Read the full article at: https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/07/south-africa-un-experts-condemn-xenophobic-violence-and-racial
Government sends warning to businesses hiring foreign workers in South Africa
BusinessTech, 19 July 2022
According to the deputy director of corporate accounts at the Department of Home Affairs, the South African government has adopted a zero-tolerance stance on the hiring of illegal foreign workers. Deputy director Makhalemele has stated that he is aware of illegal foreigners in the country and implores employers to ensure legality of every individual they hire. The department is claimed to be taking a “no-mercy” stance and that heads of companies that hire illegally will face charges, fines, and imprisonment.
Read the full article at: https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/608132/government-sends-warning-to-businesses-hiring-foreign-workers-in-south-africa/
Zimbabwe exemption permit saga: Home Affairs facing fresh lawsuit as another challenger enters fray
News24, 27 July 2022
After facing lawsuits by the Helen Suzman Foundation, the Department of Home Affairs is now facing another challenge—this time from the Zimbabwean Immigration Federation (ZIF). The challenge—directed at DHS, President Ramaphosa, SAPS, SANDF, and the Border Management Authority—seeks to interdict the arrest or deportation of ZEP holders after the expiration of their permits at the end of the year. The second part of the challenge seeks to have DHS review the decision to cancel the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit.
Read the full article at: https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/zimbabwean-exemption-permit-court-battle-underway-to-stop-arrests-deportations-20220727
ANC wants tighter citizenship laws to keep out ‘undeserving’ foreigners
Financialmail, 29 July 2022
The ANC has state that spousal and relational visas should be nullified on the basis that the system is being abused by foreign nationals seeking to settle in South Africa. The party argues that some of the world’s most developed countries have strict migration laws and that South Africa should model their policies similarly in order to “protect the rights of their citizens.”
Read the full article at: https://www.businesslive.co.za/fm/fm-fox/2022-07-29-anc-wants-tighter-citizenship-laws-to-keep-out-undeserving-foreigners/
Regional Coverage
22 Malians, including children, die in boat disaster off Libya
AlJazeera, 6 July 2022
The United Nations and the Malian government confirmed that 22 individuals—children included were found dead off the coast of Libya. The IOM revealed that the deceased were made up of a group of mostly Malian citizens that were a part of a larger group of 83 individuals. The IOM says that the remaining 61 individuals were rescued and taken back to the Libyan shores. This comes after concerns about a rising hunger crisis being driven by the Ukrainian war across the continent of Africa.
Read the full article at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/6/22-malian-migrants-die-in-boat-disaster-off-libyan-coast
Morocco claims migrants died of ‘asphyxiation’
Africanews, 13 July 2022
The National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) stated that the migrants who passed away recently in the June 24 stampede on the border of the Spanish enclave of Melilla suffered from mechanical asphyxiation. The cause of death was announced after allegations about excessive use of force against the police in the region were made by the United Nations, and African Union, and many different NGOs. The CNDH argued that the deaths were not a result of the police’s use of force and that their use of force came as a result of many of the migrants being armed with sticks and stones and posing a threat to the officers.
Read the full article at: https://www.africanews.com/2022/07/13/morocco-claims-migrants-died-of-asphyxiation/
Dozens of migrants rescued in Nigerien desert - UN
Africanews, 15 July 2022
A UN report revealed that 44 West African migrants were rescued in Niger amidst their journey to Libya. The IOM and Niger’s civil protection agency assisted the migrants to a migration centre in the city of Dirkou where they are said to be receiving “essential humanitarian assistance.” The news comes shortly after reports of 10 migrant bodies being found near the Libyan border in the Nigerien city of Dirkou.
Read the full article at: https://www.africanews.com/2022/07/15/dozens-of-migrants-rescued-in-nigerien-desert-un/
Desperation and hope drive migrants onto ‘boats of death’ in Tunisia
CNN, 22 July 2022
A CNN report investigated the increased migration flow through the country of Tunisia as a pathway to European borders for many migrants across the African continent. The investigation seeks to shed light on the treacherous journey that many migrants—many of which are also Tunisian—are taking in order to reach better situations in Europe. The report touches onto individual stories and speaks on the struggles experienced by families and victims of the dangerous migration.
Read the full article at: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/22/africa/tunisia-mother-migrant-crisis-intl-cmd/index.html
ANALYSIS | Christopher Changwe Nshimbi: Migration is a decisive factor in African integration
News24, 26 July 2022
An investigative analysis by Christopher Nshimbi reveals that the conversation surrounding migration across Africa must shift in order for people to acknowledge the significant benefits to migration. He states that the decrease of restrictions around movement in the continent comes with substantial benefits and nations should also acknowledge the significant economic benefits that come with the increased flow of cross-border movement.
Read the full article at: https://www.news24.com/news24/analysis/analysis-christopher-changwe-nshimbi-migration-is-a-decisive-factor-in-african-integration-20220726
International Coverage
WHO report shows poorer health outcomes for many vulnerable refugees and migrants
World Health Organization, 20 July 2022
According to a WHO report, migrant communities across the world are facing lower health outcomes in comparison to those who are members of their host communities. Extensive review shows that the lower health outcomes aren’t on the basis of inherently poor health, but rather, the result of suboptimal health determinants including education, access to services, and income—all of which are compounded by issues such as legal barriers.
Read the full article at: https://www.who.int/news/item/20-07-2022-who-report-shows-poorer-health-outcomes-for-many-vulnerable-refugees-and-migrants
Visa application backlog risks causing ‘human misery and economic carnage’ due to understaffing, says Labor MP
The Guardian, 20 July 2022
Australian Labor MP, Julian Hill, stated that the Australian government should make efforts to clear the backlog of visa applications in order to clear the home affairs’ name. The statement is followed by claims that the government’s lack of urgency will lead to a continued development of animosity against the department as many people seeking a visa in the country will grow much more impatient and dissatisfied with their efforts.
Read the full article at: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jul/21/visa-application-backlog-risks-causing-human-misery-and-economic-carnage-due-to-understaffing-says-labor-mp
Italy opens humanitarian corridor for 300 Afghan refugees
AP News, 25 July 2022
The Italian government has organized a new humanitarian corridor along with charities and international organizations to offer additional refugees who have been persecuted in Afghanistan the “possibility of a future in dignity and security.” 300 Afghan citizens arrived in Rome and the Foreign Ministry says that the corridor hopes to transfer 1200 Afghan refugees with priority given to women and children.
Read the full article at: https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-iran-pakistan-migration-f6b6e805d84a49b173877e6eb3bf82cd
Mexico: 94 migrants found in abandoned freight container
DW, 29 July 2022
94 undocumented migrants were found in a semi-truck trailer in Mexico and rescued by the efforts of locals who assisted in their escape. This comes shortly 50 migrants were found dead in a semi-truck trailer in San Antonio, Texas. The police report stated that the migrants were left abandoned in the trailer by the truck driver and were all found alive—few of which had sustained minor injuries during their escape from the trailer.
Read the full article at: https://www.dw.com/en/mexico-94-migrants-found-in-abandoned-freight-container/a-62634280
Categories:
Tags: